From jiggly pancakes and pop-culture charm to sushi belts and izakaya nights, Harajuku’s next chapter begins in Mumbai.
What began as a playful, Japanese-inspired café in Delhi quickly became one of the city’s most beloved cult favourites, known for its jiggly pancakes, fluffy sandos, and boba teas that sparked a sugar rush across timelines. Over just a few years, Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse carved out a unique niche at the intersection of pop culture, street food, and kawaii maximalism. With the launch of its new restaurant at Jio World Drive in Mumbai, the brand is now entering its next chapter with a menu curated with celebrated Japanese chefs Asami Indo and Higuchi Nariaki. It has evolved from a café destination into a full-scale Japanese restaurant and bar experience that is immersive, layered, and flavour-forward.
Gaurav Kanwar, founder of Harajuku Tokyo Café, didn’t come from a traditional hospitality background. What he brought instead was a sharp eye for an immersive experience, a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, and a genuine love for good food. The idea for Harajuku was sparked during his time in the UK, where the quality and convenience of Japanese dining left a lasting impression. But it was Tokyo’s Harajuku district, with its bold flavours, creative energy, and street-side chaos, that truly inspired the brand “Opening in Mumbai has always been part of the dream,” he shares. “It’s a city that thrives on culture, energy, and design- everything Harajuku stands for. With this new restaurant, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned so far and turned it into something bigger, bolder, and more immersive.” Since opening in Delhi in 2021, Harajuku has grown from a single QSR outlet into a full-service restaurant and Bakehouse concept. Now with a presence across NCR and Mumbai, his vision is to make Japanese food exciting and accessible across India while creating a brand that sparks joy and celebrates culture.
The new Mumbai outpost is spread across two distinct but connected spaces. It includes a 72-seater Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bar and a 12-seater Harajuku Bakehouse. The main restaurant transitions from a daytime Kaiten Zushi experience, complete with conveyor belt sushi and an open sushi bar, to a high-energy izakaya by night, where sake bombs, gyoza platters, and interactive bar elements take center stage. Designed as a Japanese game centre crossed with a Tokyo diner, the space is immersive, cheeky, and full of surprise. Guests can expect sushi boats, dessert challenges, and even a Robot DJ. Even the smallest touches, from the merch shelf to the DJ booth, are designed to surprise and spark conversation.
The interiors are a visual playground. Tokyo’s electric energy is brought to life through kaleidoscopic neon lights, layered textures, and manga murals. The café and bar feature retro signage, holographic accents, and vibrant lighting inspired by Tokyo’s nightlife. In contrast, the Bakehouse is bright, soft, and unapologetically playful. Pink-tiled walls, a glowing Live Bakes zone, curated bread shelves, and a neon sign that reads “Feed Me Cake & Tell Me I’m Pretty” create a photogenic, feel-good space. Every detail adds to the brand’s identity, turning the space into more than just a restaurant. It’s a world designed for delight.
Chef Raaghav Jandroia brings a unique perspective to Harajuku’s culinary direction. With a background in economics and a growing love for Japanese cuisine, his path to the kitchen was anything but typical. His cooking philosophy is grounded in balance. He blends technique with instinct, staying true to traditional flavours while embracing innovation. Rather than chasing authenticity for the sake of it, he creates food that is expressive, inclusive, and driven by feeling. His leadership is collaborative and his vision is clear. Japanese food should be approachable, fun, and deeply satisfying.
The menu reflects that sensibility. It is a layered, flavour-forward journey through Japanese comfort food. It begins with cold plates like Salmon Carpaccio with serrano citrus and Hamachi with truffled ponzu. Sushi is a showstopper here, with a wide range of nigiri, sashimi, and signature rolls. The Rainbow Roll, layered with salmon, tuna, and tobiko, and the Spicy Avocado Cream Cheese roll with miso dressing are favourites. Small plates echo Tokyo’s street food scene with dishes like shrimp dynamite, Korean-style corn dogs, and the UFO Chicken Platter, which arrives bubbling with cheese and gochujang heat. The robata grill adds a smoky dimension with Coal-Fired Miso Salmon and King Oyster Mushrooms glazed in yakitori sauce. Heartier dishes include bento bowls, Japanese sandos, and house-made ramen in broths like spicy kara miso, creamy toripaitan, and seafood shio finished with Hokkaido butter. Every item is built to layer texture, flavour, and comfort.
The bar programme at Harajuku is as imaginative as the space itself is playful, and deeply rooted in Japan’s rich pop culture. Curated by bar consultant Fay Antoine Barretto, the menu takes inspiration from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and pays homage to anime icons, underground nightlife, and cinematic legends.
Each signature cocktail tells a story. From Tokio Drift, a vibrant blend of Tequila Silver, Hibiscus, Sichuan pepper and Grapefruit, to the bold, spicy Call Me Kimchi, a Tequila Reposado concoction infused with chili, coriander, and house-made kimchi, the drinks are unapologetically expressive. The menu flows like a manga, full of surprises. Nori Fire brings together Mezcal, Sake and Miso with an Umami Tincture, while Naruto’s Rush stirs Vodka with Miso, Gochujang, Ramen broth and spice. Totoro’s Garden uses Gold Rum, Shiso, and Gingerale to evoke the warmth of an enchanted forest, while Whisper of the Peach, a delicate blend of Japanese whisky, Dry Vermouth, peach and Chamomile, captures the quiet romance of a spring evening in Kyoto.
Whether it’s a Hanami Highball infused with White Rum, Cherry Blossom and Sencha Cold Brew or Soju-na Matata with a blend of Passionfruit, Mint, Supasawa and Umeshu, every drink is designed to surprise and delight. The bar transitions effortlessly from day to night sake bombs and karaoke in the evening, crisp highballs and pop-culture pours by day. This is where Tokyo’s flavour meets its fantasy.
Next to the restaurant, the Harajuku Bakehouse carries forward the brand’s sweeter side. The interiors are washed in pastels, featuring manga murals and a dedicated Bake Bar where guests can watch Japanese cheesecakes and soufflé pancakes come to life. The menu highlights signature jiggly pancakes, cotton-soft cheesecakes, boba teas, shokupan sandos, and a rotating lineup of fresh breads. It’s a tribute to Tokyo’s patisserie culture, made more playful and accessible. The Mumbai Bakehouse also introduces a pet-friendly menu with curated treats for four-legged guests.
Harajuku is not just a restaurant. It is a fully imagined world where joy, curiosity, and self-expression take center stage. Sushi floats by on belts. Cocktails are served with karaoke. Pancakes bounce, bar counters glow, and dessert can be as much about theatre as taste. Whether you’re here for a soulful bowl of ramen or a quick Bakehouse fix, Harajuku delivers more than just flavour. It delivers a feeling. In a city full of safe concepts and familiar formats, Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse offers something different, a multi-sensory experience designed to surprise, connect, and leave you smiling.
Where: 2nd Floor, Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
When: Bakehouse, 10 am – 10 pm (all days of the week) | Cafe, 12 pm – 12 am (weekdays) and 12 pm-1:30 am (weekends)
Price: Bakehouse, ₹1,200 (For two) | Cafe, ₹2,500 (For two)
For more information follow
@harajukutokyocafe
@harajukubakehouse
