Mumbai’s celebrated Asian restaurant KOKO expands to Hyderabad

It is a busy Saturday for a place set in the heart of the IT centre in Hyderabad. Located in HITEC City, KOKO is strategically placed to serve both the bustling work crowd from the surrounding offices and families or couples looking for a Southeast Asian fine dining experience. 

Originating from Mumbai’s celebrated culinary landscape, the restaurant, founded by the Tham Brothers’ Pebble Street Hospitality, creates an experience from the word get-go, with a red tunnel leading to the restaurant. 

Keeping in mind the access to multiple offices, it has a private dining space, well-positioned for business meetings or team lunches. The beautiful red dome painted ceiling adds a striking visual element that complements the overall vibe. 

The interior design at KOKO, crafted by Essajees Atelierled under the direction of Principal Designer Sarah Sham, has a mix of wicker lamps, origami lights, and murals—a hat-tip to the restaurant’s Southeast Asian aesthetics. 

The 10,000-square-foot space offers a comfortable yet stylish atmosphere, and has a variety of seating options—from high chairs to more intimate private nooks and tables.

Settling down for lunch, the idea of a vegetarian carpaccio sounded appetising. The tender coconut carpaccio with Ponzu drizzle and crunchy quinoa was a refreshing break from the run-of-the-mill appetizers. KOKO’s signature dish was licked clean for its surprising marriage of flavours and textures. 

While the spicy poached dumplings lived up to the hype, what really stood out was the smoked Brie and scallion dumpling—a match made in heaven, offsetting the salt of the cheese with the balance of sweet scallions. The fluffy baos and nigiri offer comfort food for those looking for their favourite fare. 

The Hamachi maki sushi roll made with yellowtail fish lived up to expectations, and the signature Lantern chicken, being a crowd-puller, is perfectly tailored to satisfy the Indian palate, with its saucy Asian fare. The signature crispy pork belly cleaned up with a side of the house chilli-oil is a winner.

The restaurant boasts other signature dishes such as silken tofu, asparagus and pine nuts in spicy plum sauce for the vegetarians, and Peking duck with pancake.

KOKO’s celebrated cocktails are in a league of their own with the Tom Yum Cup—boozy and chilled version of the Tom Yum Soup—taking center stage with its notes of Galangal, Thai Chilli, lemongrass, and lime brought together with Absolut vodka. 

Dessert at KOKO is an experience in itself, offering a range of treats. The selection includes classics like the coffee pecan nut mousse, the dark chocolate, truffle mousse and ice cream loaded Forest Log Law, and the innovative Who Stole My Cheese, bringing together Miso brown butter cheesecake, honeycomb, fruit sorbet with pretzels, and almond crumble. 

The food is a trip around the best flavours of Asia and the perfect setting for good conversations over great food. 

KOKO’s is now open in Hyderabad at Ground Floor, Tower 30, RMZ Nexity in HITEC City.

Meal for two costs Rs 3,500 approximately (without alcohol).