Familiar ambience and Far Eastern cuisine welcomed Apple Sharma, as she took a trip down memory lane at Monsoon restaurant, one of Adliya’s most exotic hidden gems.

Bahrain is a melting pot of global cuisines and, when it comes to Far Eastern food, the Kingdom has some excellent choices. However, only a handful have stood the test of time and remained firm favourites, one of which is Monsoon, tucked away in Adliya. It has certainly been one of my go-to spots since I’ve been on the island.

With a rich culinary history, Monsoon is one of Al Ghalia group’s original brands and has been wooing patrons for almost 25 years – no mean feat, considering the island’s ever-evolving foodie scene. So, a dinner invite with colleagues was a welcome surprise, especially as it had been a while since my last visit.

Paying tribute to Balinese palaces and Oriental temples, Monsoon’s grand façade of thick wooden doors and stone elephant statues impresses even before stepping inside. The predominantly wooden interior is equally striking, with soaring ceilings, monumental pillars and heavy-set, palatial furniture. The main restaurant sits on a raised platform, surrounded by a shallow waterway, with lantern-lit pathways leading to a sushi bar, low-seating private pavilions and a Tatami room for larger parties.

The Oriental theme continues outdoors, ideal for this time of year, where a veranda overlooks a gorgeous pond, water feature and a quaint wooden bridge leading to an intimate one-table setting. From the stone Buddha figurine to the greenery and dim chandelier lighting, the zen-like atmosphere is reminiscent of a traditional pagoda.

Embracing these familiar surroundings, I couldn’t help but notice the jazzy lounge music, curated for Monsoon by DJ Enzo. The easy-listening, chilled vibe complements the tranquil ambience perfectly. As we took our seats, Restaurant Manager Mart Andrew Paa took us through the diverse menu of authentic Far Eastern cuisine, spanning Japanese and Thai favourites. Mart and our lovely server, Amir, looked after us throughout the meal.

We began with the familiar prawn crackers and sweet chilli sauce while we awaited the appetisers. Drinks arrived soon after. The colourful Niji Flower, made with butterfly pea tea, lemongrass and passion fruit, was light and refreshing. The delicious Smoked Peach Mango Tea came in a wooden box, with a gentle apple wood smokiness in each sip. A Thai Mojito, fragrant with lime and lemongrass, rounded out the selection and set the tone for the meal ahead.

First up were the Poh Pia Tod, crisp spring rolls filled with vegetables and glass noodles. Light and crunchy without being greasy, they disappeared quickly, helped along by the sweet chilli dip.

The Bang Bang Cauliflower followed, offering a veggie twist on a street-food favourite. Coated in rice cracker crumbs with furikake, garlic, chilli and shallot flakes, the cauliflower florets were fluffy and crisp. The sesame sriracha sauce added depth and just enough heat. It was bang on (pun intended).

Next came the Toong Tong, deep-fried moneybag-shaped morsels filled with marinated shrimp, water chestnut and coriander. Golden and flaky on top, they opened to a soft, tender filling with a bit of bite. Well executed, they were quietly satisfying.

The sushi selection introduced the Japanese side of the menu. The Blowtorch roll combined tuna, salmon and hamachi with pickled radish, torched crab and tobiko (flying fish roe) cream, finished with teriyaki sauce and crushed pistachio. Creamy and slightly sweet, it was a good mix of salty and sweet. Meanwhile, the Nela Kani presented a pleasant twist on the classic prawn tempura, topped with crabstick salad and complemented by a subtle hit of homemade chilli paste.

From there, we moved on to soups and salads. As someone who never skips tom yum, I was particularly keen to sample Monsoon’s Tom Yam Creamy. With a choice of protein, we opted for the prawn and veggie versions. Fragrant with lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf, the broths were gently warming and made for a comforting, hearty dish, definitely one to return to on a rainy day.

The Som Tam was prepared tableside by Amir, mixed in a small clay pot before being served. Crisp shredded papaya, carrots, long beans and crushed peanuts were brought together wonderfully with a lime soy dressing that lent just the right amount of tanginess. This is a staple every time I come to Monsoon, and this visit confirmed why it remains my favourite.

Mains followed steadily, beginning with the Pla Makram. The whole sea bass arrived beautifully crisp on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside, glazed with tamarind soy and finished with crispy shallots, coriander and chilli. The Braised Short Ribs were an absolute hit at the table. The aromatic Angus beef was exceptionally tender, elevated by a creamy truffle dashi that added earthy notes without overshadowing the meat. Grilled shiitake mushrooms added a welcome contrast in texture. As my dining companion commented, it needed no sides to shine.

Another highlight was the Num Prik Pao Talay. We opted for the seafood version, featuring prawns and squid in a roasted chilli sauce with cashews and vegetables. With the consistency of a luscious bisque and ideal spooned over rice, it was simple, fun and deeply satisfying, unanimously declared a standout.

The Gaeng Kiew Waan Gai brought serious spice! A signature Thai green curry, the first bite delivered intense heat, but once past that initial kick, the curry revealed a nutty, earthy flavour, with tender slivers of chicken. I opted for the vegetable yellow curry, which was milder, creamy and equally enjoyable alongside steamed jasmine rice. We also shared Pad Thai Pak, a delicious mix of glassy, wok-fried flat rice noodles, tofu, bean sprouts and egg. The tamarind and lime gave it a gentle tartness and the peanuts the perfect crunch and texture.

Dessert arrived as a royal platter, Kha Nom Kong Wan, presented magnificently on ice with a touch of dry ice theatre. We tucked into mango sticky rice, mango cheesecake, mixed berries and a selection of ice creams, but we unanimously agreed the star had to be the chocolate lava, which three pairs of hands devoured in seconds!

Returning to Monsoon felt like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while – easy, familiar and genuinely enjoyable. I’m already planning my next visit! ✤

GO: CALL 1774 9222 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.