Chef Worapon Boontee brings Southeast Asian curries to Mumbai

A taste of Southeast Asia lands in Mumbai

Mumbai's food scene is about to get a fresh infusion of Southeast Asian flavours. Chef Worapon Boontee, a Thai culinary expert, is bringing the curry traditions of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to the city.

Through a series of pop-up dinners and cooking workshops, Boontee aims to introduce Mumbaikars to the depth and diversity of curries that define the region's food culture.

Curry beyond the usual suspects

The chef's menus go far beyond the familiar Thai green and red curries. Boontee is showcasing lesser-known preparations, including rich Malaysian rendang, tangy Thai sour curry, and the coconut-heavy laksa from Singapore.

Each dish is built on a base of freshly ground spice pastes. Boontee sources many ingredients locally in Mumbai, adapting traditional recipes without compromising on authenticity.

“The idea is to show how curry is not just one dish. It is a whole family of flavours,” Boontee said during a recent tasting session.

Workshops and pop-ups

Boontee is hosting pop-up dinners at select venues across the city, where each course highlights a different regional curry. The events are designed to be immersive, with the chef explaining the origins and techniques behind each dish.

Alongside the dinners, cooking workshops teach participants how to prepare spice pastes from scratch. These sessions focus on techniques like toasting and grinding spices, which are central to Southeast Asian cooking.

The workshops have drawn food enthusiasts and home cooks curious about recreating these flavours in their own kitchens.

Bringing traditions to a new audience

Boontee’s effort is part of a broader trend of regional chefs introducing Indian audiences to authentic pan-Asian cuisines beyond the standard stir-fry and dim sum offerings.

By using local produce and spices, the chef is making these dishes accessible without cutting corners on taste. The pop-ups are expected to continue over the next few months, with plans to expand to other Indian cities.

For now, Mumbai’s curry lovers have a rare chance to taste the traditions of three countries in one sitting.

What comes next? Boontee is already in talks with restaurants in Delhi and Bengaluru for similar events. The journey of Southeast Asia's curry traditions across India is just getting started.