A peek at Pune’s latest Asian restaurant, Izipizi Street

Have you even experienced Bangkok, Hanoi, or Hong Kong if you have not sat by the side of the road, on a rickety plastic chair, and tucked into wickedly aromatic bowls of noodles, broths, and dim sum – wiping your mouth with your hands as you slurped along in contentment?

I am feeling a distinct sense of Asian culinary déjà vu, except I am far removed from the chaotic street markets of Southeast Asia, and instead I am in the heart of Pune’s verdant, bar-and-bistro saturated district of Kalyani Nagar. Izipizi Street hits you with its concept before it seduces you with its food. This is Asian flair ramped up to 11 – playful, faithful to its origin story, merging an elevated street vibe with bowls and plates hinting at much deliciousness.

 Individual hawker carts sell distinct staples of the Asian food experience
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Special Arrangement

A slender al fresco half winds its way in playful homage. Individual hawker carts sell distinct staples of the Asian food experience – a cart busy with dim sum preparations, another peddling dependably quirky Asian street memorabilia (expect to see me in the ’Unless you’re Korean, I don’t want your drama’ T-shirt in your neighbourhood soon). Overhead, red lanterns sway lazily in the magic of a Pune breeze. Those ubiquitous Asian red plastic chairs and mahjong tables lie strewn in spacious seating islands, while neon and laughter culminates in a standing bar where bubble tea and matcha accompany impromptu flirtation.

The indoor section is as much of an homage to the street food market environment – rattan and worn iron chairs, a stylish open bar, a hawker cart for sushi, another sizzling with the burn from robata grills, and a communal chabudai that seats approximately fourteen. It is all very Tokyo Drift meets Bangkok Delight. But all the conceptual glory, neon, and theatre would fall on its face if the food were not up to the mark.

Dishes at Izipizi Street
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The opening salvo of the Shio Koji Fried Chicken quickly puts those fears to rest. This is rendered izakaya-style deep-fried chicken with a strong umami accent, courtesy of the fermented, natural Japanese seasoning. Skewers of lush yakitori sing on the backs of a sharp teriyaki glaze and flavoured chilli oil. “The food and the experience here are born from our travels through Asia, our passion for bringing those authentic urban flavours and that street spirit to this city,” says Chef-Partner Hanoze Shroff, referring to himself and the other partners at Together Hospitality – Vijeta Singh and Karan Khilnani.

Food at Izipizi Street
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The food falters slightly in places, as with the raw mango salad that lacks any discernible oomph, or the deep-fried curry leaf calamari that is too greasy on the palate, or even the hot garlic chicken dim-sum whose notes of garlic are overpowered by the Sichuan chilli oil. For the most part though, the menu rises above the ordinary in Hanoze’s deft hands. Tangra pork chili pays accurate homage to Kolkata’s Chinese-style spare ribs and belly, tangoing with green chillies, soy, and coriander. The silken tofu is a culinary marvel – young pea, avocado and bright dashi tomato settling into the sweet artistry of coconut tigre de leche. The char kway teow is an earthy, rustic standout – Singapore-style flat rice noodles whipped into core deliciousness via eggs, wok-tossed vegetables, toasted peanuts, and smoky chicken.

Izipizi Street
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Coming from the people behind the heavily awarded Cobbler & Crew, Elephant & Co, Gather, and Juju, Izipizi Street has big steps to follow.

As you immerse yourself in the ambiance, you begin to appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into the making of this address. Kitschy stickers pop out at unexpected places, but nothing appears jarring; instead, a wild symphony ties everything together. Partner Vijeta’s branding firm Rare Ideas ought to take a bow for the vibe, authenticity, detailing, and sense of joy that floods every aspect of the Izipizi Street experience.

A snapshot of Izipizi Street
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Having spent a few hours here, what is become clear to me is that more than being cuisine or region-specific, Izipizi Street is a mood-specific address. You stroll in off the street and head to moto moto sushi, to enjoy the full-blown spicy tuna, avocado, togarashi, tenkasu, and jalapeño salsa crunch bomb that is Itachi. Now you are in the mood for a drink, and mixologist Arijit Bose’s unfussy, ingredient-driven drinks programme, overseen by Sarthak Bisht, who’s the man behind the bar, mixing and handing out drinks. He presents you with the Skyy vodka, lychee, passion fruit, and kaffir lime rejuvenation of a ’Juicy’. You drink, you settle in for a meal, you talk, you discover.

Chances are, you will end things off at Izipizi Street’s glass-walled, fishbowl-like karaoke room – a 20-person marvel of kitsch and colour that also serves as a private dining room. Amid awful singing and much laughter, you will realise that togetherness is a core ethic at Izipizi Street. ’Kindness wins’ lies scrawled across the main menu. Here at Izipizi Street, intimacy and flavour win as well.

Published – April 18, 2026 11:43 am IST