Delhi to host biggest Asian food fest from 23rd-25th October
Delhi to host biggest Asian food fest from 23rd-25th October

As many as 18 leading Delhi-NCR restaurants and one solo operator have signed up for the Asian Hawkers Market, a first-of-its-kind celebration of Asian cuisine from the Far East and South-East Asia, being organised on October 23rd – 25th, 2015, at the city’s busiest food and retail destination, Select CITYWALK, Saket.

With less than a month to go, the organisers expect at least 10 more participating restaurants or food retailers to come on board.

The participating restaurants include the multi-award-winning Neung Roi (Radisson Blu Plaza, NH8), Royal China, Mamagoto, Guppy by ai and Pan Asian (Sheraton New Delhi) as well as the ever-popular Jade (The Claridges), dimsumbros, Asia 7 and En, the reinvented Sampan, and newcomers such as Yum Yum Cha (the offshoot of the trend-setting Yum Yum Tree), Chi Ni (Dusit Devarana), The Fatty Bao, Wow Momo and Chi: The Asian Cookhouse.

Also on the Asian Hawker Market’s crowded platter are the successful home delivery service Asian Haus; the instant hit, Social at Hauz Khas Village; and start-up entrepreneur Aftab Sidhu’s The Pho Kart, which will dish out finger food from Vietnam prepared by a cook who has just returned from the south-east Asian country.

Right after the Dussehra festivities when Delhi’s weather is expected to turn mellow, these Five-star and standalone restaurants will come together at one location to present the cuisines of China, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (there will be Chinjabi on the menu too!).

Together, the participants will present the hawker experience, which is the backbone of the Asian food tradition, with gourmet touches to make it special. The portions will be small, so that visitors can sample different cuisines without feeling uncomfortably full, and the prices will range from Rs 100 to Rs 500.

The Asian Hawkers Market is the initiative of four well-known food impresarios — Siddharth ‘Sid’ Mathur, Director & Head of Food of the phenomenally successful Social and Food Consultant for My Square, Select Citywalk's food court; Atul Sikand, creator and curator of Facebook’s busiest Indian recipe-sharing group, Sikandalous Cuisine; Tanveer Kwatra, Executive Chef, Le Meridien Gurgaon; and acclaimed restaurant critic and food blogger Sourish Bhattacharyya.

On offer at the event conceived and curated by them is an eclectic mix teeming with sweet and savoury options to inveigle Delhi-NCR’s food aficionados to make the Asian Hawkers Market their destination on all three days. And although food is dominant theme, it is not the only defining feature of the Asian Hawkers Market.

“We have taken time to research design, music and entertainment concepts, and shops selling general merchandise — all with an Asian element or influence. We are certain there will be something for everyone,” added Mathur.

Keeping the Asian spirit alive will be a range of entertainment options for the entire family. Apart from over four music acts playing every evening, bring out the Bruce Lee in you with a special martial arts game. From Hoolas, to Chopsticks to Arm Wrestling and even Dance Offs, there will be never a dull moment for the three days.

Commenting on the alliance, Select CITYWALK’s Executive Director Yogeshwar Sharma says: “It is an absolute delight to collaborate with Siddharth, Sourish, Tanveer and Atul, who have carved a niche for themselves in the F&B industry as food connoisseurs. We at Select CITYWALK always try to bring something new, exciting and unique for our shoppers, hence this time we are bringing a whole new food experience. Not only do we want the city to try the flavours of authentic Asian food, but also we want to provide a platform where top restaurants serving Pan Asian food can come together, interact, explore and discover new ventures.”

Atul Sikand summarises the philosophy driving the Asian Hawkers Market: “After Indian, we love the cuisines of the Far East and South-East Asia. Delhi especially is in love with the colours, textures and aromas of these cuisines. Our endeavour is to celebrate this romance and help Delhi-NCR’s Asian restaurants get their place in the sun.”

 
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