Lodhi Colony, with its bustling streets and eclectic vibe, is home to some of Delhi’s finest dining spots. Among them, Inja, Lodhi Colony, stands out, and was definitely on my list for being one of the first, if not the first, to combine Japanese and Indian fine dining dishes. That was why my partner chose to take me there to celebrate when he came to town, and what a memorable meal it turned out to be!
The Ambiance: Where Elegance Meets Comfort
Walking into Inja Lodhi Colony, you’re immediately enveloped by an ambiance that blends modern sophistication with subtle nods to tradition. The soft, ambient lighting, the art adorning the walls, and the plush seating all invite you to sit back, relax, and prepare for a culinary journey. The crockery is absolutely beautiful as is the place setting and small touches you find at your seat. I loved the ornate fish shaped chopstick holder, and wanted to steal it away with me!
The Drinks: Starting with a Smash
Our evening kicked off with a round of cocktails, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. I chose the Boshi Smash, a drink that packs a punch with its hint of umeboshi plum. My partner had the Whisky Sour (I think!), and I also tried the Inja Mule, which was delicious with its mix of kaffir lime, lemongrass, myoga ginger and chillies, giving it a spicy kick.
The Starters: Bold Flavours, Fresh Ingredients
Crafted by Chef Adwait Anantwar, who is renowned for his work in the Middle East food scene, i was a bit skeptical to try Indian- Japanese fusion food, and was even more cynical about “fusion” food, never being one to love the mixing of two cuisine traditions. This is possibly because most people claim most things in the name of fusion these days, and that can lead to some culinary disasters
First up we had the Tempura Fermented Mango Achar, an exciting dish that is made using shrimp tempura topped with a 7 day fermented mango achar and togarishi. A clever interplay of flavours familiar to Indian food like the tangy mango achar along with the ginger and yuzu notes of the togarishi to bring in the Japanese element. This was a tasty bite which whet our palates for more to come
Next was the Karikadi Shrimp with mustard oil and yuzu kosho. This dish showcases sweet Bay of Bengal shrimp, cold pressed mustard oil, green chillies and yuzu kosho. Yuzu kosho is a Japanese condiment made from yuzu citrus peel, green or red chilli peppers, and salt. It delivers a vibrant, spicy kick with a unique citrusy aroma which helps elevate any dish. The sweet shrimp was very fresh and the mustard oil and elements gave it that Bengali kasundi kick. A truly unique blend of Japan with Bengali flair, I was reminded of younger days eating lunch at my grandad’s in Calcutta.
As a bit of a smaller bite or attempted palate cleanser we opted for the Paniyaram : Fermented rice dumplings, with a curry leaf prawn and ume paste. I am a big lover of umeboshi, a tangy Japanese plum from which the ume paste is made. This was a delicious and quite filling bite.
I just had to opt for the Buff Tataki with pyaz kalonji chutney. Picture this: thin slices of buff, seared just enough to lock in the juices, drizzled with a caramelized onion and seed chutney, sweet onion ponzu sauce, and puffed bhangjeera. Bhangjeera is a herb from the Himalayas known for its nutty flavour which imparted a nice texture to this dish. I loved the taste of the fresh buff and the dance of the textures on my tongue. There was a puff from the bhangjeera, and the delicate cuts of buff which was very interesting on the palate.
The Main Course: Inja Style
By this point we were so full, we ordered one last larger dish to make sure we didn’t miss out! The winning dish that we chose was the Vizag Shrimp with Raw Mango Yuzu Kosho. This main comprises U-5 black tiger shrimp, with a raw mango and coconut yuzu kosho. The beautiful cook on this ensured the shrimp was imparted with a mix of sweet and savoury elements, and the shrimp themselves were fresh and quite large!
Conclusion: A Must-Visit Destination
Inja Lodhi Colony in the Manor, isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an experience. From the thoughtful ambiance to the expertly crafted dishes, every detail is designed to make your visit unforgettable. Whether you’re a local or a traveller seeking the best of Delhi’s dining scene, Inja is a must-visit. Trust me, you’ll be talking about it long after the last bite. And for all those non-believers out there- they prove fusion of cuisines can be a delight, when done with an expert touch!
Cost: For a good experience, this place costs big $$$$. We spent approx. 10 K
Service: 5/5 – the staff was incredibly knowledgeable about the dishes
Ambience: 4/5
Food: 4.5/5
Check them out on IG here and on Zomato here
Want to try some more great places? Go out partying here, enjoy a meal here or enjoy some pasta here! Rather order in? Try these places out
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Zariya Healings.
