A note from Cumin-Indian Eats owner, Ragoth Bala:

Growing up in India, I never had to worry about the fact that I was a vegetarian. Despite only a third of the population being strictly vegetarian, our cuisine naturally embraced plant-based ingredients. Lentils, vegetables, rice, and wheat formed the cornerstone of our daily meals, providing a well-rounded nutritional profile that sustained millions.

My perspective changed dramatically when I moved to the United States as an expat in 2012. Suddenly, finding satisfying vegetarian options became a daily struggle. Indian restaurants often charged exorbitant prices for everyday food, making it impossible to build a habit out of. And the so-called “Indian” products in retail stores were often mere approximations of the real thing, lacking the true essence of our cuisine.

After completing my MBA, I felt compelled to address this gap in the market – a problem I had experienced firsthand. Teaming up with like-minded co-founders, we embarked on a mission to introduce authentic, high-quality Indian cuisine to the American market.

Our goal is not just to provide tasty meals, but to share a piece of India’s rich culinary heritage with America, making vegetarian options more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.