MUMBAI: Sushi has flown all the way from Japan to India, but on Akasa Air it appears to have taken a rather unexpected detour, to coastal Karnataka. The airline’s latest Café Akasa menu features “Chicken Pulimunchi Sushi”, a sushi-shaped creation that swaps the traditional raw fish and nori for the fiery, tangy flavours of Karnataka’s chicken pulimunchi.The dish is among a new set of inflight offerings launched by Akasa Air on Wednesday, as the airline seeks to add more variety, and a little culinary theatre, to what passengers can eat at 30,000 feet. The menu is the fourth since the airline began operations in August 2022 and includes gourmet, protein-rich and health-focused options alongside more familiar fare.The Chicken Pulimunchi Sushi combines the flavours of the coastal Karnataka preparation with the globally recognisable sushi format. There is, however, no raw fish involved, nor the customary nori seaweed associated with sushi. Think of it as sushi by shape and inspiration, rather than sushi in the traditional sense.Other new additions include a Vietnamese Chicken Salad, Grilled Chicken Steak with mango achari relish, an Asian Chicken Sandwich and a Tandoori Soya Wrap, a Jain-friendly option featuring tandoori-marinated soya and fresh vegetables, the airline said. A Kids Sky Treats combo has also been added.The beverage menu gets a Himalayan twist with Pepping Sea Buckthorn, made with the distinctive berry, while Colombian Brew South Indian Filter Coffee and unsweetened coffee are among the speciality choices.Naarayan T V, chief marketing officer, Akasa Air, said “With this new Café Akasa menu, we are bringing together culinary influences from across India and the world, alongside protein-rich, health-focused and indulgent options.”The airline said Café Akasa has also been using its menu to mark festivals and occasions, with limited-period offerings for celebrations ranging from Makar Sankranti, Holi and Eid to Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Christmas. Passengers can also pre-order cakes for birthdays and other special occasions, it added.The airline said packaging for its perishable Café Akasa meals is fully recyclable and paper-based, with paper sourced from sustainably grown crops. The packaging is made without bleach or optical brightening agents, while wooden cutlery is biodegradable. The new menu is available across Akasa Air’s network and can be pre-booked through the airline’s website, mobile app and travel agents.
