From sushi rolls swaddled in mango slices to the nostalgic comfort of mango sticky rice, YouMee’s ongoing Manga Matsuri is nothing short of a tropical-Asian love affair. The homegrown Pan-Asian brand, popular for its animated manga-themed décor and playful take on Japanese, Chinese, and Thai flavours, has launched a mango-centric seasonal menu available across all its outlets in Delhi. But does it deliver the zing promised by the king of fruits, or is it just another summer gimmick riding the mango craze?
At first glance, Manga Matsuri (not to be confused with Japan’s comic festivals of the same name) is vibrant and ambitious. The curated menu cleverly embeds mango into dishes spanning across culinary traditions—from Japanese sushi to Thai curries and Korean bar bites. The hero of the lineup is undoubtedly the mango curry: a velvety coconut-based dish laced with the soft sweetness of ripe mango. Available in vegetarian, chicken, and prawn versions, the curry hits the right notes—warm, comforting, and summery, without being cloyingly sweet.
One of the more impressive starters is the raw mango salad. Refreshing and lively, it balances sweet and tart flavours with the crunch of crispy rice and red onions—a dish that truly embodies the spirit of summer. Dumpling lovers are in for a visual treat with the delicate OMG Veg Dumpling and the intricately shaped delicate Chicken Dumpling. While the former bursts with the clean taste of daikon and chives, the latter leans into familiar comfort food territory with its chicken and spring onion filling.
Where YouMee gets more experimental is with its sushi offerings. The Mango Delight Roll and the Spicy Kanikama uramaki bring mango into the sushi conversation with mixed results. While the Mango Delight’s pairing with avocado and cucumber works surprisingly well, the sweetness of the fruit occasionally overwhelms the balance of flavours that good sushi demands. The Spicy Kanikama fares better, with crab stick and tanuki flakes holding their own against the fruit’s brightness.
A surprising hit is the Korean Fried Chicken Wings—crispy, sticky, and packed with umami. The gochujang glaze adds heat, while the subtle undertones of mango keep things exciting. Equally delightful are the Shrimp Tempura and Avocado Bites, served on crisp lettuce cups, offering a clean, light counterpoint to heavier fare.
That said, not everything hits the mark. The Fish Fillet with Fruit Salsa, while intriguing in theory, ends up being the weakest link. The Tropical Salsa, meant to uplift, falls flat—too tangy and uneven in texture, which distracts from the well-fried fish beneath. Similarly, the Ho Fun Noodles (available in mushroom and chicken versions) are generously portioned but lack the punch and wok-char that noodle lovers often crave.
On the sweet end, the festival wraps up strong. The Mango Sticky Rice—steamed rice with salted coconut cream—offers a gentle, Thai-style finish to the meal, while the Mango Sago Pudding layers diced fruit and milky sago pearls into a chilled, nostalgic comfort dessert. Both desserts stay true to their regional roots while highlighting the mango front and centre.
Rohit Aggarwal, Co-founder and MD of Lite Bite Foods, says, “With Manga Matsuri, we wanted to celebrate the vibrancy of mango season by blending it seamlessly into the soul of Pan-Asian cuisine… it’s our way of giving honour to the king of fruits.”
YouMee deserves credit for its creativity and thematic coherence. Manga Matsuri isn’t just a summer special—it’s a flavourful risk that pays off more often than not. And for those who worship mango season, this playful feast offers plenty of reasons to indulge before the last fruit of summer disappears.
Also Read: Small eateries, big flavours: Why less is more in the culinary world
Manga Matsuri by YouMee is available across all outlets in India till the end of July.
Cost for two: Rs 1800 approximately
Patriot was invited by YouMee for a visit. However, this is not a paid piece.
