Izumi, which refers to ‘spring’ or ‘fountain’ in Japanese, is like a breath of fresh air in the Indian culinary food scenes. First opened in Bandra, Mumbai, in 2018, it soon became the hotspot for ramen and sushi. It is run by Anil and Nooresha Kably in partnership with Neale Murray and Owen Roncon.
In the city of dreams that never sleeps, Izumi became synonymous with comforting Japanese and Oriental delicacies. In an old interview, Nooresha talked about how she understood the philosophy of Japanese food by unlearning the idea of more, which is quite prominent in Indian cuisines. She added, “Less is truly more.”
Image Credit: Izumi Goa/ Instagram
With the same approach, Izumi has become an icon in India, and its both branches have been featured in the Top 50 Restaurants of India 2024 list by Zomato and Condé Nast Traveller. Nooresha also shared that her son encouraged her to go to Japan and learn authentic techniques to cook regional food.
“We’ve been working so hard @izumibandra and @izumiassagao to keep the wheels turning - to constantly innovate and deliver an experience that’s worthy of our loyal and most loving clients - old and new, and we’re always so thankful for this hard work to be acknowledged,” read the caption on Instagram for a post about Nooresha winning an award for the best chef.
Izumi Bandra
Those who have been to Izumi Bandra would swear by the minimalist 1,500 sq ft dining space with 54 seats. It has a live sushi bar which is quite a rare sight in India. And if you have been a fan of ramen, you would have either tried this place or bookmarked it on your to-visit list.
Nooresha Kably is known for creating a perfect balance between intense flavours and bold ingredients to bring unique creations like shoyu chintan vegetarian ramen, hamachi truffle ponzu, sashimi salad, and more. The place looks no different than the restaurants you must have seen in Japanese dramas.
Image Credit: Izumi Bandra/ Instagram
Izumi Goa
Izumi in Goa is a recent establishment. It opened its doors to the Goan population in 2022, and it is already a huge success. While Izumi Bandra is a cosy space, the one in Goa offers dining under the blue sky and twinkling stars. It also has a bar programmed by Arijit Bose and Pankaj Balachandran.
Nooresha Kably’s Mumbai menu is replicated in Goa with a few tweaks. In this branch, you also get to order chicken wings, chicken tsukune, and charred Napa cabbage. The restaurant also features a separate yakitori bar for tenderloin.
Image Credit: Izumi Goa/ Instagram