Yuvraj Singh Enters the Culinary League with KOCA in Gurugram

From cricket pitches to culinary ventures, India’s sporting icons are steadily transforming the country’s food landscape—and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. Following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh is all set to make his mark with KOCA, his first-ever restaurant, opening doors on April 12 in Gurugram.

Spread across 14,000 square feet and two floors in a newly developed high-street complex on Golf Course Road, KOCA aims to be a hybrid haven for both high-energy evenings and refined dining.

While the name might suggest a nod to Punjabi roots, KOCA actually stands for Kitchen of Celebratory Arts. It’s a project deeply personal to Yuvraj, who partnered with Glamosphere Hospitality to bring it to life. The former cricketer’s shift to a vegan lifestyle and the limitations he experienced while dining out have directly influenced the restaurant’s thoughtfully inclusive menu.

“My wife Hazel and I have travelled to so many countries and there are several memories around food. However, sometimes one feels restricted if there’s not much on the menu. I want to change that with KOCA,” shares Yuvraj.

His sentiment is clear—KOCA isn’t about ambience alone. “We don’t want people to come in and say the place is great, but the food is average. I want people to visit and enjoy the food here,” he adds.

The culinary direction at KOCA leans into Pan-Asian and global inspirations, echoing Yuvraj’s experiences on and off the field. The original food curators, Chef Megha Kohli and Noah Louis Barnes, laid the foundation, which is now led by Chefs Prateek Jha and Adiba Jha from Izumi, Dubai.

The menu also offers glimpses into Yuvraj’s childhood with dishes like rajma avocado galouti and kadhi chawal risotto. The former replaces meat with rajma in a vegan twist served on crisp bhakri, while the risotto features arborio rice with coconut and wasabi-stuffed pakoras.

For beverage connoisseurs, the cocktail list promises surprises with drinks like the Pineapple Sour (coconut fat-washed gin, pineapple, hibiscus cordial), Gooseberry Picante (rimmed with pahadi salt), and the Pandan Negroni. Dessert-lovers can explore the Vietnamese Cold Coffee, which takes form as a decadent plate of espresso mousse, Kahlua jelly, espresso crumble, and dulce sauce.

At its heart, KOCA is a passion project. “KOCA is more than just a restaurant—it’s a dream brought to life,” says Yuvraj. “From comforting childhood dishes to contemporary global creations, KOCA is all about celebrating food, flavours, and togetherness.”

Whether you're in for a celebratory dinner, a quiet meal, or just to explore what culinary storytelling looks like through the lens of a sports icon, KOCA is poised to become Gurugram’s latest hotspot.

(To feature your restaurant or upcoming culinary events, write to us at styleessentials.in@gmail.com. We’re always curating experiences that celebrate taste, craft, and culture.)