rasanai

A South Indian kitchen for Cambridge

Rasanai is bringing the cooking of India’s five southern states to Cambridge: slow-simmered, freshly ground and full of flavour. Our doors open soon.

Read our story

Rasa means taste, flavour and essence in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu.

Our story

One word, shared across the South

Rasa means taste, flavour, the very essence of a thing. You will hear it in every major South Indian language: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.

Our name, Rasanai, grows from that one shared word, and it is the idea behind our kitchen. South India is not one cuisine but many, from the chilli-growing heartlands of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the tables of Karnataka, the coasts of Kerala and the rice fields of Tamil Nadu. Rasanai brings them together under one roof in Cambridge.

We are finalising the menu now, and we will share it here before we open.

  • rasa in Kannada
  • rasam in Malayalam
  • rasam in Tamil
  • rasam in Telugu
“Rasa”, as it is written in four South Indian languages.

The idea of rasa

Six tastes, in balance

South Indian cooking is built on balancing six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Getting that balance right is what rasa is all about, and it is what our kitchen is named for.

  1. Sweet

    For example, Jaggery

  2. Sour

    For example, Tamarind

  3. Salty

    For example, Sea salt

  4. Bitter

    For example, Fenugreek

  5. Pungent

    For example, Black pepper

  6. Astringent

    For example, Raw plantain

What’s coming

Good things take a little time

  • The menu

    We are tasting, testing and finalising every dish. The full menu will be published here ahead of opening.

    Coming soon

  • Table reservations

    You will be able to book a table online, straight from this website.

    Coming soon

  • Online ordering

    Order Rasanai for collection or delivery in Cambridge, directly through us.

    Coming soon

Questions

Good to know

What does Rasanai mean?

Rasanai comes from "rasa", a word for taste, flavour and essence that is shared by all the major South Indian languages: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. The name reflects a kitchen that cooks the food of the whole of South India rather than one state.

Where is Rasanai?

Rasanai is opening in Cambridge, England. The full address will be published here before opening.

When does Rasanai open?

Rasanai is opening soon. The opening date has not been announced yet and will be posted on this page first.

What kind of food will Rasanai serve?

Rasanai is a South Indian kitchen, drawing on the cooking of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The menu is being finalised and will be published here ahead of opening.

Will there be vegetarian and vegan dishes?

South Indian cooking has a long vegetarian tradition, and much of it is naturally plant-based. Full dietary and allergen information will be published with the menu.

Can I book a table or order online?

Not yet. Table reservations and online ordering will both be available through this website closer to opening.