One of the Sault’s newest restaurants was born out of a passion for healthy, sustainable eating.
Owner Oyunbileg Chuluunbazar (Oyuna) and her husband, Surendra Kumar Bansal (Kumar), opened Ojas Plant-Based Restaurant because they wanted to bring a unique dining experience to the city.
“We wanted to create a place where people can enjoy delicious, plant-based international fusion cuisine that not only tastes great but also contributes positively to their health and the environment,” says Kumar.
The name of the restaurant has special significance. “’Ojas’ is derived from the Sanskrit term, which means ‘vitality’ or ‘life force’. It reflects our mission to provide food that nourishes the body and soul, bringing happiness and well-being to our customers,” he says.
Many wonder how to pronounce it. “It is pronounced just like it’s written,” Kumar explains. “There are no silent or hidden sounds.”
Kumar is from India and Oyuna from Mongolia. The pair have extensive experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, each with over 20 years of experience running successful restaurants. They have managed and operated eateries that have served some very high-profile, distinguished guests—none other than the Dalai Lama, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Mongolia.
Kumar has worked in different Indian restaurant kitchens since 2002. The restaurant’s head chef, Georgekutty T.M., has over 10 years of professional cooking experience; he has worked as a chef in a 5-star hotel in Dubai as well as several prominent restaurants here in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Our culinary approach is influenced by a mix of traditional recipe and modern techniques, ensuring that every dish we serve is both authentic and innovative,” says Kumar.
Plant-based cooking is so important to the couple because it promotes health, sustainability and ethical eating. “By focusing on plant-based ingredients, we aim to offer our customers nutritious and delicious meals that have a lower environmental impact,” explains Kumar. “For Sault Ste. Marie, introducing a plant-based restaurant means providing the community with more diverse dining options and encouraging a healthier lifestyle.”
The restaurant has been very well received. “The first few months have been incredibly encouraging. We’ve received positive feedback from our guests who appreciate the unique flavors and the quality of our dishes. Many diners have expressed their delight in finding a plant-based restaurant that offers a diverse menu, and we are grateful for their support and enthusiasm,” he says.
Diners love the creativity that goes into each dish—and the taste. Some of Ojas’ most popular offerings include their fusion dishes that blend flavours from a variety of international cuisines. Their East Indian dishes have been a hit, as well as their Italian and Mediterranean-inspired offerings.
They are not an Indian restaurant, though they do offer some East Indian dishes. “India has a rich variety of vegetarian dishes and we include them as part of our international fusion menu, which features dishes from Italy, America, Japan, Mexico, the Mediterranean, and more,” says Kumar.
All of the food is all made fresh in-house daily and is 100% plant-based. The prices are comparable to other casual dining restaurants in the city and the food caters to various dietary preferences (plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal), not just vegans. There are no fake meat substitutes, just a lot of fresh vegetables and some dairy. The menu is designed to be nutritionally balanced and delicious.
Oyuna and Kumar only arrived in the Sault in December of 2023 and yet were able to get an entire restaurant up and running in just a few months. “Our extensive experience in the restaurant industry allowed us to efficiently set up and open Ojas Plant-Based Restaurant by April 2024,” says Kumar.
Before moving here, the pair spent a little over two months in Ottawa, and prior to that they lived in Mongolia, where they managed and operated several successful restaurants. Says Kumar, “Our strong network and determination helped us quickly establish our new venture in this beautiful city.”
The couple looks forward to expanding their menu and introducing new and exciting plant-based dishes. They’re also aiming to engage more with the community through events and collaborations, and they’re excited about the potential to promote plant-based eating and healthy living in Sault Ste. Marie.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey, including the honorable City Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, who graced our ribbon-cutting ceremony, and MP Terry Sheehan, who sent us a personal congratulatory letter,” says Kumar.
“Our mission is to serve happiness through our food and service, creating a positive impact on everyone involved, from our customers to our community and beyond. We look forward to continuing to serve and grow with Sault Ste. Marie.”
Residents and the local food scene in Sault Ste. Marie are certainly lucky to have the plant-based restaurant, the added culinary diversity, and the dynamic pair of Oyuna and Kumar behind it all.
Ojas is the Sault’s only 100% plant-based restaurant serving fusion cuisine. For more information, visit Ojas Plant-Based or call 705-256-8131.
You can also follow them on Instagram @ojas_plant_based and Facebook.