Donmai Brings Japan’s Shared Hot Pot Culture to Mumbai This Monsoon

Mumbai, July 2026: Every city has its monsoon rituals.

In Mumbai, the rains are often accompanied by cups of chai, roadside snacks and familiar comfort food. In Japan, they inspire something different: people gathering around a simmering hot pot, where the meal unfolds slowly through conversation, shared ingredients and warm broths.This monsoon, Donmai brings that tradition to Mumbai through Feast of the Rain, a seasonal menu inspired by Nabe Pa the Japanese culture of gathering around one shared hot pot. Rather than treating hot pot as simply another dish on the menu, Feast of the Rain celebrates it as a way of dining. At its heart are five distinct expressions of Japanese nabe, each rooted in different regional ingredients, broths and culinary traditions, inviting guests to slow down, gather around the table and experience a lesser-known side of Japanese cuisine beyond sushi and ramen.

“When we started thinking about what the monsoon means in Mumbai, we realised it isn’t just about the rain it’s about the way people naturally come together over food. That immediately reminded us of Japan’s culture of gathering around a shared hot pot. Feast of the Rain is our interpretation of bringing that spirit to Mumbai while celebrating the incredible diversity of Japanese nabe,” says Ish Patel, Founder of Donmai.

The Nabe Collection

Unlike a single hot pot offered in multiple variations, each nabe on the menu tells its own story.The Donmai Nabe brings together a spicy miso-goma broth with seasonal vegetables, lotus stem, aburaage tofu and shirataki noodles, with the option of adding chicken, salmon or prawn.The Gyoza Nabe combines handcrafted broccoli and water chestnut gyozas with kombu dashi and sesame butter, while the Chanko Nabe draws inspiration from the hearty communal meals traditionally associated with Japan’s sumo wrestlers.

Among the menu’s most distinctive offerings is the Niigata Sake Nabe, built around sake kasu, the aromatic rice lees left behind during traditional sake brewing. Combined with dashi, seasonal vegetables and tofu, it offers a subtle depth of flavour rarely experienced in India.Completing the collection is the Tokyo Sukiyaki Nabe, served with warishita dashi, cured silken egg and traditional accompaniments that encourage diners to customise every bite. Designed for sharing, each hot pot serves two and can be extended throughout the meal with additional broth, shirataki noodles, vegetables, tofu and proteins, allowing the experience to evolve naturally around the table.

Accompanying the nabe is Tsuma Pa, Donmai’s selection of izakaya-style small plates including Soboro Moyashi, Kare Pan and Yaki Onigiri, created to complement the communal dining experience.The menu has also been designed with inclusivity in mind. Three of the five signature nabe are fully vegetarian, allowing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners to gather around the same table without compromising on flavour or experience.More than a seasonal menu, Feast of the Rain introduces a different way of dining—one built around sharing, conversation and discovering Japanese food culture through the ritual of gathering around one simmering pot.

Highlights

• Five distinct Japanese hot pots inspired by regional nabe traditions
• Signature broths including Spicy Miso Goma, Kombu Dashi, Creamy Miso, Warishita and Sake Kasu
• Three vegetarian nabe alongside non-vegetarian options
• Izakaya favourites including Kare Pan, Soboro Moyashi and Yaki Onigiri
• Optional add-ons including broth, vegetables, shirataki noodles and proteins

About Donmai

Donmai is a Japanese restaurant in Worli, Mumbai, that brings the true flavours and traditions of Japan to the city. Going beyond sushi and ramen, the restaurant offers regional dishes, seasonal menus and experiences inspired by Japanese culture. At Donmai, every meal is designed to bring people together, encourage sharing and help guests discover a different side of Japanese cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting.

Availability

Available from: 19th July 2026

Venue: Donmai, Worli, Mumbai