On our days off, Yeshi and I love having lunch together at the back of our restaurant on Magdalen Road. Yesterday we made flatbreads and guacamole, washed down with a delicious vegan chai (yes – tell your friends! Our chai tea is now vegan!).

We never have to go far to seek out any last minute ingredients. Yesterday’s avocados came from community health hub Wild Honey two doors down, but Noor Halal, just across Catherine Street from our shop, stocks the stuff that we usually need: curry leaves, dried chillies, rice, fresh vegetables – they have everything.

Noor Halal is bigger than similar stores on Cowley Road and has better parking options. It’s a popular stop. Sitting at our picnic bench by the kitchen entrance to Taste Tibet, we watch Oxford’s South Asians come and go.

Sometimes Yeshi has to pinch himself. He spent twelve years living in India and felt very much at home there by the end. He’s in and out of Noor Halal several times a day himself, and he loves to practise his Hindi with the staff and fellow customers. We’ve inadvertently landed in the right place here.

Back in 2011, when Yeshi first arrived in the UK, our stomping ground was Jericho. I always remember Yeshi’s comment to me on his first night in Oxford. “Where are all the people?”, he asked. Jericho was quiet. Here in bustling East Oxford, and our corner of Magdalen Road in particular, he has one foot in South Asia – and he loves it. Thank you, Magdalen Road, for providing us with all that we need, and so much more. You simply cannot buy the feeling of being somewhere familiar.

This week’s full menu will be up on our social media and website tomorrow, Wednesday. Meanwhile, please note the changes to our opening hours this week:

Thursday: 12-3pm (lunch) / 5.30-9.30pm (dinner)

Friday: 12-3pm (lunch) / 5.30-9.30pm (dinner)

Saturday: 12-3pm (lunch) / 5.30-9.30pm (dinner)

Sign up to our newsletter if you’d like to take advantage of our BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE deal on this week’s ready meals. If you’re having a party at home these are a great option – you’ll be able to bag yourself 30 big beef and 30 heavenly vegan momos + all the dips for just £39.

Finally, if you’d like to help support our free food initiative, please click here. We provide 50-100 meals a week to vulnerable people in our community through the auspices of the amazing Oxford Mutual Aid. You can donate online or in store. This service is currently self-funded so we are grateful for any cash you have to spare.

Thank you so much and see you soon!

Julie and Yeshi

Opening hours this week:

Thurs – Sat 12- 3pm / 5.30 – 9.30pm

01865 499318