Haiku, one of Hyderabad’s favourite Asian food spots, was where I was last week when a friend visiting the city wanted to try Asian cuisine. Now, if you ask me about my favourite cuisines, I usually mention Indian, Italian, and Middle Eastern. Asian food rarely makes the cut, a preference shaped by my school days when the mess didn’t serve great Asian food – read desi Chinese.
While my love for Asian food has yet to fully blossom, I’ve learned to appreciate it over the years, especially after tasting Asian food in Hyderabad. Though I don’t crave it often, I’m open to having it from time to time.
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience dining at Haiku—everything from the ambience to the food, desserts, and more.
Haiku – Basic & Cosy Setup
One of the OG places in Hyderabad for Asian Food, Haiku, has multiple branches, one in Banjara Hills and the other one in Gachibowli. It’s located behind Atrium Mall in Gachibowli and is fairly easy to locate. They have a valet parking service, so you can drop your car and get it.
Compared to the fancy places in the vicinity, this outlet isn’t a very fancy one, but it still provides a cosy and comfortable dining experience. The space isn’t very large, but it makes up for it with its charming ambience.
A few well-placed tables and large window panes on one side let natural light pour in during the day. The evening lighting is warm and welcoming, perfect for a relaxed meal. The cutlery and setup are simple and functional, maintaining an understated elegance.
To add some liveliness, the restaurant features green planters throughout, bringing a touch of nature indoors.
Asian Food At Haiku – Review
The menu at Haiku doesn’t have a physical menu, which I would have preferred, but it does offer a decent variety of vegetarian options alongside its non-vegetarian dishes. While not overwhelming, the selection covers a good range of Asian flavours, making it a solid choice for vegetarians and meat lovers. We decided to try a mix of both to get the best of both worlds.
We started with the Turnip Cake, which was nothing short of outstanding. This crispy, savoury cake had a perfect balance of flavours, with the turnip’s natural sweetness pairing beautifully with the other ingredients. It brought back memories of having the same dish at Ohm at Avasa.
Next, we ordered Edamame Truffle Dimsums, which were delicately done and bursting with flavour. The truffle oil gave the dimsums a rich, savoury taste that perfectly complemented the edamame filling. Then we ordered the Som Yam Salad, a raw papaya salad with a generous amount of nuts and a well-balanced, spicy kick that I liked. It was fresh, tangy, and light, making it a perfect appetizer.
I went with my go-to dish for the mains: Sticky Rice with Thai Green Curry. Over time, I’ve developed a love for Thai Green Curry, and Haiku’s creation was beautifully executed. The rich, aromatic, and flavorful curry with tender vegetables was spot on. However, the portion of rice could’ve been a bit more generous.
To round off the meal, we ordered a Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake, a divine dessert to finish the meal on a sweet note. We also tried a couple of mocktails, though the mocktail options were limited, and that’s an area where Haiku could expand. Nonetheless, it didn’t take away from the overall experience, which was delightful.
Haiku – Reliable Destination for Delicious Asian Flavors
Haiku is one of Hyderabad’s oldest and most beloved Asian restaurants, boasting a loyal following. The food quality has remained consistent over the years, which is why it’s a go-to for Asian food in Hyderabad. While this outlet isn’t particularly fancy, it offers all the basic elements needed for a comfortable dining experience.
The menu strikes a good balance between vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes; the ones I tried were all satisfying. At Rs 4200 for 3 people, the pricing was quite reasonable for the experience. Overall, Haiku is a dependable choice for anyone craving delicious Asian food in Hyderabad.
Further, if you have any queries regarding this trip and route, please feel free to ask in the comments below, tweet me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram or Get In Touch.