Vancouver's growing plant-based food scene has a new addition. Nafa's Kitchen, an all-vegan delivery-only restaurant has opened for business.
Nafa's is a commissary-based food biz specializing in an array of Middle Eastern fare, and all the dishes are meat-free.
Chef Tahani Alkashef says her dishes are rooted in a tradition of sharing good food with loved ones. "Gathering around the table is central to Middle Eastern culture, and for my family, it’s an important part of every day," explains Alkashef on the Nafa's Kitchen website. "This ritual offers a sense of community—of belonging—and everything else fades away."
Nafa's menu features familiar dishes like dips, grains and salads, soups and wraps. While you may recognize items like yalanji (stuffed vine leaves) or tabbouleh, you'll also see dishes like ozi, a phyllo wrapped pocket filled with rice, veggies, and meat. However, since Nafa's is all plant-based, they use Beyond Meat for their ozi, as well as meatless alternatives like soy curls in wraps and other items that typically feature meat.
To that end, you can order up something called musakhan, which Nafa's describes as "a 'meaty' 12" tortilla wrap of soy curls, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, French fries, pickles, garlic paste, cumin, cinnamon, and pomegranate molasses. Served with a side of garlic paste."
Nafa's has delivery and pick-up available on multiple ordering platforms. Pick-up is at their base at Commissary Connect at 401 Industrial Ave in Vancouver. Follow @nafaskitchenvan on Instagram.