Very, very vegetarian

Tum Tum Asia is a godsend in a culinary landscape overrun by carnivore havens

You gotta love a place that can give meat dishes a real (not superficial) run for their money. Despite vegetarianism being on the rise, there are way too many places around town that are still only making weak stabs at offering vegetarian dishes that go beyond salads. That's why I remember Tum Tum Asia from my last visit a couple of years ago. And this time, I'm just as ready to try out their revamped menu.
The interiors are as funky as ever, with brightly coloured corrugated metal walls adorned with 'street graffiti' and destination posters from all over Asia. I doff my cap mentally: it's a clever way to communicate the DNA of the restaurant, which is pan-Asian.
I have to extend a word of caution to those given to indecision: the menu is exhaustive. Of course, that goes two ways: foodies can rejoice, because that means they're spoilt for choice. But giving me an 18-page menu is akin to torture of the extremely sophisticated variety. Although I agonised and vacillated from one option to the other no end, the food was most satisfying when it came: especially the Black Dynamite Sushi and Mock My Meat - neither of which had anything to do with non-veg fare!
Top scores for creativity, both in terms of recipe creation and presentation. If you want to win a bet with a non-vegetarian, you now know where to go.

Taste: From the tandoori momos (spicy charred dumplings with a corn, carrot and cabbage filling) to the Tum Tum Goreng (Indonesian curried fried rice), every dish was satisfyingly good. You'll want to save space in your tum-tum though, if you wish to do justice to their Chocolate Burger 2.0 and All About Ferrero desserts!

Ambience: The place is done up in such bright colours, I suspect if anyone were in the doldrums, they'd find it very difficult to stay there long. Quirky touches and tokens that are distinctly Asian cap it off to make a place that's suitable for all.

Service: My server was patient with my decision-making woes, but it would have helped if he'd stepped in confidently with his own suggestions to help speed up the process. Nevertheless, the food was prompt and the servers were able to explain the dishes well.

Presentation: Our curried fried rice came in a little cart with wheels. My partner's drink came in a smoking flask that looked like it had come straight out of a chemistry lab. Our Chocolate Burger was served... like a burger! It was so much fun to watch these dishes come out - not to mention, shoot for social media!

Value for money: Starters, mains and desserts can all be had for Dh20-40. That's a lot of bang for your buck, if you ask me, considering the level of creativity and unfailing taste factor. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is, this place is so worth it.

AT A GLANCE
Tum Tum Asia, Sheikha Building, Street 13 A, Oud Metha, Dubai
Contact: 04-3232443
Cost for two: Dh300
karen@khaleejtimes.com

• Food and Dining