Founded by chef and restaurateur Praful Chandawarkar and his wife, Cheeru Chandawarkar, Malaka Spice was conceived as a culinary destination that offers an alternative to the predominantly Indian and Chinese food choices that dominated Pune at the time. The couple had moved back to Pune from Hong Kong in 1996. Praful was an Investment Banker, Cheeru was an Air Hostess, and it had been their dream to start their own restaurant. They were both well-travelled and decided that they would serve South East Asian food. The restaurant is currently run by their daughter, Ilvika Chandawarkar.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
Thai cuisine itself was very new in India back then and became popular only later. At the time, not too many people were eating Thai food and so it was also not something that the Indian palate was familiar with. “Another challenge was the ingredients. For example, it was difficult to get galangal or lemongrass or Thai Basil, unlike now where you can find it so easily, and Pandan leaves were completely unheard of for most people. My parents also had some friends who owned farmlands and helped them grow some vegetables,” Ilvika tells us.
The Chandawarkars envisioned a restaurant that would bring the lesser-known yet vibrant flavours of Southeast Asia to Indian diners, but with a twist—fresh, locally sourced ingredients and an emphasis on sustainable and farm-to-table practices.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
What Makes Malaka Spice Special
The vision that the founders had was not only innovative but also forward-thinking, as it catered to a rising interest in international cuisines among Pune’s urban and cosmopolitan crowd. “I think the main reason that Malaka Spice has remained relevant is because we chase consistency. It's something that we really work hard on, on a daily basis. We take every feedback that a guest gives us super seriously. There are many ways in which we have tried to standardise our recipes,” says Ilvika.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
“The other thing that we do to remain relevant is that we like to change a bit with the times. Since early 2009 and even before that, we always did seasonal menus. So there was a summer, monsoon and a winter. That tradition continues till today. The seasonal menus help us to bring something new to the table every few months and keep engaging with our audience,” she tells us, pointing out that the restaurant recently revamped their cocktail programme and dessert menu.
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What To Order At Malaka Spice
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
At the heart of Malaka Spice’s success is its diverse menu, which takes diners on a culinary journey through the heart of Southeast Asia. While the dishes are inspired by traditional recipes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, they are reimagined with a modern flair. This fusion approach, combined with the restaurant’s insistence on fresh, high-quality ingredients, is what sets Malaka Spice apart. The restaurant still retains some of its bestsellers from the early days and those are the dishes one must try. The innovative Pineapple Fried Rice created by Cheeru Chandawarkar, the Chicken in Pandan leaves, the Lamb Chops, the Malaksa, the Top Hat, the Nan Thod Potatoes and the apple pie.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
“Back in the day, we did have pineapple rice and Lion's Head meatballs that my parents used to make. There were a lot of dishes that we did from 1997 to 2005 which were really revolutionary. At times when we pick through our entire recipe bundles and we find absolute gems in there. Malaka did a lot of things before its time. We used to do Korean food when I was 12 years old. My mother used to make Bibimbap in a heated stone bowl. Korean food was hardly talked about here, at the time,” Ilvika shares.
Her favourites at the restaurant include the spinach soup with rice as the perfect comfort food and a favourite with old-timers at the restaurant. She also loves the lamb chops and the pumpkin chips and highly recommends the seasonal produce from the farm.
Other popular dishes at the restaurant include the Duck Dumplings,the Malaysian Curry Laksa, the Thai curries, the Penang curry and the Yakitori Grills.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
Farm-to-Table
Malaka Spice owns Cherish Farms located 45 minutes away from Pune and grows most of its ingredients there. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and the farm-to-table concept is one of its core values. This includes everything from the leafy greens and herbs to some of the more exotic vegetables that feature prominently in their dishes and their bar menu.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
The farm-to-table philosophy ensures that the food is fresh and that seasonal ingredients are used to their fullest potential. The restaurant frequently updates its menu based on the produce available, allowing diners to experience a wide variety of dishes that are not only delicious but also sustainable and environmentally friendly. “I always recommend dishes made from the seasonal produce at cherish. For example, when we have mulberries, we make a delicious Mulberry Cake,” says Ilvika.
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The Ambiance
Apart from the food, Malaka Spice's ambiance is one of its most defining features. The restaurant’s open-air seating, lush greenery, and artistic decor create a relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere. The decor reflects the Southeast Asian theme with wooden furniture, bamboo accents, vibrant wall art, and lighting that draws inspiration from various Asian cultures. The garden seating at Malaka Spice is particularly popular, with its soothing environment enhanced by the natural beauty of plants and flowers. For many diners, this open, relaxed setting is part of the appeal.
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A Cultural Hub
Beyond food, Malaka Spice has evolved into a cultural hub in Pune, hosting art exhibitions, live music performances, and food festivals that celebrate different aspects of Southeast Asian culture. “We believe in community building. We've done this over the years from our charity foundation community, to creating a space for people who love wine, or creating space for people who are really passionate about books. So there's a lot of things which keep happening in the restaurant in terms of events related to these segments,” Ilvika says.
Photo Credit: Malaka Spice
Over the years, Malaka Spice has remained a favourite destination for food lovers seeking to explore the flavours of Southeast Asia, making it an essential part of Pune's diverse and evolving food scene.