India has always been a land of culinary legacies; shaped by trade routes, royal kitchens, and the kind of regional pride that makes every meal a story. MKT at The Chanakya brings that story to the table with India Unbound, a Modern Indian Popup Menu now available as a specially curated offering; a thoughtful culinary showcase that is well worth showing up for.
At the heart of India Unbound is a careful interplay between nostalgia and reinvention. Chef Gunjit Chawla, whose culinary sensibility has been shaped by years of travelling across India and immersing himself in its regional kitchens, has crafted a menu that holds on to the soul of classic Indian cooking while pushing its textures, balance, and presentation into new territory. From the refined kitchens of Lucknow to the spice-laden coasts of Mangalore and the robust flavours of Rajasthan, every dish carries a distinct regional essence; familiar enough to stir something, refined enough to surprise.
The techniques are as considered as the ingredients. Dum, dhungaar, gentle braising, and pot cooking; methods that have shaped Indian cooking for generations; are employed with precision, allowing each dish to develop depth without losing character. Specialty ingredients such as Kashmiri saffron, morels, coastal spices, and traditional masalas are woven through the menu, each chosen to reflect the authenticity of the region it represents rather than simply adding to the spectacle.
Available as a dedicated à la carte selection throughout the day, India Unbound gives guests the freedom to build their own experience. Vegetarian highlights include the Tempura Okra Chaat, Pressed Dahi Kebab, Gucchi Galouti, Kashmiri Dum Aloo, and Khubani Kofta. On the non-vegetarian side, the Bhatti Murgh Roast, Mangalorean Ghee Roast Chicken, Amritsari Rava Fish, Rogan Josh, and Champaran Lamb Shank make for a line-up that covers serious ground. For those dining in groups, the fondue-style sharing selection; Butter Chicken Fondue, Punjabi Maash Fondue, and Missal Fondue; bring something more interactive to the table.
Certain dishes, however, are already in a league of their own. The Lucknowi Galouti Pâté, with its layered delicacy and depth, and the Charred Lamb Seekh, bold and smoky in equal measure, are the kind of dishes guests will find themselves thinking about long after the meal. Among the vegetarian offerings, the Gucchi Galouti and Pressed Dahi Kebab strike a balance of richness and refinement that is difficult to ignore.
The bar has kept pace with a curated cocktail selection crafted specifically to complement the flavours of India Unbound. The Jamun Highball, Clarified Rasam, and Kokum-Tini each bring a contemporary Indian sensibility to the glass, extending the menu’s regional storytelling beyond the plate and into the overall experience.
With a meal for two priced at ₹2,500, India Unbound at MKT is an invitation to sit down, take time, and let the experience unfold at its own pace. It is the kind of thoughtfully composed culinary expression that feels considered from start to finish, and one that deserves to be experienced while it is on the table.
