What happens when a cricketer opens a restaurant? And if it is Yuvraj Singh, expect to take a fresh fresh on nostalgia, bold flavor and your favorite relaxing food.
From breaking sixes to serve Kadhi rice with flair, Yuvraj Singh has so far launched his most personal innings-Koka, Gurgaon’s heart 500-seater food and drink destination. Nostalgia, North Indian comfort food, and a sharp eye for hospitality, mixes homestay favorite with Coca premium presentation. In this clear chat, Singh opens about everything – from menu motivations and moody interiors to the real reason Rajma Chawal cut. And yes, he answers a question that every fan wants to know: is it difficult – pitch or picker dinner?
Shubham: Let’s start with the name – Koca. It seems fickle, personal and porous. What does it mean
Prince:This idea was to find something in which I had a little bit, but I am not all. This may first look Punjabi, but in fact, Coca means that the kitchen kitchen. It is all about celebrating food. Whether it is a friend, family or colleague – it is about feeling every meeting like a celebration.
Shubham: And yes, drinks.
Prince:Absolutely. It is not just about food; This is also service. When we started thinking about opening a restaurant, I knew that the food had to be excellent, and therefore served. The environment is also important, but if food and service are not correct, people will not return.
Shubham: The launch is here at the end – congratulations! It is opening in the heart of Gurgaon. What do you want to feel your guests when you walk in Coca?
Prince: For me, the whole idea was to make a place that felt like a house. I wanted people to experience home mine. There are days when you don’t want anything fancy – you just want to eat that makes you feel good. This is where our ‘Desi’ menu comes. One of our six cuisine is designed by me individually, with narrative rice and rajma Chawal, but with a little flare. These are dishes we all love, and I wanted to bring back those indifferent tastes back to a premium setting.
Shubham: And yet the vibe has been elevated – people are not just here to eat, right?
Prince:Absolutely. You need great food, but you also need a great place. Our capacity is around 350, with brunch, lunch and long evening hanging. The top floor alone is 10,000 square feet – this is a huge bar location. The indoor and outdoor seating place, and we are lucky that such a great place. Deepak ji, one of my companions, has been a visionary to help build this place.
Shubham: You have mentioned continuity, and I think some celebrity restaurants struggle.
Prince: 100 percent. I tell my team – the taste needs to be continuously every time. It is easy to start a strong start when a celebrity is involved, but people will stop coming until food is there. So for me, the team is everything. This mentality also comes from cricket – if the team is good and Vibe is correct, we will follow the result.
Shubham: Talking about food, Rajma and Kadhi especially why? North Indian food is huge.
Prince: True, Chole Bhure, Dal Makhani – but Rajma Chawal and Kadhi rice are the hearts of most North Indian homes. You walk in any house on Sunday afternoon, and it is one of them. I wanted to bring those classics back to a premium restaurant setting, something really no one expected.
Shubham: Let’s talk about your diet for a second. A few years ago, you made headlines to go to vegetarian. Was this a health call? And how difficult it was to leave butter chicken?
Prince: (Laughing) I do not want to keep anyone in the dark. I was a vegetarian for six months and a vegetarian for a year. This was primarily a health decision – I have some dietary issues and felt better at home. But it was difficult to maintain it with my training and sports program. So now, I eat vegetarian or vegetarian when I can, especially at home. But I eat everything when needed.
Shubham: The interiors are amazing – the plush, moody, and are still invited. I was particularly loved by the central region with all sunlight. Did you include the design?
Prince: Yes, I approved all design elements. Skylite – or pagoda, as we jokingly said – was something that I really loved. You get natural sunlight upwards, and sunset views are amazing. After sundown, you can always come down. The idea was to feel open, hot and safe.
Shubham: You have mentioned security – I have heard that you are also offering party drivers? This is the first.
Prince: Yes, security is a big concern, especially in Delhi-NCR. If someone drinks too much, we will arrange a driver for them. The idea is that people should be stress-free here, have fun, and the house should be safe.
Shubham: Now for a fun. My mother wanted me to ask – you have faced the world’s fiery bowlers. Now you are serving some picist dinner. What is more frightening: pitch or plate?
Prince: (Laughing) Wife! Wife’s bouncers are the most difficult, because when she bowls on you, you cannot leave the ball.
Shubham: Any plan to expand? Mumbai? Chandigarh?
Prince: We first want to make Koka Gurgaon a sustainable and successful. Restaurant business is difficult. If this is good, yes – I would like to take it to the west or south. But first, the base must be strong. You cannot build without a solid foundation.
Shubham: How does Coca fit in your life right now? Will you be around more?
Prince: I am often in Gurgaon, so yes. I want my friends – cricketers I have played with friends of my life – to come and enjoy it. After the IPL, I am planning to throw a party for them here. This is the best feeling – when the people you love, they enjoy the joy you have created.
Shubham: If you had to eat a dish from Coca for the rest of the year, what would this happen?
Prince:Story rice. no question. That dishes are home. It is soothing, tangi, hot – it’s all.
Shubham: This is such a sweet answer. And honestly, I think a lot of people will agree. Food is really memory.
Prince:Absolutely. You should feel food. that’s the whole point. Whether he is reminding you of the house, surprising you, or just making your day better – this is the kind of food I want to serve.
Shubham: Well, you are definitely here. I am already planning my next trip.
Prince: You are always welcome. I will make sure the fresh story rice is waiting for you.
Coca Golf Avenue 42, Golf Course RD, Sector 42, Gurugram, Haryana is located in 122103.
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