My previous visit to HONK Asian (which I would like to call the most beautifully designed oriental cuisine restaurant in the City) was nothing short of spectacular. The best of Pan-Asian street food under one breath-taking roof was enough to floor me. When I got enlightened about a new menu launch, I had to go check it out, for the love of the dishes and the good old Pullman hospitality.
The new addition to the HONK Asian menu is in the form of set 5/6/7 course fixed meal experiences namely;
- Celebration (A 7 Course set menu)
- Innovation (A 6 Course set menu)
- Inception (A 5 Course set menu)
These set menu options are perfect for all of you who’re planning family dinners or outings, more so for all the couples out there as the gorgeous restaurant doubles up as a perfect place for a romantic dinner. The options also let you get a curated experience of an otherwise vast menu.
My own meal at HONK Asian consisted of some absolutely scrumptious delights from the Menu.
Starting off with a refreshing cabbage based amuse bouche, my taste buds were then treated with an even more refreshing and tangy Raw papaya salad. The salad had thin shreds of raw papaya with a generous sprinkle of peanuts, mixed with tomatoes and beans. With a spiced up after taste, the salad surely stimulated my palate for the offerings that were to follow.
With a Japanese live kitchen, you can guess how high the quality of this cuisine would be served at HONK Pullman New Delhi Aerocity. The same could be felt after consuming their finest sushi rolls (of course, made right in front of you if you choose to face the live kitchen). I tried the crispy asparagus tempura roll and my favorite, the Cajun Tuna roll. Both were up to the mark in presentation as well as taste. The Cajun Tuna roll is indeed a Tuna lover’s paradise, with a prominent fresh tuna flavor profile. The other one in my platter had its own USP with the subtle flavors and the characterizing crunch of asparagus tempura.
Tom Yum Soup was served next and this vegetarian Thai soup, with its hot and sour goodness, would’ve been a blessing during the infamous Delhi winter to which we just bid farewell. Nevertheless, its fresh aroma and even fresher vegetable broth base was still quite welcoming and hence, making the summer soup experience absolutely worth it.
Since I was off Wine for the day, I had to convey the same to the very humble Kriti Malhotra (the award winning in-house Sommelier at Pullman New Delhi). Even though it would’ve been an even more spectacular meal with the fine wines paired with each of our course, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the refreshing HONK lemonade.
After the delightful rolls and the hot & sour soup, it was time for my favorite part of the meal, the Dim sums.
Dim sums at HONK Asian, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
Pumpkin with Pine Nuts may sound an unusual combination for a dim sum, but that is where the Asian culinary expertise of HONK’s dim sum kitchen amazes us. The sweet & crunchy dim sums were best enjoyed with the spicy Cantonese chili dip which perfectly balanced the sweetness of pumpkin.
It would only make sense to say that I’ve had the best Prawn Hargow at Pullman Aerocity. Topped with exotic Caviar (adding that creamy crunch) and immersed in perfume de hen (a signature condiment sauce at HONK Asian), this succulent, juicy and aromatic prawn dim sum left such a pleasant after taste.
The Main Course at HONK
The set menu ensures that you aren’t stuffed with the appetizers so that there is still an appetite for the hearty Asian-style main course. What came our way was nothing short of an aromatic spectacle, especially the Nanjing Style Duck with Blanched Bell Peppers. This artwork of a dish brought with it, an aroma that was as irresistible as the dish. As I took the first bite of the dish, I got to taste a layer of duck fat which was followed by the perfectly seasoned duck meat. From the texture of the meat to the seasoning sauce, this dish oozed of flavorful perfection.
There was also the fragrant chicken on the table, which in itself was a wonderfully made chicken gravy dish full of oriental spices but for me, the Nanjing style duck had already stolen the show.
After the filling delights, it was time to wash it all down with the detoxifying goodness of the handcrafted White needle tea. What a soothing and therapeutic beverage it was.
Different & Delicious Desserts
Have you ever had a taste of the beautiful looking Jasmine flower? Well, one may have tried the Jasmine Tea, or maybe the Jasmine rice but trust me, as I took a scoop of the Jasmine Creme Brulee at HONK Asian, it is only then when I got the real taste of this exotic sweet flower. What a unique and wonderful version of this creamy classic dessert with an unanticipated yet welcoming floral twist. Definitely going back for this one.
Having been to other Pan-Asian restaurants in the city, I must say that the Staff at HONK Asian in Pullman New Delhi Aerocity is the most courteous and well informed. Harish, our server for the evening, was well versed with not only the names of the dishes but also with the preparation techniques and origins.
All in all, HONK Asian is a lot more than just a Pan-Asian restaurant, it is culinary powerhouse backed by a passionate team who work in sync with a vision to bring the best of Asian street-food under one breathtaking fine dining setting.
