A tribute to India: Inside chef Kunal Kapur’s new restaurant in Bengaluru

With Pincode, the celebrity chef is bringing dishes from different parts of the country to the table, from mutton inji puli to Himalayan thukpa

To prepare for his restaurant Pincode’s Bengaluru chapter, celebrity chef Kunal Kapur visited the city's darshinis, local messes and coastal restaurants. “Many memories of my early days as a chef are connected to Bengaluru. While working on this menu, I wanted to bring together my childhood memories, my roots, and the strong regional identity that defines this city.” The restaurant celebrates India’s culinary diversity, with dishes from all four corners. Pincode has outlets in many cities in India, and the UAE, and now opens its doors in One MG Lido Mall.

The interiors of Pincode in Bengaluru

Pincode was conceptualised as a tribute to India’s roadside eateries, family kitchens and traditional recipes. The chef and restaurateur, who is known for hosting and judging MasterChef India hails from a Punjabi family in New Delhi, and has travelled extensively, which has shaped his culinary ideology.

“Pincode is all about having great Indian food. We have die-hard classics from across India, sprinkled with a little bit of innovation here and there. It is a spacious restaurant, we want to encourage you to bring your friends and family and have great conversation over excellent food and drinks.”

The restaurant is on fifth floor of the popular mall. The interiors are opulent and rich with colonial furniture, maximalist prints, and grand chandeliers, that spell luxury. Photographs of old India, royals from a time gone by, and antique knick knacks dot the walls. The restaurant does not have an alcohol license yet, so I start with their mocktails. The raw mango and chilli, a refreshing number, is made of raw mango pulp, jalapeno and a dash of spicy Maggi syrup. Just like the ethos of the menu, this one has a strong Indian identity but does not hold back on innovation.

Kathal galauti