Pan-Asian cuisine has made a stellar entry into the culinary landscape in India, and it's not hard to see why. Almost all the major cities and towns have not one, but several restaurants that promise to provide you a taste of authentic Pan-Asian food. As people are becoming more willing to experiment with international cuisines, restaurants too don't leave any opportunity to include mouth-watering dishes in their menus. Just like the rest of the country, this cuisine has captured the hearts of the patrons of Chandigarh as well. If you're in the city and wondering where to go for an authentic Pan-Asian meal, XO at JW Marriott is where you need to be. It offers a fine dining experience like no other.
Nestled in the bustling market of Sector 35, the restaurant is easily accessible for locals and tourists alike. As soon as I stepped inside, I was impressed by how seamlessly it blended modernity with traditional Asian art. It has a vibrant ambience, and the live kitchen counters further add an element of excitement to the dining experience. Their newly-launched menu features an impressive range of Japanese, Korean, Burmese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian delicacies, catering to all kinds of palates. We got to enjoy dishes that the chef specially prepared for us, keeping our food preferences in mind. We were welcomed with a berry and lime mocktail that had hints of cardamom in it. It was super refreshing and the perfect start to our meal.
Photo Credit: JW Marriott, Chandigarh
For our first starter, we were served five different kinds of dim sum, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, on a beautifully decorated platter. The stuffing of all the dim sums was quite juicy and flavourful, but the one that stood out the most for us was the Chicken Shitake Sui Mai. Next on our menu were Crispy Lotus Stem Sweet Basil Chilli and Black Bean Chicken Mushroom & Water Chestnut. The lotus stem was just the right amount crispy, and offered a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The black bean chicken was also cooked to perfection and is a must-try dish for chicken lovers.
Photo Credit: NDTV Food
Photo Credit: NDTV Food
We were then served three varieties of sushi in unique wooden baskets, including Spicy Vegetable Tempura,California, and Tempura Maki. They all tasted quite delicious, but the crispy and crunchy texture of the vegetarian tempura instantly made us fall in love with it, and it became our favourite. For the main course, we got to try their Korean Hot Stone Bowl, which was a treat not only to the eyes but also to the taste buds. The combination of rice along with flavourful veggies and juicy meat makes it a wholesome and appetising meal.
Photo Credit: JW Marriott, Chandigarh
Photo Credit: JW Marriott, Chandigarh
For dessert, we were served a mouth-watering Mango Pudding. The pudding was topped with a scoop of ice cream infused with flavours of coconut and jaggery. Basil seeds added an interesting texture to the pudding. It was just the perfect dessert to end our meal on a sweet note. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at the restaurant and would love to go back again. If you're looking for a place to enjoy authentic Pan-Asian food in Chandigarh, don't think twice before heading here.
Photo Credit: NDTV Food
- What: XO
- Where: 1st Floor, JW Marriott, Sector 35-B, Chandigarh
- When: 12:30pm - 3:30pm, 7pm - 11:30pm
- Cost For Two: INR 3000 (Approx)
About Vaishali KapilaVaishali finds comfort in eating parathas and rajma chawal but is equally enthusiastic about exploring different cuisines. When she's not eating or baking, you can often find her curled up on the couch watching her favourite TV show - FRIENDS.