Chapter 1: DELHI’S JAPANESE-HAWAIIAN FOOD DESTINATION

As you walk down the bustling, narrow lanes of Humayunpur, you come across the delightful bistro called Green Neko. Looking through its windows, its cosy ambience quickly draws you in.
With a menu that offers Japanese-Hawaiian food which includes poké bowls and popping boba bubble tea, along with appetizer options like seafood, assorted mushroom tempura and chicken wings. Whether you’re a fan of seafood or you follow a plant-based diet, you’re sure to find something delicious to eat. The poké bowls, which include either rice or quinoa, along with fresh vegetables, sauces and either chicken, tuna, salmon, paneer or tofu, provide you with a healthy and refreshing meal.
The popping boba teas provide a delicious refreshment on hot summer days. I had the pleasure of talking with Chef Roderick Leitanthem, who is also the manager, and together with the owner, Zerina Leichombam, opened Green Neko in December 2022. Chef Roderick described how opening shop has been a learning experience as Green Neko was opened as a trial run, without either of them having had prior experience starting a cafe or eatery. However, Green Neko’s popularity has grown quickly, mainly through word of mouth, and it now has a loyal customer base of regulars, including me. Their main aim is to always provide customers with fresh and healthy meals. The menu provides food suitable for vegans, gluten-free diets, vegetarian and non-vegetarians, and seafood enthusiasts, leaving no one without options. I personally love the tofu poké bowl with fresh veggies, with the bursting flavours of soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger among the other delicious layers to the taste. If you›re a fan of any of the flavours and foods I described above, I›d definitely recommend that you go and check out their menu, and if you›ve never tried the above-mentioned things before, now is the perfect time to try them.

Elizabeth is a culinary student and proprietor of Lisa’s Bäkerie. She can be found on Instagram @elizabethsmetacek.