Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 24 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 18 – 28, 2024. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Maya Richmond of Padmanadi, 10740 101 Street.

Tell us a bit more about the restaurant. 

We are a family owned, vegan restaurant. There has been a lot of demand for plant-based food, eating healthy, and eating something that’s different, and people are open-minded about the type of food that we are serving. Our dishes are more to share – we encourage family-style sharing. This way you get to try different dishes.

How long has the restaurant been open? 

We have been around for more than 20 years. We used to be in Chinatown right on 97 Street. We outgrew ourselves more than 10 years ago. It used to be a 60-seat restaurant, and now we have grown to 160 seats.  We also opened a second location on the southside 5 years ago, and a third location in Calgary last year.

Ginger Beef, Jasmine Rice, Spring Rolls, and Chocolate Mousse

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant? 

We are Indonesian, and my mum is Chinese. The type of food we serve is what we eat back home, which is Indonesian-Chinese food. We are also Buddhist, so we don’t use any garlic or onions in our cooking. We don’t use any egg or dairy, and everything is completely plant-based.

What makes your restaurant special? 

When people think of vegan food, people think about raw, or salad-based foods. What we serve is more like vegan comfort-food – not mac and cheese type of comfort food, but with rice, curry, ginger sauce, and a bit of spice. We cater to various types of people [who love food]. We also have a lot of lactose-free customers who enjoy our food a lot.

Vegetable Deluxe, Curry Chicken, Chili Tofu, and Ginger Beef Meals

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown? 

Small local grocery stores have started selling lots of products that cater to special needs such as halal food and other dietary restrictions.

Chinatown is a destination for everyone  – you can find good Chinese/Asian food in Chinatown and there are things that you will learn and experience differently in a smaller shop or restaurant.

Padmanadi will be offering the following specials during Chinatown Dining Week. They are valid for either dine-in or take-out:

• $20 Special: Individually-Sized Meals with Spring Rolls, Jasmine Rice, and Chocolate Mousse Dessert; choose one of the following items:
  • Curry chicken: yellow coconut curry with veggie chicken, potatoes and vegetables
  • Vegetable Deluxe: Oriental vegetables and tofu stir-fry extravaganza (gluten-free)
  • Ginger Beef: soy beef strips, sweet bell peppers and carrots in a tangy ginger sauce
  • Chili Tofu: Deep-fried tofu and chili peppers, baby corn, carrots, green peas, and tomatoes in a spicy chili sauce
    
    Orders can be made via phone or in-person
    (780) 428-8899, press 1
    10740 101 Street
    Tuesday-Thursday 11am-2pm and 4-9pm, Friday-Sunday 11am-9pm, closed Mondays