We are always looking for something a little different. Whether it’s in our choice of clothes, art or furniture. Food is no different. We like variety and like to see the creative on the plate. As eating out becomes more a way of life in Kathmandu many diners are looking towards food that appeals to them; not too unfamiliar and yet diverse enough to make them part with their money.

With its blend of flavors and cultures, Pan-Asian cuisine can do just that! A Pan-Asian menu consists of dishes from different countries from the whole of Asia. Whether it’s from China, Thailand, Indonesia, or Japan, if it appears on one menu, chances are you are in a Pan-Asian restaurant. In Kathmandu there are a few Pan-Asian restaurants opening up as people venture overseas on holiday and want to recall those memories by eating the same food. Or, for those who don’t get the opportunity to travel, eating Japanese or Thai food might be the next best thing to being there. 

This week I looked at just two Pan-Asian restaurants: Mamagoto, a franchise out of India, and Edamame in the Marriott Kathmandu Hotel. While we all like to get value for our money, sometimes it is better to pay a bit extra and upgrade in terms of experience… 

Mamagoto

Mamagoto: Japanese for “playing house” or “play with food” Having opened in Pani Pokhari earlier this year, Mamagoto is an amazing restaurant in terms of style. Its look is funky, quirky and fun with huge cartoon like posters on the walls and ceiling. This casual dining restaurant states it is a ‘fusion of inspiration from Asian street hawkers, our extensive travels, mad experiences and … secret kitchens…’ With three different seating areas, the restaurant can sit around 50 diners at a time. I’ve been here twice. Both times for lunch. Both times the restaurant was empty except for me.  

Photo: Mahendra Khadka

Luckily the first time I had a friend with me and we made our own fun, taking photographs of the décor and ourselves. Service was slow but we hardly noticed. We wanted the platter to try out the different items on it. This was unavailable. We instead chose Thai Som Tam Salad (Rs 329), Street Chicken Satay (Indonesia, Rs 629), Gado Gado Salad (Indonesia, Rs 429) and Laksa Tribute (Rs 749/ 949/1399). Certainly everything tasted quite authentic, and I was more than happy with the Laksa which took me back to when I worked in Singapore. We tried some of the mocktails, Kiwi and Mint Collins (Rs 240), and Cranberry and Kaffir Lime Punch (Rs240). Pretty tasty too. After the salty and spicy we wanted something sweet. Unfortunately there was only Thai Sticky Rice and Mango and Ice Cream on the menu, both disappointingly small in size.

The second time I went was in order to write this review. After being given the menu it took a further 15 minutes for any waiter to come to ask if I wanted anything. I had previously asked for the lights to be turned on as well as the AC. The lights worked, the AC did not. It was stifling and airless inside. There was no music; no ambiance at all. The open kitchen echoed with the loud chatter of the staff. I guess no one had told the staff it’s supposed to be a fun experience restaurant. Yes, the décor is beautiful, and the food that I have tried was tasty and, to me, authentic, but if they want repeat customers the staff need to live up to the funky, bright, larger than life décor! Call 9810076824 for reservations.

Edamame by Marriott Kathmandu

Edamame: Japanese green soyabeans
Executive Chef Sanjeev Ranjan took us on a culinary tour of Asia in Marriott Kathmandu’s Pan-Asian restaurant, Edamame. And what a tour it turned out to be! We were greeted by smiling staff who settled us at our table. To identify each table, a small wooden log had its own unique spice name engraved in it. 

Photo: Mahendra Khadka

We were seated at table Star Anise before being transferred to the private room which seats 10-12 diners. “Everything in Edamame is unique. From the spice table names, to the local looking place mats, the locally sourced tiger chopstick holders, to the imported chinaware,” explained Chef Ranjan.  

Straight away we were served jasmine tea, water and an amuse bouche (French for a complimentary bite-sized hors d’œuvre). This was a wonderful sushi with delicate plating. Looking around the 56 seat room, I noticed each table was discreetly separated from the next for privacy. 

There is also a live station which you would see in any sushi restaurant, where diners can sit around on very comfortable (and large, thank goodness!) high chairs/ stools.

Focusing on Thai and Japanese food, we were also introduced to Chef Somryethai Syksamai from Thailand (fondly know as Chef Ninja) and Krishna Dhungana, a Nepali who worked in Japan as a sushi chef for 19 years. Chinese style dim sum is also served. In fact we were told starting soon would be a dim sum set lunch menu at the weekends. Dinner is only served from 6.30pm onwards.

Between the dim sum, yakatori, sushi, soups, salads, main courses and desserts it was hard to know what to choose. But thankfully the menu is marked with the chef’s recommendations so we went for those. One of the highlights was the Flaming Salmon. And flaming it was, live at our table! Not a fish eater, I actually did enjoy the salmon, cut thinly as smoked salmon would be. The dim sum consisted of several different kinds ranging from Edamame and Truffle to Chicken Sui Mai (infused with beetroot to give it a bright red color). The Asian Mushroom dim sum was intriguingly black. 

Having lived in Hong Kong and Singapore where dim sum is king, I thought these were outstanding in their lightness of taste and modern appearance. Next we were transported to Thailand with yakitori style Bangkok Street Flair. Oh my, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Skewers of chicken, prawns, tenderloin and pork each had their own individual spices and sauce cooked through them.  Nestled on a bed of mushrooms, ginger, red chilies and other spices I wanted to eat the whole lot myself! 

But luckily I did not as the next course (under the mains) was Tamarind Sesame Duck Breast.  Served with a duck mince filled bao with sesame seed snaps and a plum glaze this was duck breast taken to the next level! 

Photo: Mahendra Khadka

Meantime, the Som Tam (green papaya salad) cleansed the palate while the Gang Khew Whan (homemade green curry) transported us to the Land of Smiles. The small selection of desserts includes Exotic Asian Fruits, Tab Pim Krob, or chestnut jelly with coconut milk, and Japanese Pancakes with bamboo ice cream. We settled for the Sangkaya Ob or baked coconut caramel custard. According to my dining companion, this can be found all over Bangkok. Somehow I have managed to miss it. It is very similar to a crème caramel, but with the Asian addition of coconut.  I will not miss it next time! 

We only took water and jasmine tea with our meal but there is a drinks menu, heavily focusing on Sake and Japanese whisky, but cocktails and mocktails are also available. At a price! In fact, overall, the menu prices were much lower than I anticipated. Except for the drinks. I haven’t mentioned food prices here as a new menu is due out within the next few days (with the same chef specials mentioned here), but as a rough guide expect to pay around Rs 2,500 for the meat and seafood dishes. With the exception of the lobster, which is much more. 

Thinking about the ambiance of the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised to see that although I had thought Edamame would be ‘a bit posh’, it is in fact very relaxed and laid back. You could come for a business dinner or a family gathering, so flexible is the style. My only (and only) ‘constructive criticism’ is over the music they played. Definitely not very Asian, not even ‘modern Asian’ or in keeping with the overall feel of the place. Someone needs to look at that—please! A shout out to our wonderful waiter, Prakash Paudel, who made the evening even more enjoyable. For reservations call 01-4443040.