
YMBA Restaurant owner

- Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA), Lighthouse Street
Fort is a peaceful place with a special essence. I love the community. I get so many different people here, bank staff, sisters from the chapel, trainee teachers from Southlands College and young monks.



A community service
My husband began the restaurant in 1998 – he loved the Fort and I continue to run it in his honour. The residents here have only ever helped me. Money doesn’t matter. In 21 years. I haven’t saved. My main aim is to ensure people’s stomachs are full. My happiness comes from meeting different customers, providing them with affordable meals and having good connections with the local community. Those of all faiths, professions and social backgrounds come.
Culinary specialities
Our most popular dish is red rice and curry, which we serve every day from 5.30am-3.30pm. Many customers say they enjoy the friendly atmosphere, and dishes such as our gotukola salad, jackfruit and bitter gourd curries, which remind them of home-cooked food. Egg hoppers are also very popular in the mornings – we make these with brown rice flour. We even make a special mild coconut milk curry for our customers who have gastritis. When we are short of staff I cook but I don’t think my curries taste as good as the ones my staff make!



A spiritual place
The Fort is a peaceful place with a special essence – I always feel safe even when I’m on my own. I begin each day at 5am by sweeping the restaurant, spraying turmeric water to cleanse it, burning charcoal to clear spirits, and then placing flowers and lighting a lamp in front of the shrine to Lord Buddha. Most days I also visit the temple – it’s a spiritual place which brings me mental peace. Sometimes I make an offering to the Bodhi tree, which has special powers, or I take food to the monks.