On 10 March, Rosa’s Thai Veggie - the plant-based sister brand to popular restaurant group Rosa’s Thai Cafe - will open as a delivery and takeaway-only kitchen in Hackney's London Fields, East London, marking a return for the acclaimed pop-up concept launched in 2018.
Rosa’s Thai Veggie first launched as a three month-long vegetarian-only pop-up at their Dean Street Soho restaurant, and the decision to bring back the brand is a response to the increased demand for vegetarian and vegan dishes witnessed across the group.
Initially launching in London Fields, Rosa’s Thai Veggie will operate with takeaway and delivery only, with ambitions to expand to further cloud kitchens and explore bricks and mortar opportunities for the concept down the line.
The extensive vegetarian and vegan menu will combine reworked Rosa’s Thai Cafe classics, including founder Saiphin Moore’s signature stir-fried aubergine dish and tofu pad thai, alongside new dishes exclusive to this concept, from Rosa’s summer rolls with tamarind tempeh to Chu Chi tempeh, a thick and creamy Panang curry with kaffir lime leaves and fresh chillies, both developed in collaboration with organic tempeh specialists Club Cultured.
The menu will also include THIS Isn’t Chicken dishes, from pad thai to salt and pepper poppers and green curry fried rice, which were first introduced as limited-edition specials at Rosa’s Thai Cafe and, by popular demand, will find a permanent home at Rosa’s Thai Veggie. These will sit alongside an all-new THIS Isn’t Chicken chilli basil stir-fry, served street food-style with a fried egg for a plant-based twist on a Rosa’s customer favourite.
Of the return, Rosa’s Thai Cafe co-founder Saiphin Moore said: 'Growing up meat was a bit of a luxury for us - we ate a lot of vegetables and if we did eat meat it was locally farmed. I’m pleased to see a trend of more and more people trying to eat a plant-based diet and am happy to be able to offer some amazing vegan and vegetarian Thai dishes, still true to my family recipes, but with a couple of small changes so more people can enjoy them!'
CEO Gavin Adair added, “Our Rosa’s Thai Veggie pop up inspired a step change in our vegetarian and vegan dishes across the business several years ago. Saiphin continually pushes our food boundaries and it’s great to be able to give some of her most recent recipes a unique ‘home’ alongside existing Rosa’s classics.
'We’re looking forward to showing many new – and some existing - customers just how delicious veggie Thai food can be!”
Rosa’s Thai Veggie will launch on Wednesday 10 March with delivery exclusively on Deliveroo and takeaway via click and collect from the London Fields kitchen.