Dhaba at Fifteen owner opens Mon Chai café in Norwich

Jahangir Ali, 33, opened the Indian restaurant Dhaba at Fifteen in Magdalen Street in 2018 and a year later it was named street food restaurant of the year at the English Curry Awards.

Mr Ali has now teamed up with his cousin Juned Ahmed to open Mon Chai at 52 St Benedicts Street, which was previously the home of café bar House. 

A cup of chai and a cheesecake from Mon Chai in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Chai is a spiced tea drink and on offer is its own blend alongside different varieties such as pink, caramel and saffron, with a range of coffees available too. 

There is an extensive menu with everything from small plates such as tapioca fritters and haleem, a savoury porridge with stewed lamb, to all-day breakfasts and larger plates including masala chicken and biryani. 

Deshi breakfast with daal, haleem and omelette wrap from Mon Chai (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Ali said: "I wanted to do something that represents Bangladeshi culture and chai is a part of everyday life there - our own blend is how our mums make it and you can't beat it.

"The success of Dhaba has enabled me to do something like this, but it is a very different concept."

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Despite the tough climate of opening a business amid the cost of living crisis, he is feeling excited about the new venture and being in the Norwich Lanes.

Cousins Jahangir Al and Juned Ahmed have opened Mon Chai in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He added: "I am feeling hopeful and when the opportunity came up last year I couldn't pass it up as the timing was really good and I want to bring Bangladeshi food and drink to the forefront, rather than just Indian.

"St Benedicts Street is also where you want to be as a food outlet, with other places like Benedicts, Sahara and Farmyard." 

The tiger mural by local artist Gnasher Murals in Mon Chai (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mon Chai is open 8am to 10pm daily.