Planet-friendly Asian bites in Somers Town
In the heart of Somers Town, you’ll find the new community café, Cholo Khā’i – meaning ‘Come Eat’ in Bengali – serving affordable, authentic Asian meals and snacks.
Our partner Think&Do has been working with a team of talented local women to bring the café to life, supporting them to make it a success! You can visit the café every Thursday from 8am to 4pm at Somers Town Community Association Café, 150 Ossulston Street, NW1 1EE.
We spoke to the café chefs, Sultana and Hasna, and Halima and Debbie from Think&Do to find out more.
Can you tell us more about the café and why it’s unique?
Debbie: “Cholo Khā’i is a not-for-profit social enterprise run by a group of new local chefs who have come together to learn skills and gain experience running a café together.”
Halima: “We serve fresh, authentic South Asian veggie and vegan dishes each week, which are all made by locals.”
Sultana: “I think the café is unique as you don’t see many women – particularly women from Bengali backgrounds – running a community café, so it’s very special.”
Hasna: “It’s unique because of its diverse community, people from different cultures are coming together to enjoy homemade fresh Bengali food.”
“The dishes have been inspired by the chefs, as they have grown up enjoying recipes that are unique to them.”
Sultana, Cholo Khā’i chef
What inspired the dishes on the menu?
Sultana: “I love cooking and experimenting with new ideas and combining them with Asian ingredients to come up with new dishes. I love also cooking some of my favourite authentic Bangladeshi dishes.”
Hasna: “The dishes have been inspired by the chefs, as they have grown up enjoying recipes that are unique to them. Since opening, popular dishes have included Desi omelette and masala chai for breakfast, homemade stuffed parathas, veggie curries and delish homemade cakes.”
Halima: “The dishes on the menu have been inspired by the chefs’ passion for cooking flavour-packed dishes and their love for cooking traditional dishes made at home for the family.”
Debbie: “We are also passionate about the planet. By choosing to eat vegetarian, we are encouraging Camden residents to not only treat their taste buds, but to play their part in fostering a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations.”
What have been your highlights since opening?
Sultana: “My highlight is being able to see at first-hand the reaction to people trying our food for the first time.”
Hasna: “Its great fun to experience the chaotic lunchtime rush! And seeing people queuing to taste your food and the feeling of someone appreciating your effort. Bringing a smile to their faces is a wonderful feeling.”
Halima: “My highlights have been seeing the chefs’ dedication and all the effort they have put in, wanting to learn to learn new skills and gain confidence. Cholo Khā’i is a great space to expand their practical experience, learning how a café works, working as a team and enjoying the buzz of serving food to customers who walk away with a smile on their face having had a wholesome meal. It’s about supporting local residents who run this café.”
Cholo Khā’I – Come Eat!
When: Every Thursday from 8am to 4pm
Where: Somers Town Community Association Café, 150 Ossulston Street, NW1 1EE
