Restaurant India News: Mai Mai Brings a Modern East Asian Kitchen to Bengaluru’s Indiranagar

Bengaluru’s restaurant landscape has a new addition with the opening of Mai Mai, a 30-seater East Asian kitchen located on Indiranagar’s 12th Main Street. Designed as an intimate dining space, Mai Mai focuses on a carefully curated menu, small-format seating, and a guest experience built on precision and consistency.

The menu at Mai Mai brings together influences from across East Asia, reimagined with a personal approach. Small plates include dishes such as Sweet Potato Pepper Dumplings, Spinach & Cream Cheese Gyoza, Aburi Salmon Roll, and Crunch Lotus Roll. Larger plates feature options like Sizzling Oyako Donburi with chicken, egg, and jasmine rice; Tan Tanmen Ramen served in a sesame broth; and Korean Bibimbap with house-made kimchi, mushrooms, and gochujang chicken. Beverages include Craft Kombucha and a Bourbon Tea Julep, while desserts range from lighter options to richer indulgences, such as the Dark Chocolate & Mandarin Cake with orange-infused ganache.

The kitchen is led by Chef Shivam Bose, who brings over a decade of culinary experience from restaurants across India, including PF Chang’s. “We’re not chasing trends,” said Chef Shivam. “At Mai Mai, we’re telling stories through texture, surprise, and quiet innovation. Food here is instinctive, personal, and alive.”

Mai Mai is the first venture from husband-wife duo Yash and Megha Bhatia. Yash contributes his expertise in growth and brand strategy, while Megha brings her background in design and visual storytelling. “Mai Mai has been a labour of love, shaped with care over many months,” said Yash Bhatia. “It’s not a project with an end — it’s a living, breathing space that we’ll continue to grow, evolve, and nurture together.”

The name Mai Mai reflects a blend of meanings across cultures. In Mandarin, repetition of a word conveys familiarity and warmth. In Cantonese, mai refers to grain, symbolizing nourishment. In Japanese, it is associated with dance or sweetness. In India, Mai translates to mother, a representation of care and comfort.

With its small-format design, curated menu, and founder-led vision, Mai Mai enters Bengaluru’s competitive dining market as a focused, niche concept. Positioned at the intersection of tradition and modern dining culture, it aims to create a consistent and memorable experience for guests.