Malaysian cuisine, more bento boxes, Korean curries and a fresh supply of octopus — these are just some of the highlights of the latest menu to hit the table at Zen, the Pan-Asian restaurant at The Park. 

“We keep making minor changes to the menu throughout the year. And we also experiment with different types of sushi and other dishes at private parties. Over the past year, we took notes and the dishes that garnered the maximum praise made it to our new menu,” said chef Sharad Dewan, the regional director of food production, The Park.  

With 13 new dishes in the main course, and several others across sections like soups, salads, starters and desserts, the latest menu is a delectable mix of 30 per cent new recipes and 70 per cent all-time favourites.

With the chef for company, t2 sat in for a tasting menu and came back with a pleasant aftertaste.

It’s like a sashimi with a delish twist. Salmon Carpaccio is a raw salmon salad with fresh chillies and soya dressing that add the right kick to the delicate flavours of the wafer-thin slices of salmon. Rs 695-plus

The magic of slow cooking is evident if you are eating a plate of Japanese Soya Pork Buta Kakuni, a traditional pork dish cooked in soya sauce. The subtle smoky flavour of the melt-in-your-mouth pork makes a winning combo with the sweet-and-salty soya base, with some steamed asparagus on the side to lend some crunch. Rs 1,195-plus

Crispy Hazelnuts Salt and Pepper is a t2 favourite, best had with sips of Tsukemono Kyurim, a smoky cocktail made of gin, cucumber and mint. Tossed with salt, pepper, some garlic and chives, the hazelnuts are crunchy and packed with flavours. Rs 795-plus

The Tako Yaki is one of the latest additions to the Zen menu. These Japanese starters are made in special pans and can be described as dumplings made with pancake batter and stuffed with prawns, crab stick, pickled ginger and herbs. The vegetarian version has a mix of corn and water chestnut. Rs 1,095-plus

Bento boxes are a hit with loyalists at Zen. The Malaysian Meal Box packs in Nasi Goreng, Kapitam Curry (prawns), Long Beans and Iceberg Lettuce in Thai Dressing. The Shokado Bento section in the menu has four meal options added recently — Thai, Burmese, Bhutanese and Chinese. The non-veg Malaysian Meal Box is priced Rs 3,145-plus. 

(L-R) Spicy Tuna Roll (Rs 1,395-plus), Crispy Lotus Stem Nigiri Sushi (Rs 995-plus) and Avocado Alaska Roll (Rs 995-plus) — the sushi boat was filled to the gunwale with flavours strong as well as subtle. 

Pla Taohoo Phak, a salad made of tofu, water chestnut, long beans and iceberg lettuce in Thai dressing, is a light yet spicy mix. A bright start to a beautiful dinner. Rs 595-plus

The Double Cooked Lamb Chunks in Zen-style Pepper Sauce is a must-have from the main course if you love lamb (Rs 1,295-plus). The other new entries in the non-vegetarian main course menu that we loved are Lobster in Champagne Sauce, Baby Octopus in Blackbean Sauce and Seafood Dodoria (an assortment of seafood cooked in a cheese sauce).

Ananchai Suttison (second from left), executive chef, Oriental, with his team at Zen.

Text: Sibendu Das
Pictures: Rashbehari Das