Green Neko

I walked into Green Neko just as someone on their way out was complimenting the chef, which is always an assuring sign. The Humayunpur space (there are two other outlets in Safdarjung and the NFC Community Centre) is on the smaller side, with an open kitchen and cute branding built around its name (neko means cat in Japanese). 

Ramen’s the obvious choice – most diners are hunched over their steaming bowls – but the poke bowls are fairly tantalising too. Styled as Hawaiian salads, they come with nine toppings. You pick a base (Japanese rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice), a protein (chicken, paneer, tofu, shrimp, tuna or salmon), and then it all comes layered with vegetables like sweet corn, cucumber, purple cabbage, seaweed salad, edamame, avocado, pickles, fried onion and garlic. 

I got the teriyaki chicken with a Japanese rice base. The chicken was well seasoned, and every bite brought a different texture or flavour, making the bowl feel filling. Condiments like the Japanese spicy mayo kept it from tasting flat or too clean.

The menu also covers fuller meals: vegetable and shrimp tempura, chicken karaage, takoyaki-style octopus balls, along with ramen, donburi and a playful dessert section with bubble waffles and strawberry sandos. One thing Green Neko does particularly well is presentation. Food here is colourful, artfully put together, and immediately appetising.

The Humayunpur outlet has only a handful of tables, but the window-facing bar seats are ideal for solo dates and people-watching.