If you are an avid meat eater do you ever wonder what it would be like to try a totally meat free meal and go Vegetarian? Well, now you have the chance big time – with the opening of a super Vegetarian Indian restaurant called Saras.  Not your typical perception of Lettuce, Tomato and Cucumber offerings, this ultra modern spacious restaurant (and take away service for a fast food feast) offers a wealth of truly traditional Vegetarian (strict Jain and Vegan; i.e.: non dairy) dishes from all over India, plus a few favourite Veggie recipes from China and Thailand as well!  By Vegetarian, it means no Eggs are used in any of the dishes.   “Saras” means “Juicy”, and true to its word the six expert chefs are busy in the kitchen creating an amazing assortment of Vegetarian dishes and Indian Sweets, all bursting with an array of flavours and textures to tantalize one’s taste buds.

The Menu is split into various sections, with specialty set meals from Gujarati (275 baht), North India (235 baht), Punjabi (220 baht) and Rajhasthani (25 baht), all with a selection of Thali, Curry, Daal, Rice, Roti, Pickles and Dessert that is favoured in each region.   There are specialty dishes from the South, especially the extremely tasty Dosa (large round thin crispy bread) filled with a variety of different Vegetables from 85 baht to 145 baht for Cheese Dosa.  There are Tandoori dishes such as Tikka Kebabs from 130 baht for Aloo (Potato) to 220 baht for one of the chef’s specialties, Multani Mushroom.  Then there is a section called Chaat Chowpati, which literally means Street Food, so here you can safely sample Indian street vendors’ delights such as different filled Patties, Samosas and Puris, and all under 100 baht.  There is an impressive range of Chinese Vegetarian recipes from 90 baht for Vegetable Spring Rolls to 175 baht for Manchurian Paneer.  Plus an assortment of delicious Dumplings called Momos and Rice and Noodle dishes such as Schezwan style (110 baht) to enjoy, even that good old fashioned American style Chop Suey is on the menu!  Equally good are the variety of Thai dishes, with Curries, Noodle and popular Thai Salads such as Somtam (Green Papaya) at 110 baht. 

Saras also presents a variety of Ala Carte Curry dishes, Snacks and even Pizza – all Vegetarian of course! A Veggie Cheese Burger will cost you 110 baht, with Pizzas around 135 baht.  

We tried so many of these wonderful dishes it is difficult to write about them all, as each dish tasted so good, freshly prepared with fine ingredients to bring out their own unique flavours and textures. One must mention the assortment of excellent Breads, all freshly baked in the kitchen, with not only popular styles such as Naan and Pakora, but first class Dosa and Kulcha as well.

Saras serve up a selection of hot and cold drinks including a very unusual tasting Masala Shikanji (75 baht) and Masala Tea (45 baht). No alcoholic drinks!

What is so good about Saras is that they do not serve up dishes that pretend to imitate and look like traditional Meat presentations.  Saras is quite simply a Vegetable Heaven!  Definitely give it a try!
Saras is conveniently located on the ground floor of the Sun City Hotel (next to Siam Bayshore) on Pratamnak Road in South Pattaya. Saras is open every day from 9am until midnight. Telephone: 038 424 769.