India’s ‘hot’ dining trend: spicy numbing Sichuan cuisine and stories on the menu at Mumbai supper club House of Málà
- Supper clubs are springing up across India, and one of the hottest is House of Málà in Mumbai, run by sisters Prachi and Saloni Gupta
- House of Málà serves spicy and numbing Sichuan dishes, and diners hear stories about the Chinese cuisine, which is proving popular with Indian palates
House of Málà, established by sisters Prachi and Saloni Gupta, is one of Mumbai’s hottest supper clubs – figuratively as well as literally.
“Step into our vibrant world of laughter, fun, and delightful conversations. Our supper club is a place where memories are made, taste buds are ignited, and friendships flourish. Join us for an evening filled with joy, as we create an unforgettable dining experience together,” reads a post on its Instagram page.
The sisters’ servings of Sichuan cuisine are part of a post-pandemic trend across India for immersive supper clubs run by home chefs, and pop-ups that offer intimate dining.
When the pair travelled to Hong Kong and mainland China, they were won over by the bold and spicy flavours of Sichuan cuisine, and its liberal use of garlic and chilli peppers.
The sisters realised that, although Indians are very fond of Chinese food, they generally ate Indian Chinese food adapted to suit local palates.
Struck by the absence of Sichuan cuisine in their home city, the Guptas saw an opportunity to give Mumbai diners an experience centred around spicy fare from the region of southwest China, with storytelling at a shared table where strangers could become friends while exploring new dishes.
