Catching morning flights on a weekend isn’t something I’m game for, but things were a bit different this time. I was off to Amritsar to check out the newly opened Japanese restaurant Shiso. As an ardent fan of all things pan-Asian cuisine, be it spicy Korean bites, warm bowls of Japanese ramen or maki rolls, I looked forward to my dining experience here.
Founded by Amritsar-based F&B entrepreneurs Vansh Aggarwal alongside Aftab Sidhu, Honey Mishra, and Mankaran Johar as management partners, Shiso is Amritsar’s expansive new dining destination where global cuisine meets a profound dedication with Pan-Asian flavours. The meticulously curated menu has something for everyone, from traditional Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian, and Vietnamese, to Chinese cuisine.
Ambience & Aesthetic
Designed by Aayushi Malik of Aayushi Malik Designs, Shiso is artfully divided into a large dining room and a private eating section with luxurious suede seats and statuario centre tables, making it perfect for Pinterest-worthy pictures. The vibe of the space is cosy yet luxurious, with additions of earthy elements.
A sense of relaxation and comfort is immediately felt upon entering because of the large triple-height ceiling and the generous use of stone, wood, and bamboo. There’s a beautiful rice paper installation, and the brass accents let a softly lit bar stand out while blending in with its surroundings. The outside area has ambient lighting and booths modelled like cabanas.
Flavours On Your Plate
Shiso’s lip-smacking menu is curated by Chef Honey Mishra, who has worked with Jom Jom Malay, a Malaysian restaurant in New Delhi. What I experienced was an exclusive Omakase dining experience (a one-of-a-kind offering allowing you to trust the chef to create a memorable dining experience), where I indulged in a personalised chef’s tasting menu.Â
I started my lunch with small plates such as the Shanghai Shao Mai Chicken & Sticky Rice, Duck Tacos, Enoki Bloom, Thai Betel Leaf Roll, Mushroom Kataifi, and Prawn Crackers.
A few more standout appetisers include Char Siu Baozi, Seoul Chicken Pogi Kimchi Bao, Crispy Carrot Bao, and the Potato & Radish with Sichuan Chilli Oil and Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Gyoza dim sums. Pro tip: compliment your starters with the refreshing Hibiscus Sweet Lime Iced Tea.
Though I had dug into many appetisers, I had space for the hearty mains. I preceded with the succulent Kyoto and Thai Roast Chicken as well as Malaysia’s national dish, Nasi Lemak, which consists of coconut rice, drizzled with anchovy and hot chilli sauce, and topped with fried anchovies, fried peanuts, sliced cucumber, and a hard-boiled egg.
And finally, something that I was eagerly waiting for made an appearance—the ramen bowls. As a person who loves to spend her time watching J-drama characters slurping authentic ramen, Shiso made this reel-life experience come to life. I was offered a variety of house-made ramen from Dan Dan Udon to Soba Yakisoba, a Japanese noodle stir-fried dish where noodles are made from buckwheat flour. But my personal favourite was the Laksa Nyonya, prepared with a rich and spicy coconut curry soup or a broth seasoned with asam.
Don’t leave without trying some of the desserts here. My recommendations are Kyoto Swiss Roll, Tab Tim Krop, Manhattan Cheesecake, and their delicious jelly-based affogato.
Bar Programme
There’s no party in Punjab without drinks! Crafted by Madhav Singhal of Gastronaut Hospitality, the bar program at Shiso features a selection of classic and signature cocktails, inventive twists, locally brewed beers, and exotic Asian ingredients. Take your pick from My Apple Pie, Tokyo Highball, Osaka Whisky Sour, Trippy Fungi, Smoked Ananas mocktail, and the whimsical Cherry Cherry Lady (yes, it’s inspired by the popular Modern Talking song), among others.
My personal favourite was the Broken Heart Sangria, which comes with bandages on the wine glass, adding a playful yet poignant touch to the drink’s name. When I asked Madhav about the name, he said, “People often come to the bar counter with broken hearts, so why not make it a little funny and entertaining?” I couldn’t agree more.
ELLE’s Verdict
While a lot of people associate Amritsar with its traditional cuisine, Shiso is trying its best to create a niche for itself with a menu a lot of metropolitan cities are struggling to achieve. So, once you’ve had your fair share of Amritsari Kulche and Chole Bhature, bookmark Shiso to experience flavourful pan-Asian cuisine.
