Review: Kimikai Umami House in Gurugram Offers Silk Route-Inspired Asian Cuisine

Kimikai Umami House, a new 100-seater restaurant located at One Horizon Center in Gurugram, blends Silk Route storytelling with modern Asian culinary techniques. Co-owned by Chef Ruhani Singh and entrepreneurs Rakshay Dhaliwal, Samarthya Bhargava, and Akshay Khurana, the establishment features a narrative centered on a spice and opium trader character named Kimikai. The 2,200 square foot space includes an Opium Bar, a sushi bar, and private dining areas, decorated with thematic elements like poppy sketches and cartographs. The menu, developed by consultant chefs Pawel Kazanowski and Mario Fico alongside Ruhani, emphasizes fermentation, smoke, and layered umami flavors. Key dishes include tomato carpaccio with ginger dressing, salmon aburi, chicken nan ban with cheddar togarashi sauce, and hoisin teriyaki lamb chops. The dining experience aims to merge global fine-dining discipline with accessible modern Asian tastes, creating a unique atmosphere that balances theatrical storytelling with high-quality, technically precise food preparation.