Nasi and Mee, tucked away on a quiet lane in the heart of the city, is a popular pan-Asian diner in Kochi. Recently, it unveiled a new, improved Japanese menu.
I went there on a Sunday evening. And the restaurant was surprisingly tranquil.
At first glance, the restaurant’s decor catches the eye immediately. It is well-lit and inviting without being overstated. Everything about the space suggested careful thought, implying that the food could be too.
Though the focus of my visit was their new Japanese menu, particularly the expanded ramen selection, a range of starters screamed for my attention. I couldn’t help but sample a few.
Of them, the Japanese chicken karaage — crisp on the outside, soft and mushy within — stood out instantly. It was easily the best appetiser on the table. So was the salmon nigiri sushi. It was possibly among the best sushi currently available in the city, and is a clear must-have.
The chicken gyoza dumplings were refreshingly free of the oiliness, giving a warm, fresh taste with each bite. Next came yakitori, which reminded me of grilled chicken. This one might be familiar to the Malayali palate.
A tangy Tiki Puka Puka drink – a blend of orange, pineapple, passion fruit and lime – paired well with the starters, balancing the spiciness.
Soon, the main item followed. Ramen. Nasi and Mee, I learned, has been serving Japanese flavours for over two years, but the new menu marks a serious expansion, with more ramen options.
On the recommendation of a staff member, I chose the spicy Tantanmen ramen. The spicy, nutty broth was a heady yet well-balanced concoction. Rich, layered and deeply satisfying. The chef explained that they import the ingredients straight from Japan.
The ramen, however, is made in Bengaluru, as imports tend to be generally too dry. The other ingredients that made up the remainder of the meal, I was told, were freshly sourced.
The ramen meal was, without doubt, the highlight of the evening.
Along with the dish came a vest meant to protect clothes from splashes whilst eating noodles. A thoughtful touch.
A watermelon cooler offered momentary relief from ramen’s spiciness. Thoug refreshing, unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea.
While the food was indeed very enjoyable, what Nasi and Mee could perhaps do is spruce up the ambience and customer engagement to enhance the overall experience.