If you’d told the Mehta family back in 1993 when they arrived in New Zealand that their future in their new country would include running a very popular restaurant and takeaway for 20 years, they might have laughed at you. Back in Gujarat, where they came from in India, they were a farming family – and hospitality was definitely not part of any future plans.
But in a story shared by so many other migrants, the Mehtas’ new life meant different opportunities. “Our Dad, Raghuvir, worked in a factory when he got here and Mum wanted a job, but she didn’t have a lot of experience, so it was hard to figure out what she could do.” says daughter Toral. “Roops came about by accident, really. Mum started making roti and samosas from home and selling them to students and workers who were far from their families and home cooking - she had no idea back then it would get this big, or this busy.”
“Back in those early days there was nowhere to get our food, only a few Indian places and almost no Gujarati ones,” says Kit, Toral’s brother. “Word of mouth spread, and people loved being able to get proper vegetarian curries and dhal.” And Mina, his Mum, loved providing that for them – parcels of tasty food wrapped up in love for homesick souls.
It was soon clear there was demand for their food and by 2001 they had to find premises. Those are the same premises Roops now occupies on Richardson Road where people of all nationalities flock for thali meals, snacks and Indian sweets. “At first it was really only our community, but now we get people from all different backgrounds, some who understand the food; some who want to try it for the first time,” says Toral. And the family loves that curiosity.
“It’s wonderful sharing our culture and food with other people.”
Spring is a particularly busy time for sweet making. There are three festivals almost one after another – Navatri, Ganesh Chaturthi – and of course Diwali, the festival of lights.
One of most popular sweets at Diwali are jalebis – the national sweet of India – and Roops are well known for theirs. These sweets are seen in brightly coloured piles (usually yellow or orange) on roadside stalls and restaurants all over India. Made from a mix of flour, water, sugar and food colouring, deep fried in ghee; you can’t help but look at them as their vibrant hues and translucent swirled circular form draw your eye in.
“Our customers have always loved our jalebis,” says Kit. “That encourages us to keep making sure they’re the best and freshest at all times.”
While COVID-19 has meant that the Mehta family can no longer staff their dine in service, there’s been no lack of enthusiasm from loyal customers who are happy to take food away. Whether it’s soft roti and curries, a full thali meal, street food specials or the sweet and crispy jalebi, Roops has created a community around them who love honest home cooking full of Indian flavour.
Roops,
6/489 Richardson Road,
Mount Roskill
Roops.co.nz
