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

Kimikai Umami House, a new Asian restaurant located at One Horizon Center in Gurugram, blends Silk Route storytelling with a menu focused on bold umami flavors. Co-owned by Chef Ruhani Singh and entrepreneurs Rakshay Dhaliwal, Samarthya Bhargava, and Akshay Khurana, the establishment features a narrative centered around a spice and opium trader character. The 100-seater venue includes an Opium Bar, a sushi bar, and private dining areas, decorated with thematic elements like poppy sketches and cartographs. The culinary team, including consultant chefs Pawel Kazanowski and Mario Fico, emphasizes fermentation, smoke, and layered seasoning. Highlights from the menu include tomato carpaccio with ginger dressing, spinach salad with gomae, salmon aburi, chicken nan ban, and hoisin teriyaki lamb chops. The beverage program reflects Asian trade routes, incorporating spices and botanicals. This review highlights the restaurant's unique atmosphere, technical precision in dish preparation, and the fusion of global techniques with modern Asian flavors, positioning it as a distinctive dining destination in the region.