Book A Table session underway at Bao To Me
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Has anyone ever copied you?”
It was an unusual question to ask a room full of strangers. But at Bao To Me, a Pan-Asian restaurant in Koramangala, it was the perfect icebreaker for the latest Book A Table session. As guests introduced themselves, stories of younger siblings copying their older siblings and neighbours recreating entire homes soon made way for a larger conversation — one about authorship, identity and cultural appropriation, inspired by RF Kuang’s Yellowface.
Hosted by Book A Table in collaboration with Bao To Me, the literary lunch paired a moderated discussion of the bestselling novel with a five-course pan-Asian meal. As plates arrived, so did questions that had no easy answers. “Can you appreciate the art while condemning the artist?” asked Parvati, an attendee, setting the tone for an afternoon of lively discussion.
By the book
Participants debated where inspiration ends and appropriation begins, whether anyone can tell another person’s story, and if commercial success can ever justify borrowing from someone else’s lived experiences. Others questioned whether representation without genuine understanding risks becoming a caricature, while conversations around cancel-culture and audience responsibility kept the discussion moving from one perspective to the next.
The food complemented the afternoon without overshadowing it, especially when paired with a glass of iced tea during each course. The smashed cucumber salad kicked things off, followed by soft momos served over jhol, a creamy, cashew-based broth. The Schezwan chicken bao was soft and scrumptious, while the dan dan mian noodles, coated in a smoky, peanut sauce emerged as the crowd favourite before the meal ended with a light Japanese soufflé cheesecake.
Jhol momos
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The afternoon also featured a literary guessing game, where attendees identified classic novels from their opening lines, with winners taking home the next Book A Table read. Guests were also served herbal tea, capping off the experience with a warm note.
Right bite
Reflecting on the collaboration, founders of Book A Table, Kriti Srivastava and Shachi Srivastava, were quite pleased. “Bao To Me is now the gold standard for future restaurant partnerships,” said Kriti, praising the restaurant’s enthusiasm throughout the planning process.
Book A Table works three ways: as a supper club at the Srivastava home, in collaboration with restaurants and as a snail mail club where they deliver part of the Book A Table experience by posting recipes online so guests who could not make it can try out the meals themselves.
For Bao To Me, the event reaffirmed its interest in creating experiences beyond dining. Alongside founder’s tables and workshops, the restaurant hopes to host more community-driven gatherings such as game nights, karaoke evenings and more, in the future.
According to Chef Wang Ming Li, the event was a success. “It took me years to curate this menu, so I’m happy to see it well received.”
If the afternoon proved anything, it was that the best discussions are not always confined to the pages of a book. Sometimes, they happen over good food with a table full of strangers.
Published – July 01, 2026 10:56 am IST
