New vegan restaurant with food from across the world opens

In autumn, Namaste India, on Opie Street, was combined with Namaste Village at its Queens Road base.

The Opie Street site has since become The Green Eatery, which offers a menu from around the globe serving flavours from India, China and Japan among other places.

Director Ketan Vaghasiya said it had long been a goal, but said the pandemic has driven the decision.

"The whole situation in hospitality changed due to the pandemic and we have to keep adapting the way we work," he said.

"Since lockdown most of the time the restaurant has been closed to in-house customers, and it wasn't financially effective to have one of the branches when everything is happening online."

Ketan Vaghasiya, left, who has launched The Green Eatery, vegan and vegetarian food in Opie Street, with his chef Ravi Jedani. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2021)

For now, The Green Eatery will be operating online, through its website and delivery platforms including Just Eat and Deliveroo.

But they plan to open it up to customers when they are allowed, with Mr Vaghasiya saying people would be able to order and take away.

He said it might seem like a brave time to start a new venture, but said they were confident about their plans.

Takeaway food at The Green Eatery, vegan and vegetarian food, which includes, Katsu curry, Thai green curry, spring rolls, Gobi 65 (cauliflower), chick N nuggets, and dips. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2021)

"The model is done in a way that can reduce costs a lot more compared to the restaurant," he said. "We have two members of full-time staff, compared to eight, nine or 10 in a restaurant, and everything is on one floor, which makes it a lot more cost effective for us and customers."

Mr Vaghasiya said it was a learning curve for the team, but said their first proper month trading, from the middle of December, had been promising.

Dishes include vegan chicken katsu curry, vegan chicken nuggets and gobi 65, a spicy Indian cauliflower dish. Diners will be asked to choose a base, topping and sides.

Takeaway food at The Green Eatery, vegan and vegetarian food. Gobi 65 (cauliflower). Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2021)

He said the new opening continued their efforts to bring flavoursome vegan and vegetarian food to Norwich.

"This business is for us all about passion, what we believe. This is what we have started," he said.

Takeaway food at The Green Eatery, vegan and vegetarian food. Spring rolls. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2021)

"The most satisfaction we get from this is knowing we are bringing change to the world."