Krishna Plate at KrishnaFoods - Virtuous Vegan Vittles

(Full disclosure: KrishnaFoods approached me via Instagram and offered me a free meal in exchange for a review. I accepted, but my opinion is still my own.)

KrishnaFoods is located at Victoria University's Kelburn campus in the Old Kirk building. The space used to be occupied (and this is going back a very long time) by Illot Cafe, notorious for their burnt coffee and soggy, overpriced fries. The vegan and vegetarian food options on campus have increased prolifically since I last stomped these corridors. Back in my day, the only vegatarian/vegan option was hot chips. KrishnaFoods is the cheapest eat on campus, and one of the healthier options. Previously, KrishnaFoods operated out of a container. They now have a standalone restaurant and also a kiosk at the Law School (located in the Old Government Building near the railway station).

I arrive, verify my identity as a food critic and influencer (haha...) and am served their best seller, the Krishna Plate. At $6 it is the cheapest eat I have reviewed so far. For $6 you get the curry of the day, rice, a side salad and a dessert. The entire menu at KrishnaFoods is plant-based. In accordance to their religious beliefs, Krishna food does not contain garlic or onions. To cut a long story short, garlic and onions cannot be offered to Krishna, so they are not to be eaten by worshippers. For a more in-depth explanation, the Krishna Food Channel has an informative article. Instead, the flavour comes from a variety of spices (which line the shelves in the small but spotless kitchen) and the judicious use of the Indian spice hing, or asafoetida. It acts as a digestive aid and umami enhancer, and when fried in oil has a pleasant, onion-like flavour and aroma.  The fork and plate are both compostable in the compost bin located by the exit.

The curry of the day today is a green curry. To me it tastes more of a chickpea curry or a saag. It contains chickpeas for protein and generous lashings of spinach in a thick, viscous gravy. It has a subtle balance of spices and is distinctly moreish . The rice is basmati (the "Prince of Rice") and is perfectly cooked. My dining companion, an obligate carnivore and former chef, is sniffy about vegan food and the lack of alliums, but has to concede that it's actually pretty tasty. The garden salad is mesclun with a reddish, textured sauce. According to the server the crunch comes from sunflower seeds. My only criticism is that the salad could have been bigger, but the dressing is delightful and I want the recipe. The dessert is Halva, an Indian dish made from semolina. It is sweet but not too sweet and has a spongy, porridge-like texture, like an Indian semolina pudding. I'm not usually a fan of sweets, but this is not overpoweringly sugary and is actually quite pleasant. My companion concurs.

For less than a tenner you get a filling, healthy plant based meal. In the background Hare Krishna music plays at a low volume. It is cheerful and not at all obnoxious. If it's the day before Studylink day and you're looking for a nutritious, tasty feed this is the place to go. Non-students are also welcome if you're up Kelburn way. This might just be the cheapest eat around for a main meal, and it is one of the better ones. To wash down our meal we share an Indian lemonade for $3 and it is delicious, lightly spiced with floating green herbs. I'd come here for the lemonade alone if I was feeling thirsty between lectures.

From crappy cafe to Krishna Cantina, how the times have changed!

Food: 7.5/10
Service: 10/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Cost: $6

Old Kirk Building, Victoria University Kelburn Campus