MetroVanIndependent.com
May 2015
15
Food
Siddhartha’s Indian Kitchen
– An Indian delight
By Paarull JS Bakshi
Chef Siddhartha Choudhary.
Tapas platter.
Siddhar th Choudhar y, owner of
Siddhartha’s Indian Kitchen located on
Commercial Drive in Vancouver is an
immigrant entrepreneur just like most in
Canada. He’s a chef by profession whose
passion for cooking has taken him to
different countries. He had experimented
with different cuisines from all over the
world.
Originally from New Delhi, India,
Siddharth moved to Vancouver in 2010 after
spending many years in Dublin, Ireland
working as a chef and later as restaurateur
for a popular Japanese restaurant called
Koishi.
Siddhartha’s Indian Kitchen evoked
great response from Vancouverites since
it first opened its doors. The restaurant has
won several awards and had been noted by
food enthusiast, including media and many
food bloggers.
Siddharth feels that Vancouver is
a great place for people like himself. “I
found that Indian food is typically seen as
being very oily and greasy and I wanted to
change that.”
He calls his food ‘organic’ and
describes it as ‘feels good cuisine” as he
uses fewer oils, and butter. He prefers to
use more organically grown vegetables
from the city which he selects with care.
When eating at Siddhartha’s Indian
Kitchen, one can’t also help but notice
a very aesthetically designed place with
great artwork and a beautiful picture of
the Buddha.
The outside wall of the restaurant
is covered by unique paintings by local
artists. It carries motivational messages
which have also become a focal point
for people exploring and walking by on
Commercial Drive. Many stop by to take
pictures.
The chef’s style is very unique. Its
authentic ‘Indian’ in every way possible as
he uses symbols that resonates with India
whether it be the lotus flower, the Buddha,
candles, dim lighting, his emphasis on ‘chai
serving’ and not to mention a drink that is
just fabulous -- the ‘divine rose water.’
Siddharth says that even though, he’s
been away from India for a very long time,
he is still very much attached to its culture.
On his spare time, he loves reading Indian
mythology, watches Bollywood movies,
drinks chai, and very religiously watches
cricket.
The chef’s dishes are something that
delights the eyes because of his great
garnishing using ingredients such as
cilantro, Rose petals, and artistically cut
vegetables. Siddharth strongly believes
that “food should be as pleasing to the
eyes as it is to the taste buds.”
All in all, Siddhartha’s Indian Kitchen is
a dining experience with great ambience,
scrumptious food, homely service and
an affordable menu which caters to most
folks.