Kampai — Restaurant in New Delhi

In this blog post, I cover Kampai, a modern, authentic Japanese restaurant located in Worldmark 1, Aerocity, New Delhi.

Did you know that last year Tokyo (Japan) was named the city with the most Michelin star restaurants? According to the 2019 Michelin Guide, Tokyo had a whopping 308 Michelin stars distributed on 230 restaurants. Japan’s capital holds the rare distinction of being the most Michelin-starred city in the world, a crown it has held for 13 consecutive years.

My fascination with authentic Japanese food and drinks started in 2007, with a maiden trip to Tokyo. Since then, I must have reviewed over a dozen Japanese restaurants back home. And even though I don’t consider myself an expert in Japanese cuisine, I certainly know a LOT more now!

Last month I reviewed a new authentic Japanese restaurant in Delhi called Kampai. The brainchild of restaurateur and entrepreneur Avantika Sinha, Kampai is a quaint lil 70-seater restaurant and bar in Worldmark 1, Aerocity, spread over 2,400 square feet.

In a short time, Kampai has become quite the rage. According to the executive chef, Nitin Bhardwaj, 80% of the guests who visit Kampai are Japanese.

Food

Kampai takes a contemporary twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking. The menu is elaborate, consisting of Japanese specialties like Sushi, Sashimi, Ramen, Tempura, Yakitori, Udon, Katsu, Tepanyaki, and so on!

Combining fresh ingredients with a creative interpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine, Chef Nitin brings you a carefully curated selection, employing East-meets-West culinary techniques.

Casting a spin on classic Japanese dishes with creative and artfully curated food, Chef Nitin introduces you to innovative signature dishes like the Black Cod Miso, Tantan Men Ramen, Maguro Katsu Maki Roll, Brie Cheese Tempura with Miso Fig dressing, Pork Belly marinated in Honey Soy Jam, Salmon and Avocado Tartare, Lamb Chops in Miso Butter, Ome-Rice (Fried Rice wrapped in cooked Egg Omelet), and Edamame, amongst others.

Seafood lovers should make sure to try the Aburi Salmon Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, or Soft Shell Crab Roll (a.k.a. Spider Roll).

Drinks

Pair your favorite food with some incredible cocktails made with indigenous ingredients like Sansho, Japanese pepper, and Yuzu, a Japanese citrus lemon.

Chief Mixologist Niladri Sarkar is at the helm of affairs behind Kampai’s fully-equipped 18-foot bar, offering a wide range of Japanese sakes, champagnes, whiskey, cocktails, beers, and carefully-selected wines from different regions of the world.

The bar, with its unique projection mapping in the background, is unlike any other I’ve seen in recent times. With projections of Tokyo skyline and other beautiful elements from Japan, there is never a dull moment here.

I loved the Yuzu Sour, a new interpretation of the evergreen Whisky Sour, made from Yuzu, Sansho, and Sphere Ice Mold. Other winners were the Wasabi Martini, Kyoto Dreams, Ginza Mist, and so on!

You can request Niladri to create a custom cocktail based on your unique flavor profile and choice of ingredients such as Sake, Shochu, Wasabi, and Pickled Ginger.

Decor

In addition to the food and drinks, the understated yet sophisticated ambiance of Kampai is quite a fresh respite from the ordinary.

Particular emphasis is given to the interiors to complement the delectable cuisine. The restaurant is segregated into sections, each depicting a different season in Japan. From Japan’s freezing winters to colorful springs when cherry blossoms dot the landscape, the depiction has been beautifully executed via the colors of the walls, the difference in the ceilings, unique laser cut panels, and projections.

Kampai, with its subtle colors and ambiance, is truly a relaxing and rejuvenating space that transports you to modern-day Tokyo!

Overall, Kampai has the scope of becoming one of the most revered authentic Japanese...

KAMPAI meaning "Cheers" in Japanese language is actually a truly calm & blissful place whose interiors have the power the rejuvenate you just as soon as you enter through its doors. The restaurant is dimly lit & is beautifully adorned with a Sakura flowers arrangement hanging from the roof and a graceful mural of a smiling Japanese lady. The place has an admirable large bar that houses top range liquors & liqueurs which can be had on its own or even mixed as famous cocktails! In case your planning to visit in a large group like we did, pleas have the private dining area or tatami areas booked in advance which houses 10 people at a go & one can comfortably enjoy their food while sitting cross-legged on the wooden seating that are placed on the floor.

We begin our meal with the Yaki Buta Baraniku (Braised pork belly with honey soya jam, miso sauce), Sweet potato Croquettes, Chirashi Seafood Salad with a round of cocktails. I must the say that pork belly dish is one of the best dishes to wake up your taste buds. It's complete winner for me amongst the other two dishes and I couldn't help but order another serving of the same while having my main course too. I had ordered a Yuzu Senso Sour which was a fruity version of the whisky sour and it quite complemented the taste of the Pork belly. Next up were a round of dimsums which consisted of the - Waterchestnut Goat cheese & Spinach option, Ginger Lamb & Black Bean, Prawn & Garlic Chive Siu Mai. The prawn one ruled the palate here while the vegetarian option is one of my personal favorites due to presence of goat cheese. Followed by a round of sushis with Crunch Veg Rolls, Caterpillar Rolls, Spicy Salmon Special roll & ebi tempuras. Being a group of 10 these were all quickly gulped by us and all of us being pure Asians actually devoured each to it's last bite. I was highly surprised by the Caterpillar option which was an avocado wrapped Sushi which was not only charming to look at but also quite spirited to taste. Was slightly disappointed with the wasabi though since it tasted more like a paste rather than its natural flavor but the soy sauce & sliced ginger made up for it. The Shikoku Daiquiri was the cocktail that made it all the more special because of the presence of the Siracha in it.

In the main course I just wanted to turn my focus on the Miso Ramen & Tori Katsu Curry Rice rather the the noodles since it's always too delectable in this type of Asian cuisine. The ramen which was miso broth with minced chicken, bamboo shoots, an half boiled soya egg & some veggies was highly piquant and quite cumbersome. The katsu Curry with it's crunch panko crusted chicken with an authentic Japanese curry & stick rice was totally irresistible and in no time I was through both of them. Service is a little slow here due to the high quality of food served so it would be great if you pre-order the food all at one go. However, the staff is too humble and their smiles would actually make you feel stress free all the time while you enjoy on the glorious food. Our food routine concluded with Yuzu Cheese Cake & Matcha Tiramisu which were a gracious way to end a...

Check my photos for menu also.

Once you land up in Kampai, you will discover that its interiors are awash in the colours of springtime Japan. Fragile pink cherry blossoms, popularly referred to as Sakura, dot every nook and cranny of this stylised dining outlet, while partially curtained enclosures are lit up with the soft glow of pendant lamps. You will also surely brush against droves of Japanese expatriate diners who are eager to sample the nation’s food canon. You can never go wrong with the 'Spider Sushi Roll', where the textural contrast of crispy soft shell crab and tobiko sauce is dramatic. The whole roll seems to have showered in an oceanic haze of umami before being presented as neat little parcels on your plate. Equally enticing is the 'Shoyo Ramen', where the fall-apart pork chashu floats in a sea of deep soy-flavoured broth, along with nori, leeks and noodles.

For a true-blue Japanese meal experience, try and get into one of the two special dining zones or tatami rooms, where you can sit with folded legs Do not forget to tune in to the music belted out by an in-house DJ who stands strategically next to the bar. The serene notes that come your way complement the subtly-spiced Japanese dishes Always go for the 'Teppanyaki Fried Rice' where plump morsels of rice come flecked with options like prawn, pork, chicken or whatever...