THE ART OF PAIRING
SAICHO AND LEELA CELEBRATE GREATER INDIA THROUGH SPARKLING TEA
In the heart of Hong Kong, where culinary storytelling meets refined Indian cuisine, Saicho's "Art of Pairing" series has discovered an exceptional collaborator. At Leela, Chef Manav Tuli is crafting a narrative that spans centuries and continents, proving that sparkling tea can enhance the complex, layered flavours of Greater India with remarkable sophistication.
Chef
Chef Manav Tuli
Cuisine
Indian
Location
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND TASTE
Leela represents more than just a restaurant - it's a culinary journey through Greater India circa 330 BC, where ancient traditions meet contemporary finesse. Under Chef Manav Tuli's thoughtful guidance, the restaurant embraces what he calls a "sense of place," adventurously exploring local Hong Kong ingredients through the lens of Indian culinary heritage.
"My style of cooking is, I love the words balanced and refined," explains Chef Manav. "At Leela, our food is also playful. We genuinely believe in a concept called a 'sense of place,' where we try to be adventurous with local ingredients."
A NATURAL CONNECTION
When Chef Manav first encountered Saicho's sparkling teas, the connection was immediate and surprising. "When we came to know about Saicho, I was intrigued," he recalls. "Once we tried these three flavours—the Hojicha, Darjeeling and Jasmine—it was actually an easy match and we were surprised how well they actually go with Indian food."
THREE SIGNATURE PAIRINGS: A SYMPHONY OF FLAVOURS
For this collaboration, Chef Manav highlighted three signature dishes that showcase the remarkable synergy between Indian cuisine and Saicho's sparkling teas:
TOKRI CHAAT WITH SAICHO JASMINE
The experience begins with Tokri Chaat, a dish that embodies the complexity of Indian street food elevated to fine dining. "This dish is sweet, spicy, sour, dry but it is moist, it is tangy but it is spicy and sweet all at the same time," describes Chef Manav.
Paired with Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea, the combination achieves perfect harmony. "To have Jasmine tea as the one running along with this dish was perfect because of the sweet flavour and sparkly bubbles of this tea, it actually accompanies Tokri Chaat very well." The floral elegance and gentle effervescence of the jasmine tea navigates the dish's multiple flavour dimensions with grace.
HONEY SESAME PORK RIBS WITH SAICHO DARJEELING
The second course features pork ribs prepared with a specially developed marinade that balances spice, sweetness, and tangy. "We came up with a recipe which was a bit more spicy and a bit more sweeter and a bit more tangy," Chef Manav explains. "This particular marinade cuts through the fattiness of pork."
Saicho Darjeeling Sparkling Tea provides the ideal accompaniment. "To accompany that, I think Darjeeling does exactly the best work because if the tea was too sweet it would not accompany very well. It has just the right amount of tannin to go along with that particular marinade." The tea's bright complexity and subtle astringency create a perfect counterbalance to the rich, boldly flavoured meat.
SMOKED BUTTER CHICKEN WITH SAICHO HOJICHA
The finale showcases Leela's signature dish - one that appears on every table, every night. "Any Indian menu is incomplete without having a butter chicken," notes Chef Manav. But this isn't just any butter chicken—it's smoked, adding layers of complexity to the beloved classic.
"To go along with this dish, you really need a strong competitor and Hojicha I think does just the right thing because it has that earthiness, that hay flavour, that grass smokiness, it goes perfectly well." Saicho Hojicha Sparkling Tea's roasted character and gentle smokiness create a dialogue with the dish that feels both natural and revelatory.
REDEFINING INDIAN FINE DINING PAIRINGS
This collaboration represents something significant in the evolution of Indian fine dining. Historically, pairing drinks with Indian cuisine has presented unique challenges - the complexity of spices, the interplay of textures, and the bold flavour profiles require drinks that can hold their own without overwhelming the food.
Chef Manav and Saicho have discovered that sparkling tea offers a sophisticated solution. The effervescence cleanses the palate, the tea's natural complexity matches the layered spicing, and the diverse flavour profiles—from floral to earthy to bright—provide versatility across different dishes.
A SHARED PHILOSOPHY OF BALANCE AND REFINEMENT
What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is the alignment of philosophies between Leela and Saicho. Just as Chef Manav pursues balance and refinement in his cooking while remaining playful and adventurous, Saicho approaches tea with reverence for tradition while embracing innovation through sparkling interpretation.
Each Saicho tea brings its own story of terroir - from the Himalayan gardens where Darjeeling develops its muscatel brightness, to the roasting houses of Japan where Hojicha gains its distinctive character, to the high-altitude fields of Fujian where jasmine blossoms infuse their floral essence into green tea.
THE ART OF PAIRING CONTINUES
The Leela collaboration represents another milestone in Saicho's "Art of Pairing" series, demonstrating how sparkling tea can elevate cuisines rooted in deep culinary traditions. This partnership invites diners to experience Indian fine dining through a new lens - one where terroir-driven sparkling teas create perfect harmony with the complex, nuanced flavours of Greater India.
By honouring tradition while embracing innovation, both Leela and Saicho are proving that the future of fine dining lies in finding unexpected connections that enhance rather than overshadow. Together, they're creating experiences that speak to both heritage and possibility.
Experience the Leela x Saicho collaboration at Leela Hong Kong. This partnership celebrates the marriage of Greater India's culinary legacy with the artistry of sparkling tea, creating moments of balanced refinement with every pairing.
To book visit - https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/leela
