Bright, neon-lit backdrops in Japanese characters, cool anime merch on the shelves, and the fresh aroma of Japanese food – no, we aren’t describing a restaurant in Tokyo but Supa San in our very own Mumbai! In the busy commercial district of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a new anime-inspired restaurant is inviting fans of both miso and manga to try out this experience for themselves. So, naturally, we couldn’t resist the urge to grab a hot, comforting bowl of Japanese food at Supa San! Keep reading to know more about our experience at Supa San!
What Is Supa San In BKC, Mumbai?
No, it is not a cafe, not a restaurant, and definitely not a merch store! Supa San by Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality is a Japanese izakaya-inspired diner in the heart of Mumbai’s commercial district. Japanese izakayas, similar to British pubs and Spanish tapas bars, are known for serving alcoholic drinks and small bites to go with them. The vibe is traditionally casual, laidback, and most office workers in Japan make their way to izakayas after a hectic day at work.
View this post on Instagram
Supa San takes inspiration from these izakayas and adds its own twist to the experience. The vibe at Supa San is a blend of a lot of things – modern, clean lines blend into vibrant pops of wall art. There’s murals and merch shelves grabbing your attention, and the interiors are warm and inviting. More on that later, but let’s get to the food!
Supa San Drinks: Did They Steal The Show?
Picante And Umeshu
For drinks, we decided to try a classic cocktail as well as a traditional Japanese spirit to taste how the diner aces both kinds of drinks.
The Kappa Picante was not as spicy as many other picantes but it definitely hit the spot! The taste of the dill and wasabi cut right through the tequila, and who would’ve thought of a Picante that uses dill? Not complaining!
Then, we also tried the Umeshu served here, a traditional plum spirit made in Japan. It was delicious, refreshing, and up to the mark! We’d highly recommend you try this traditional spirit to get an authentic taste of Japan.
The drinks did pass the vibe check, will the food make the cut?
Supa San Food: A Hit Or Flop?
Horenso Goamme
First up was the Horense Goamme, a sweet and savory dish combining marinated spinach and lotus root crisps in a sweet sesame sauce. It had the perfect balance of flavors and textures and it wasn’t overloaded with sesame seeds. However, we wish it had just a little more lotus root crisps!
Rating: 8/10
Kakiage Tempura
We then tried the Kakiage Tempura, a vegetarian sushi dish with crunchy vegetable tempura, yukari (a kind of rice seasoning), vegan mayo, and sesame. It was soft and crunchy at the same time, giving a well thought balance of textures (and flavors). We definitely recommend this one especially for vegetarians!
Rating: 6.5/10
Ebi Katsu Salmon
Time to taste some meat dishes and see if that too hits the spot! For that, we tried the Ebi Katsu Salmon combining panko prawn, torched salmon tartar, avocado, sesame, and Yuzu-Kosho mayo. Did it blow off our mind? No! But it wasn’t as great as we had expected. In comparison, the Kakiage Tempura was far better than – and it’s quite rare to see vegetarian sushi being tastier than the usual ones!
Rating: 5/10
Supa Special Kamameshi Tori Chicken
While we weren’t particularly intrigued by the last thing we tried, this one stole the show! The dish felt like the Japanese cousin of our beloved comfort food – the one-pot khichdi. It combined grilled chicken pot rice with the goodness of veggies like carrots, mushrooms, and a special chicken sauce! Perfect to have on a pouring monsoon day, this dish is where taste, aroma, and comfort all come together to create something that satisfies your soul and not just your taste buds!
Rating: 9/10
Ramen: Chashu Paitan Pork Broth
How can we not try ramen while we’re at a place literally inspired by a Japanese izakaya? This ramen dish combined chashu pork and handmade ramen noodles with delicious paitan pork broth, soy egg, pok choy, bamboo shoot, and bean sprouts. The dish certainly looked appetizing with the different colors and layers shining through the ramen bowl. But, to be honest, it tasted quite bland! The flavors weren’t really coming through, and for most of the part, it was only the subtle flavor of pork that made the cut.
Rating: 4/10
Sufure Cheesecake
After all that heavy eating, it was time to end our meal with a light, fluffy dessert, and there’s nothing better than having a soft and plump Japanese cheesecake! The Sufure Cheesecake was soft, moist, and perfectly sweet, not too cloyingly sweet nor bland. However, the syrup served as a dressing was a little too sweet – just a little dash of zest would’ve made this dish a solid 10/10. But we would definitely recommend it as a dessert!
Rating: 8/10
Ambiance And Vibe Check
Manga fans, we assure you that you’ll have a great time dining at Supa San! The ambiance is full of contrasting yet perfectly balanced elements. Neat, minimal seating layout paired with bold, vibrant art adorning the walls. Perfect lighting that makes the space feel cozier and more inviting. And of course, the neatly laid-out display of anime merch. If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks, you can even buy them for yourself!
Overall, the vibe and ambiance at Supa San are definitely joyful, energetic, and full of character (pun intended). Come for the great energetic vibes and stay for the delicious food, at least for most parts!
Final Thoughts: Dine Or Dish?
While we certainly liked a few dishes in the lot, there were also a few let-downs that we hadn’t expected. The service is great, the staff is kind and courteous, the vibe is up to the mark, and the drinks were a certified banger.
View this post on Instagram
We paid almost INR 7,000 for this meal and we know, it isn’t the most budget-friendly spot in town for a Japanese culinary experience, but it is definitely worth a visit. Especially if you’re a massive anime fan or love the aesthetics of a Japanese restaurant.
Great for a brunch session with your pals or a kawaii date night with someone special, Supa San is here in Mumbai to redefine the classic izakaya experience for Mumbaikars!
Address: Shop No. 003, Ground Floor, Raheja Towers, Plot No. C-30, Avenue 4, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: 12 PM to 1 AM
