By Paarull JS Bakshi
Siddharth Choudhary, 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.
Grilled vegetable tower with roasted garlic and tomato sauce.
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.
-
- Tapas platter.
-
- Tandoori Half Chicken
-
- Anhu rice pudding with homemade strawberry jam.
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.
