“Athithi devo bhava” (The guest is god)
PREPARE FOR SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL…
Exceptional & exquisite: This is Herb
Exclusively vegan, our restaurant has already gained a reputation for a high quality and innovative menu focused on Kerala herbal cuisine.
We offer a unique culinary experience here in the heart of Leicester, the spiritual home of British curry.
With fresh ingredients, herbs and spices, we pay genuine attention to the principles of healthy and healing cuisine. After all, this is the most delicious and diverse of Indian cooking styles: Kerala was known as the spice capital of the world and offers one of the world’s most aromatic, colourful and culturally rich cuisines.
At Herb, we’ve lovingly recreated recipes from our own village for a truly authentic flavour, all with the help of Kerala-born chefs, headed by the talented Ramdas Krishna.
All the right ingredients
An exclusive interview with our head chef, Ramdas Krishna
What is your personal experience of Kerala and its cuisine?
"I was born in Kerala, the home of my ancestors. For the past few generations, we have served dishes to people locally in Kerala as well as making free food for offerings at temples. It’s my pleasure to serve god."
Why did you become a chef?
"My family influenced my decision to become a chef as a profession. Initially I was more involved in religious cooking, where we cook the Holy food, as my family have a devotion and passion towards the temple. I travelled all around India to sample a variety of foods and ingredients, but I believe in the natural spices from Kerala as an authentic cuisine."
How is Kerala cuisine distinctive, especially for vegetarians?
"Kerala is the tropical land of India. And known as the ‘Land of Spices’ because it traded spices with Europe as well as with many ancient civilisations, including in the oldest historical records of the Sumerians from 3000BC. Kerala cuisine is very diverse, based on the various communities and religions, and it’s also a green land with lots of vegetation cultivation. People in Kerala prefer organic food as most of the families in the rural areas have their own farms to produce their own fruits and vegetables."
What are your favourite things about the cuisine?
"I love exploring foods typical of our Kerala herbal style. The pure spices available in Kerala are the key for all the secrets to the success of my food experience."
What is unique about the Herb menu?
"We are inspired by the heritage of Kerala where people used herbs and vegan recipes to achieve better health. Dishes such as uppuma is one of the healthiest breakfast for Keralites; while Pothichoru Bijo's Biryani features steamed rice, dotted with sweetcorn, peas, tomato and cauliflower, as well as cashew nuts and aromatic spices and herbs, including coriander (all wrapped up in a banana leaf, the traditional Keralan way). These are nutritious meals – the perfect combination of taste and health with their roots in Kerala’s tribal cuisine."
How is the healing aspect of cooking included within the Herb menu?
"Fresh spices and the influence of Ayurveda (the oldest healing science) are all part of the Herb philosophy. As a chef, I like customers to connect with Aurveda – where you can enjoy the peace of herbal food and drink that nourishes the body and maintains a peaceful state where you stay calm and your body gets purified."
What do Herb customers particularly love?
"We often get statements from our valuable guests that they are having better mornings (because, often after having an Indian meal, many people don’t get proper sleep). Herb customers appreciate both our quality and uniqueness. Dishes like green Papaya Stew, Payar Banana Thoran and Pavakka Pachadi (bitter gourd) are among the favourites. And our customers also enjoy our beautiful interiors."
