Why Mumbai's new Oriental seafood eatery, Hai Bao is worth a visit

We serve you prepare These words on banners across town proclaim the entry of a new eatery Hai Bao Strategically located opposite Hotel Ramada Plaza facing the Juhu beach Hai Baorsquos boast is not idle as a visit on a weeknight reveals The primarily Asian seafood restaurant focuses on authenticity of taste Large bowlshaped inbuilt heated containers are placed at the centre of every table where the meat or fish are cooked to your preference viz steamed grilled or sauteacuteedThe Shabu Shabu mdash an oriental way of having a seafood meal mdash is the highlight of any meal here These complete meals usually shared between three or more people and priced between R650 to R1999 depending on your choice of order mdash include soup and a selection of fish prawn chicken meat and vegetables mdash to be doused in a variety of sauces before being consumed This is a meal for the evolved diner though and not for those trying out an oriental seafood platter for the first timeAbove Seafood Fried Rice Top The Shabu Shabu is a form of food preparation which is served in a simmering metal potHai Bao serves food from across the Orient mdash Malaysian Vietnamese and from different Chinese regions We ask for the Deepfried Dragon Mousse Prawn R599 as a starter mdash succulent pieces of prawn wrapped in flaky strands of fried noodles and deepfried These are served with crunchy crushed garlic and fried beansstrings Long after the prawns have been eaten we are still picking up the tasty lsquofried and saucyrsquo garlic bits and savouring themThe Hokkein Seafood Noodles R399 and Jasmine Butter Garlic Fried Rice R225 that are up next both qualify as standalone dishes The noodles cooked Singaporestyle in a dark soy sauce has generous pieces of prawns fish and even crunchy seafood shells Thankfully the taste has not been lsquoIndianisedrsquo to suit the local palate Clearly authenticity of taste is what the restaurant owners are banking on for return clientele The rice however has too many pieces of the fried garlic mdash detracting a fair bit from the milder flavour of the butter and vegetables Also we canrsquot find any real smell of the jasmineThe Stewed Chicken in Claypot R475 tastes really good with the fire under the dish ensuring itrsquos warm at all times But again this has too many pieces of garlic It would work during winter in colder climes but the weather in Mumbai is hardly conducive to consuming so much garlic in one meal Also all the chicken comes with the bones and even bits of the skin intact That makes eating it with fork and spoon or chopsticks quite difficult The manager explains the reason is that meat cooked with the bones and skin releases more flavour into the gravy thus enhancing the taste of the dishes Therersquos logic in that reasoning but we are not sure if this really works in the final presentationThe 120cover restaurant already has a bar licence and quite a few cocktails that would go well with the food The iPad menu lists over 50 cocktails but we settle for a simple fruit punch since we are driving We end the meal with the coconut foam and corn kernels R350 and ice creams Both are good and well presentedHai Bao is definitely worth a visit for one of those days when you want an authentic Asian meal or if you are treating friends or corporate guests to a mealHai BoAt Opposite Juhu Beach next to Home Town CafeService PromptAmbience Luxurious Food Authentic OrientalMeal for two Rs 2000Call 26121800 26101800