Delhi’s first ever Robatayaki Festival at b-bar

I was invited by b-bar team to try their Japanese famed grill and barbecue cooking. They have organised stand- alone Robatayaki Festival to celebrate Japanese cuisine. My first visit to b-bar as a blogger was extremely extraordinary. 

Robatayaki, which literally means “fireside-cooking” in Japanese is often shortened to just Robata and refers to a method of cooking similar to a barbecue in which items of food on skewers or iron griddles are slow-grilled over hot charcoal. It is the original traditional Japanese style of barbecue cooking which is prepared in front of customers and is served directly, similar to the manner of Sushi preparation and presentation.

Since there was everything live in the restaurant and guest can actually look the cooking procedure and of course can select their choice from the carefully selected seasonal vegetables, seafood, poultry and meat from Robata section. Chefs then delicately grill the same with the guest’s choice of glaze to perfection.

I interacted with Chef Richard B and appreciated the selection of menu which features a mix of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. He explained the classic combinations of Robatayaki Cooking. Guests can sample an array of exotic meat preparations featuring Rock Lobster, Jumbo prawns, Salmon, Baby Chicken or go for vegan favourites such as Asparagus, Eggplant, Bottle Gourd etc served with a choice of glaze and sauces. 

The ambience of the restaurant was so perfect, you can give your entire focus on the food and the soft music at the background gone so well with atmosphere. 

I must say the food was very healthy, tasty and experience has amazed me and insist me to visit again.  

  

Buddhist religious leader from India inaugurates newly restored Ashoka Stupa in China.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of the Drukpa Order with over one thousand monasteries across the Himalayas, created history by inaugurating the millennia old Ashoka Stupa in Nangchen , which was restored under the supervision of Drukpa monks over the last decade. 

Nangchen is a county in the Yushu prefecture in Qinghai province, neighbouring the Tibetan Chamdo district. This region was historically an important centre of trade and culture which makes it an ideal location for a symbol of humanism. Buddhist scriptures explain that Emperor Ashoka commissioned the construction of this Stupa in order to spread the message of Buddhism. Legend has it that over 80,000 such Stupas were built to enshrine the relics of the Buddha and that nineteen such Stupas were built in China.

The Stupa at Nangchen fell to ruin over the last few centuries. The discovery of a pillar inscribed with the history of the Stupa at the site revived interest in the site and brought awareness of its significance. Devotees and practitioners resurrected the site under the leadership of the late Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche. With Rinpoche’s untimely passing in 2007, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa decided to work with Adeu Rinpoche’s nephew, Trulshik Satrul Rinpoche, to complete the restoration of Ashoka, with active support of Drukpa followers from Asia, Europe, America and all corners of the world.