Latest news with #panAsian
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meet the takeaway owner who has brought new pan-Asian dishes to Inverclyde
A POPULAR pan-Asian restaurant in Greenock is celebrating its second year serving up delicious food to customers who 'can't get enough' of the international flavours on their doorstep. Umami 17ngon on Argyle Street first opened in 2023, bringing a new type of takeaway to Inverclyde - a venture that restaurant owner Ben Egan says has been 'a fantastic opportunity'. The food blogger from Birmingham moved to Greenock eight years ago, having been convinced by his wife to start a new life in Inverclyde, bringing his passion for food with him. Ben opened 17ngon in 2023 and has brought a twist to the Inverclyde food scene (Image: George Munro) Each month Ben crafts a new Asian-inspired menu which sees him make dishes from countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Korea – all made from fresh ingredients and hand-made noodles. The 37-year-old honed his culinary skills by studying French classical cuisine at Birmingham College of Food - though having grown up in a household full of chefs, he's always had a love for cooking. "My love for food comes from my mum and grandfather," he said. 'I remember my mum had an old-school, 70s-style pastry book which would teach you how to make a chocolate cake using chocolate fingers and other really basic recipes. "But I loved reading ingredients and measurements, being able to visualise the grams and cups of things, and how a recipe would come together. 'My grandfather introduced me to indoor markets and fresh fish. He used to show me the very basics of cooking and a love for fresh produce.' Ben is now sharing his passion with the people of Inverclyde, having taken the leap to open his own place after building up a growing following for his food blog and YouTube channel, where he began demonstrating how to make his favourite dishes during the Covid lockdown. He told the Tele: 'There was a gap in the Inverclyde food scene, especially for a healthy takeaway alternative, and something bit different flavour profile wise. 'Seeing that was missing here, and also eating out here myself, I wanted something new. 'When you haven't had these flavours before, or tried things like fresh noodles or dough from scratch, whether that be dumplings or bao, it can be quite overwhelming compared to frozen ingredients or mass-produced food. "But you really do taste the difference. 'That's a big appeal for people and then they just keep coming back for the fresh ingredients and tasty food.' More by Isla believes anyone can cook, and hopes his online recipes and his monthly Greenock Telegraph recipe column will inspire more people to 'give something new a go'. He added: 'It's just knowing what to put together and having the foundations to say 'let's use X, Y and Z' and then build from that basic recipe and basic ingredients to make something more fancy or interesting.' On one of the busiest days this year for 17ngon, Ben says they cooked up 90 orders within two hours – an overwhelming task for any takeaway, but even more so when all the food is cooked in front of you. The takeaway owner says he is looking to expand the business to other parts of Inverclyde 'in the near future' as the restaurant establishes itself as a popular food spot in the town. 'I think the area is such a hidden gem," he said. "Inverclyde is a very pretty area, and there are incredible views. There is also lots of opportunity. 'And it's not just me. There are other businesses making moves, like Tonino's and The Alchemist, who are bringing a buzz to the Inverclyde food scene. "Its a perfect place for 17ngon."
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
50 shades of green: The most unique matcha dishes in Bengaluru and where to find them
Matcha or Japanese green tea is everywhere in menus. Way back in 2015, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, poster girl of all things healthy and trendy, posted a picture of a matcha latte on her Instagram. There was no looking back and matcha lattes became a trend globally. Chefs and restaurants in Bengaluru are taking this ingredient and giving it their own spin. Here are some of our favourite matcha creations in Bengaluru: Matcha-aam panna at Maverick & Farmer Artisanal coffee brand Maverick & Farmer have a seasonal matcha menu that is inspired by Indian flavours. Take the matcha aam panna for example. They define it as the recreation of a childhood summer favourite. The drink is made from scratch by slow-roasting green mangoes over charcoal to infuse the fruit with a smoky, earthy flavour. This aam panna base is prepared fresh every day using the traditional method. The drink is then topped with rock salt, smoked paprika and a vibrant matcha foam. 'The sweet-sour-salty balance of aam panna helps elevate the earthy umami notes of matcha even further,' says co-founder Ashish D'abreo. The drinks are priced at ₹270 upwards. At all outlets of Maverick & Farmer Matcha financier at Got Tea Got Tea cafe in Kalyan Nagar was started by YuSung Eo. A Korean native who went to school in Mussoorie. After a stint in the US and back home in Korea, he returned to India and opened the first Got Tea in Delhi. 'We have been serving matcha from day one. In Korea, matcha has been popular for a long time. It is an acquired taste, so it took some time for our customers to take to it'. Matcha is also delicate, so if it is stored incorrectly, it is easy for it to go bitter. 'We get our matcha from Shizuoka brand in Japan.' The cafe offers a matcha financier. A financier is a small French almond cake. This cake is topped with white chocolate and matcha glaze. In their beverage section, they offer a match-misu. A tiramisu drink where instead of espresso, the ladyfingers are soaked in matcha. The matcha financier is priced at ₹160. At Kalyan Nagar. For more details call, 9667440872 Matcha French toast at Nasi and Mee Nasi and Mee is known for its pan Asian dishes. Ujjain Singh, the corporate development chef, explains their matcha offerings, 'We have three matcha dishes in our menu. In our 'Shiok Breakfast Club' breakfast menu we have a Matcha French toast, we have a matcha panna cotta in our desserts, and we have a drink – matcha mel boba. We source our matcha from Singapore.' He says some desserts can be too sweet and matcha helps cut through the richness. The matcha French toast is made by soaking thick slices of brioche bread in milk and matcha tea. 'This gives the dish a very unique green colour.' The bread is then cooked on a pan and served with a matcha cream and a berry compote. 'The dish is completed by sprinkling more matcha powder on top.' ₹450. For breakfast only. At Convent Road. For more details, call 971802954 Matcha bingsu at Homiga The Korean barbecue restaurant Homiga was started by Minseong Seok. Originally from Seoul, Minseong came to India for work and started the restaurant in early 2024. Homiga serves premium Korean dishes and barbecue. Bingsu is a shaved ice dessert from Korea. Similar to ice golas in India, the bingsu is topped with many creative toppings. At Homiga, there are many flavours of bingsu, from mango to strawberry. But the matcha one is Minseong's favourite. The shaved ice itself is flavoured with matcha and condensed milk. 'We top our shaved ice with vanilla ice cream, red bean paste, rice cakes and crumbled crackers.' The whole thing is then topped with a matcha syrup. The result is a textural delight. ₹600. At Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Road. For more details, call 09611339046 Matcha and hojicha soft serve at Sakura Matcha Bar No story about matcha in Bengaluru is complete without the mention ofSakura Matcha Bar, a cafe wholly dedicated to matcha and specialty coffee. Located in Victoria Layout, the cafe was started in 2024 by Yashika V and Neha Reddy. On the menu are the usual suspects such as strawberry matcha latte and lavender matcha latte. What caught our eye was the matcha soft serve ice cream, especially the hojicha soft serve cones. Hojicha is a roasted version of matcha that has a nuttier flavour. The ice cream is deep brown in colour and has chocolate undertones. The ice creams are only available seasonally so check before you go. At Victoria Layout. For more details visit the brand's Instagram page What is matcha? Matcha is Japanese green tea. It is produced by shade growing tea leaves. By shade growing, the leaves get a distinct green colour and a vegetal, grassy and sometimes bitter taste. The leaves are then dried and powdered. The drink is prepared mixing this green powder in hot water. How is it different than other teas? We are used to regular black tea and green tea. Matcha is different from both. Regular black tea is not grown in the shade, it oxidises in the sun and gets its distinct black colour. It also has a stronger taste and caffeine content. When it comes to green tea, the leaves are plucked when they are young. Whereas with matcha the leaves are grown in the shade for 20 to 30 days, changing the taste. Other teas are consumed as leaves or powders that need to be strained, but matcha is had by mixing into water, no straining required.
