Many Kasa customers ask about the origin of our food and our family roots. So this post is about Punjabi and Sikh culture and it’s connection to Kasa’s food.
I am not religious, but I religiously wear a gold necklace (a gift from my grandmother) with a picture of Guru Nanak, the serene founder of the Sikh religion. I’ve had more people express curiosity about this necklace than any other piece of jewelery I’ve ever worn, and I’m surprised at how few people know about Punjab or the Sikh religion.
Like most religions, Sikhism has its blemishes but there are aspects of it that are simply beautiful.
The premise of ‘Langar‘ – the Sikh community kitchen – is closest to my heart. The word Langar is Persian for Alms House, but in Punjabi culture, Langar is intended not only for poor people but for everyone to eat together. Implicit in this spirit is a rejection of the caste system and socio-economic class distinctions.
Langar is served (free of charge) throughout the day at Sikh temples called ‘Gurdwaras’ around the world. Fresh vegetarian meals are served in Thalis just like you see at Kasa, and everyone regardless of religion or social status eats together on the floor.
My comfort in the kitchen and ability to cook for large numbers of people stems directly from years growing up doing ‘seva’ in Gurdwaras. Seva — which means selfless service for your community — is core to Sikh culture and fuels devotees to donate ingredients, help cook, serve the food and wash dishes during Langar. Anyone can participate in any part of this process, or they can simply eat and enjoy Langar alongside the community!

I don’t want to present myself as more selfless than I am, and admit that being in the Gurdwara kitchen growing up was a lot more fun than sitting in the prayer hall meditating. As a 7 year old, I remember walking into the kitchen in Southall (London) and being unsure as to what to do. A gruff big older woman saw me standing there and shoved me into an area where finished rotis were being buttered (the easiest job in the kitchen!), and gave me a block of butter to get to it. I was thrilled and buttered away quietly, watching and listening to everyone else.
I was part of a bustling kitchen that would be serving food to hundreds of people within the hour! The famous Bangla Saab Gurdwara in Delhi (shown here) serves 10,000 meals per day, and the Golden Temple in Amritstar – the holiest of Sikh temples – surely serves even more! Somehow you’d imagine this to be chaotic but it is not. The whole Langar process is super smooth and organized, despite being dependent on people randomly showing up to donate ingredients and help out.
It is simply beautiful how it works.
If you’re curious about how authentic Kasa’s food is, or interested in participating in Langar, I suggest a visit to a Bay Area Gurdwara where you’ll always be welcome. Suresh, me and the kids usually go to the Gurdwaras in El Sobrante or Fremont.
Anamika
