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The Hindu

MadCo in Chennai hosts limited-edition Asian pop-up lunch

At MadCo, Chennai's intimate speakeasy, the lunch service is about to take an unexpected turn. Over the weekend, Chef Mathangi Kumar will step into the kitchen with a special Asian pop-up, bringing together dishes inspired by her travels and a deep affinity for layered flavour. 'There are a lot of great Asian places in Chennai, but there are no fun takes, and at MadCo, we always try to incorporate interesting elements. We have never done anything in its original form,' says Mathangi. The five-course menu leans into umami-rich ingredients, thoughtful textures, and small, expressive plates, offering diners a glimpse into an evolving interpretation of Asian cuisine. According to the chef, the Asian menu began with the inception of beer cocktails at the bar. 'They are light and playful, and it hits you less than a regular cocktail. So the menu came together to compliment this concept.' The meal begins with a Japanese-style sesame salad featuring seared romaine and crunchy Wai-Wai doused in a sesame based dressing. It is then followed by two dim sum courses — with options like Thai green curry chicken, truffled mushroom and asparagus and water chestnut. Then comes the small plates. 'You can choose three small plates, and can even repeat the same one,' says the chef. Standouts include a Tangra-style Chinese chaat, silken tofu in Sichuan panko, fried chicken done three ways, and the lotus stem with curry leaves. For the mains, chef has taken a page from her own past and dived back into the Mala noodles as one of the options. 'It is a cherished memory because I came up with the Mala noodles during the pandemic, so I have brought it back and elevated it,' she adds. Other mains options include a delicate truffle beef fried rice with jasmine rice and a runny egg on top. For dessert, diners can pick from a warm French toast topped with a matcha mascarpone crème, ginger panna cotta, or an upside down warm miso caramel apple cake. For reservations, directions, and the day's password, DM madco_Chennai on Instagram. Lunch will be served from noon to 4pm @₹2,500+ taxes.