Asian seafood festival brings coastal flavours to Delhi

The fragrance of freshly steamed seafood, the sharp kick of ginger and spring onion, and the sizzling sound of butter chilli garlic sauces fill the air at Empress of China in Eros Hotel New Delhi. Diners stepping into the restaurant are welcomed not only by aromas from coastal Asia but also by an ambience designed to reflect the region’s rich culinary heritage.

The hotel has launched the Asian Seafood Extravaganza Fest, a culinary celebration that brings together an array of Thai, Chinese and Japanese seafood dishes. Running till March 16, the festival aims to offer Delhi’s food lovers an opportunity to explore East Asian flavours crafted with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.

A celebration of Asian coastal traditions

Seafood has long been a cornerstone of many Asian culinary traditions, particularly in coastal regions where freshness and simplicity define the cooking style. The festival at Empress of China seeks to recreate that spirit by presenting dishes that highlight the natural flavours of fish and shellfish while blending them with signature Asian spices and sauces.

Executive Chef Diwas Wadhera said the idea behind the festival was to create a culinary journey that transports diners across Asia’s diverse coastal regions.

“This is more than just a food festival – it’s an immersive dining experience,” Wadhera said. “Seafood cuisines across Asia are incredibly diverse, and each region has its own approach to flavours, textures and cooking styles. Through this festival, we wanted to bring those traditions together and give our guests a chance to experience them in a single setting.”

He added that the menu has been carefully curated to highlight both popular favourites and distinctive dishes that capture the essence of Asian seafood cooking.

“Our chefs have worked extensively on balancing flavours so that every dish feels authentic,” Wadhera said. “Freshness is the key element when it comes to seafood, and we have ensured that every preparation reflects that commitment.”

A menu designed to delight seafood lovers

The festival menu offers a wide range of dishes that celebrate the depth and variety of Asian seafood cuisine. From crispy starters to delicately steamed fish, the spread has been designed to satisfy both adventurous diners and those seeking familiar flavours.

Among the highlights are starters such as Crispy Corn Tempura served with wasabi mayonnaise, which delivers a crunchy texture paired with the gentle heat of wasabi. Another popular appetiser is Softshell Crab with butter chilli garlic, a dish that combines the richness of butter with the bold punch of chilli and garlic.

For the main course, diners can savour dishes such as Singapore-style Chilli Crab, known for its sweet, spicy and slightly tangy sauce that complements the freshness of crab meat. Another standout is Steamed Pomfret with ginger and spring onion in superior soya sauce, a preparation that emphasises delicate flavours and highlights the natural taste of the fish.

Wadhera said the menu reflects the philosophy of Asian seafood cooking, where ingredients are allowed to shine without being overshadowed by excessive seasoning.

“Seafood is delicate and requires a lot of precision,” he said. “The challenge is to enhance the flavours without overpowering them. In dishes like steamed pomfret or chilli crab, the balance between sauce, spice and freshness is extremely important.”

Creating an immersive dining atmosphere

Beyond the food, the festival aims to recreate the sensory experience of Asian dining. The restaurant has been decorated with Asian-inspired elements, and the ambience has been designed to evoke the warmth and vibrancy associated with East Asian culinary culture.

Soft lighting, elegant décor and carefully plated dishes come together to create a setting that encourages diners to slow down and savour their meals. For many guests, the experience feels like a culinary journey across different parts of Asia.

According to the hotel’s culinary team, the festival also reflects the growing popularity of Asian cuisine in Delhi, where diners are increasingly exploring international flavours and experimenting with diverse food traditions.

Guests share their impressions

Visitors attending the festival have been appreciating the diversity of the menu as well as the freshness of the seafood preparations.

Rohit Malhotra, a Delhi-based food enthusiast who visited the restaurant with friends, said the dishes reminded him of his travels across Southeast Asia.

“The chilli crab here has the same balance of flavours that you find in Singapore,” he said. “It’s spicy, slightly sweet and very comforting. You can tell that the chefs have paid attention to authenticity.”

For Priya Kapoor, who visited the festival with her family, the variety of dishes stood out the most.

“What I liked is that the menu doesn’t focus on just one cuisine,” she said. “You have Thai, Chinese and Japanese influences all together. It’s like a small tour of Asian seafood flavours.”

Another guest, Karan Mehta, said the freshness of the ingredients made the experience memorable.

“Seafood festivals are not very common in Delhi, so this feels special,” he said. “The softshell crab is crispy and flavourful, and the steamed pomfret is incredibly light and fragrant.”

Neha Sharma, a young professional visiting with colleagues after work, appreciated the balance between flavour and presentation.

“The dishes look beautiful when they arrive at the table,” she said. “But more importantly, the flavours are very refined. Nothing feels too heavy or overpowering.”

A growing appetite for Asian cuisine

Over the past decade, Asian cuisine has steadily gained popularity in Delhi’s dining scene. Restaurants across the city have introduced dishes inspired by Thai, Japanese and Chinese culinary traditions, reflecting a growing curiosity among diners.

Food festivals such as the Asian Seafood Extravaganza are part of this broader trend, offering guests a chance to explore specialised menus that focus on particular ingredients or regional styles.

Wadhera believes such events help introduce diners to new culinary experiences while also celebrating the richness of Asian food culture.

“People in Delhi are becoming more adventurous with their food choices,” he said. “Festivals like this allow us to showcase authentic flavours and introduce guests to dishes they may not have tried before.”

A flavourful journey through Asia

With its carefully curated menu, elegant setting and emphasis on fresh ingredients, the Asian Seafood Extravaganza Fest aims to provide diners with a memorable culinary experience.

Held at Empress of China in Eros Hotel New Delhi, the festival is open for lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:45 PM and dinner from 7:00 PM to 11:45 PM.

For seafood lovers in the capital, the event offers an opportunity to savour the diverse flavours of Asia’s coastal cuisines – one plate at a time.