The new limited-edition menu at Kubo is a must-try for Bengalureans, especially those who love seafood and are looking for something hearty yet satisfying.
Kubo will host this limited-edition menu just for the month of August, so book your table and ensure you feast on the delights from the Peranakan food festival. (Marina Paulose/South First)
There are a few cuisines in the world that take care of your ephemeral and eternal needs. Pan-Asian is one of them. I realised this recently at the quaint Pan-Asian restaurant Kubo’s ongoing Peranakan Food Festival. My spirit and senses were elevated on a full stomach.
Climbing up the stairs to the terrace, I notice that the simple décor with airy and spacious seating offers a homely feeling. Pan-Asian cuisine is usually a tricky hill to climb for local establishments, as per my experience. Usually because it’s hard to stick to authenticity while catering to the Indian palate.
The flavour-packed Prawn Sambal & Tamarind Prawn are a must-try at Kubo. (Marina Paulose/South First)
“We have tweaked the flavours a bit to suit the Indian palate and there is an element of fusion in our Peranakan pop-up. A lot of research has gone into this menu with heavy inspiration from cuisines of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore,” Kubo’s head chef Hem Kumar Shrestha, the man behind the limited-edition menu, tells South First.
Right off the bat, I realised that at Kubo, they mean business. It was obvious from the juicy Malaysian-style Prawn Sambal and flash-fried Tamarind Prawn, which left me reeling with their intense flavours.
Fresh, fried to perfection and marinated in a blend of fiery spices that does not overwhelm your senses, both the prawn starters are a must-try.
“Our starters have been doing very well with the crowd since the launch of the new menu,” Shrestha beams. And I have no trouble believing him.
Lamb Rendang Buns. (Marina Paulose/South First)
Next was the Sayor Otak, which is tofu and mushroom barbecued in banana leaves. While the description was appetising, the flavours felt a tad bland. Not just that, the dish felt like an attempt to be the Asian version of the simple yet delicious paneer burji.
My disappointment didn’t last for long as the succulent Lamb Rendang Buns surprised me with their innocuous yet deceptive appearance.
Stuffed with succulent meat and peppered with shallots and Thai basil, the buns were anything but straightforward.
Do try the Pineapple Sambal that comes along with it. It takes the flavours to a whole new level of palate pleasure.
Gulai Ikan & Sumatran Curry. (Marina Paulose/South First)
With the outstanding appetisers having me all in a tizzy, I was expecting an equally grand fare in the mains.
The theme of the mains section of Kubo’s Peranakan menu seemed to be hearty and filling meals that can keep you satiated to your core. Who’s to deny that it lived up to my expectations?
The mild Western Sumatran Curry served with a generous portion of rice, is a warm mix of shiitake, lemongrass, kaffir lime. and tamarind.
If a light, vegetarian fare is on your mind, then this makes for the perfect meal.
Opting for something spicy, I chose the Indonesian Gulai Ikan next. This is a Red Snapper Curry made in the Padang style. The diced and flavourful fish melted in my mouth and every bite was delightful.
Hainanese Chicken Rice. (Marina Paulose/South First)
Soon, I shifted my attention to the bright and sunny Nyonya Laksa Lemak. The soft yellow noodles with chicken, with fried tofu, crowned with a soft-boiled egg on top, really caught my fancy.
While the Peranakan menu was exhaustive and my tummy was jostling for space to accommodate some more, I couldn’t reject the wholesome Hainanese Chicken Rice served with chicken soup and salad. This dish rendered me speechless. It felt like my mum had prepared it for me!
Scooping some nostalgia and rice with the chicken and drenching it in the savoury soup, I took a bite. Sheer bliss! The slow-cooked chicken was protein-perfection, the flavourful rice stood on its own and the salty broth-like soup was like a soothing balm on the palate.
If I have to describe my experience so far, then euphemistically speaking, I felt over-nourished after the mains. Ironically, the dishes were light and delicious, but the portions were unbelievably generous.
Malaysian Black Rice Pudding. (Marina Paulose/South First)
A feat achieved clearly due to the effort into each blend and concoction of flavours.
My sumptuous meal ended with a tall glass of Malaysian Black Rice Pudding, made with sticky black rice, sweet coconut cream, coconut flakes and topped with tender coconut ice cream.
Talk about a refreshing end to a meal while having your palate cleansed at the same time.
Also, I have a feeling that the elderly would love this dessert. The decadent notes of coconut with rice and ice cream are bound to take them right back to their childhood, given the strong South Indian ingredients.
The bottom line? Kubo knows its seafood and spices, and is the perfect place for a long and lazy weekend lunch, “far away from the madding crowd”.
Kubo will host this limited-edition menu just for the month of August, so book your table and ensure you feast on the delights from the Peranakan food festival.
My Picks: Prawn Sambal, Tamarind Prawn, Lamb Rendang Buns, Hainanese Chicken Rice
My Skips: Prawn & Olive Fried Rice, Char Kway Teow
Address: 1st Floor, 63/2, 8th Main Road, Jaya Nagar 1st Block, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560011
Timings: 12–10:30 pm
Cost for 2: ₹2,000 (approx), excluding alcohol-based cocktails
(The views expressed here are the author’s own.)
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