Indian Veg: Angel’s Quirky Vegetarian Indian Buffet
Walking along Chapel Market, Indian Veg is difficult to miss, with its garish signage that beckons passersby with promises of a budget-friendly feast. Since it opened in 1985, the restaurant has been a favourite haunt of students and locals alike, enticed by its budget price point – around £12 – for unlimited buffet and free corkage.
As you step into the restaurant, you are immediately greeted by an array of bold, and at times questionable, claims about the benefits of a vegetarian diet that plaster every wall. Though perhaps an eyesore, the quirky décor of Indian Veg added to its unique charm, creating an atmosphere that’s both eccentric and thought-provoking.
To start with, signage suggests a bowl of the lentil soup. For me, the bold, spicy, smoky and garlicky soup served as a great introduction to Indian Veg and a definite highlight among the buffet selection. As I ate, I picked out a few of my favourite pieces from the walls. One poster insisted, “Drink one glass of warm water just when you are about to go to bed to avoid clotting of the blood at night to avoid heart attacks or strokes.”
I particularly enjoyed what I will dub the Wall of Juices, which featured a ‘Juice for Depression’ made from carrot, apple, spinach and beet – a delicious, if not clinically proven, alternative to antidepressants. Another poster near the buffet offered self-help tips, including some humorously relevant advice for the all-you-can-eat spread below: “Don’t overdo. Keep your limits.”
For me, the sometimes interesting, sometimes hilarious wallpaper was without a doubt the highlight of my dining experience. Returning to the food as I must, lest this article be exiled from the Food and Drink section, you can help yourself to a daily varying buffet of tasty, spicy home-style vegetarian curries, salad, chutneys, raita, rice dishes, bhel puri, paratha and onion pakora – an extensive variety of dishes indeed. Of that day’s selection, my favourite was the potato and pea curry, spiced intensely with mustard seeds. The paneer, pea and coconut curry came in a strong second, with the nutty sweetness of the gravy enhanced by desiccated coconut.
However, dishes rely heavily on the cheapest ingredients; each curry includes at least one of the following – potatoes, chickpeas or peas – which often results in a lack of textual variety and distinction among the curries. Inevitably, as likely their most expensive ingredient, the paneer in the paneer, pea and coconut curry appears to be more of an afterthought than the main element of the dish. Given this fact, make sure to take a lot of salad, of which I would especially recommend the refreshing onion and mint salad to cut through the stodge of starches.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was also a little peculiar – certainly not helped by the décor. As I finished my first plate, I overheard an argument erupting in the kitchen, audible from my table. Similarly, while not rude, I wouldn’t describe the service as friendly. Service at Indian Veg is very much ‘hands off’, with little interaction with staff beyond settling the bill.
Despite this criticism, I do not intend to disparage the owners of Indian Veg in their commitment to their local customers. On the contrary, they have made a commendable contribution to the local community by offering free meals to the homeless. While I was at the restaurant, the staff went out of their way to fill a takeaway box with curry and paratha for a homeless man who was waiting outside. Such initiatives highlight their genuine commitment to the local community.
While I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for solo diners seeking high-quality traditional Indian cuisine, Indian Veg is ideal for groups of friends looking for an affordable evening out. Gather some friends, bring along a few bottles, and enjoy a no-frills yet relaxed dining experience. It's a great choice for anyone who loves Indian cuisine and wants to enjoy a vegetarian meal in a casual, unique setting.
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