Beyond the bar and the buzz, this restaurant in Bandra has re-opened and here's what's new

Lamb Kapitan

Unlike traditional Japanese restaurants, Bandra's Akina, which opened in 2022, built its reputation as a high-energy dining and nightlife destination, where diners came more for the cocktails, sake, DJs, and electric atmosphere than its contemporary plates.

Now reimagined as House of Akina, the brand, which opens doors tomorrow, marks a distinct shift from its nightlife-led identity to a more immersive, contemporary Asian dining experience. In fact, it moves beyond rigid cuisine labels to celebrate the stories, memories, and cultural connections across borders.

The space too, is designed less like a restaurant and more like a well-travelled person's home. There's a welcoming foyer that opens into the living and dining areas, furnished with plush seating, curated artwork. The soft drapery and television, add to the feeling of stepping into someone's private residence. Aksha Kamboj, executive chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures, explains, "Akina is imagined as someone who has travelled the world collecting stories, flavours and emotions, and now she opens her home to Mumbai. We wanted guests to feel that intimacy the moment they walk in."

Vietnamese Coffee Noir

Helming the kitchen is Creative Culinary Head, Chef Ashwin Singh. He represents a new generation of Indian chefs who are reimagining regional flavours through a contemporary lens without losing their cultural roots. Having honed his craft across renowned kitchens, including Taj, Marriott, Gaggan in Bangkok, and Masque, Singh's cooking is driven by memory, ingredient-led storytelling, and a deep respect for traditional techniques such as fermentation, pickling, and slow cooking. "At Akina, the intention was never to create food that simply looks contemporary.

We wanted every dish to feel rooted in memory and emotion while still evolving through technique and perspective. Many dishes draw from Indian flavours and regional ingredients I grew up with, interpreted through experiences gathered across different kitchens and cultures. The Akina Edit especially reflects that balance between familiarity and discovery."

Ashwin Singh

We started with Mango Gazpacho, Pani Puri, and Baby Spinach and Shisho Chaat, then moved on to Hamachi Carpaccio, White Tiger Potato Maki, and Dynamite Prawn Maki. The Spiced Yam Bean Dimsum and Spicy Crab Dimsum were delicious. The Broccoli Anticuchos With Cream Hunkayna and the Gai Yang Chicken The Grilled Hamachi With Vietnamese Lemon Sauce and Chilli Basil Water Chestnut & Cauliflower; The Dry Ramen Noodles was interesting, but our favourite was Thecha Hakka Noodles, which brings together familiar Indian heat with wok-tossed Asian comfort. The Lamb Kapitan Curry was ideal. For desserts, we tried Vietnamese Coffee Noir, Kuro Cacao Brownie, Tropical Vanilla Island and Miso Honey Crunch Cake.

The beverage menu reads almost like a collection of postcards from across Asia, where flavours are tied to moments rather than merely ingredients. While the food menu requires an evolved palate, with the restaurant relaunch, House of Akina feels like an invitation to savour the stories behind every plate.

Where: House of Akina, Golden Palace, Turner Road, Bandra West