Vikas Khanna at his second and most personal restaurant
Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna cares deeply about three things: food, family and friends. At least that’s what I’ve noticed in the six months that I’ve come to know the Michelin-star chef. Khanna officially opened Bungalow to artistic pomp and circumstance, all carefully planned and personally meaningful. For instance, the restaurant opened March 23rd, 2024 which would have been the 50th birthday of his late sister with whom Khanna was very close. In my most recent interview with the culinary star, Khanna talks about the health benefits of Indian cuisine, how he deals with grief and loss, and the importance of community through cooking and eating.
When I first met Khanna in 2023 at a private event hosted by our mutual friend, social media guru and founder of Digimentors, Sree Sreenivasan, the Punjabi chef was discussing an animated short, American Sikh, which he had executive produced. Of course, my first “interaction” with Khanna was the same as most of the world—watching him as a judge and host of MasterChef India which I used to watch with my mom (a very talented cook in her own right!)
Food Is Medicine
Unique appetizer made with purple sweet potato, served by owner and chef, Vikas Khanna, at his new ... [+]
As a physician, I firmly believe that nutrition is directly related to our physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, the leading causes of death in the United States including heart disease, cancer and diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthier diet. Khanna also believes there’s a strong connection between food and health.
“My grandmother used to tell me that Indian cuisine is a medicine,” explains the cookbook author who likes adding lesser-known foods to create dishes. “In our potato chaat, I’ve added ashwagandha to chickpea crispy droplets. I make sure to give every diner small packs of custom-made fennel seeds with rose flake and cardamom at the end of the meal—an ancient ritual for digestion.”
Studies show that spices can provide health benefits. Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce pain and swelling in individuals with arthritis as well as decrease inflammation in the brain which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Ginger may improve chemotherapy-induced nausea; garlic may lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease; and cinnamon may lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Chef Khanna uses all of these spices and more at Bungalow.
But we need to be mindful of not overestimating the individual-level contribution of food’s benefit and recognize the complex environment in which foods are processed and consumed, according to W. Scott Butsch, MD, MSc, FTOS, Director of Obesity Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
“Nutrients in some foods may have individual health benefits,” explains Dr. Butsch. “However, it's difficult to measure the therapeutic benefit of a food item in the complex arena of our diet. That said, in the clinical setting, we often discuss food having therapeutic potential as it may alter our absorption of nutrients, our blood sugar levels and even our microbiome.”
Dealing With Grief
Khanna (R) credits his mother as a beacon of strength, warmth and inspiration
Khanna has been open about the passing of his beloved sister, Radhika, and her profound impact on his life. He thinks of her every day. I can empathize. My father died on March 16th, 2023 from heart failure at age 89. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dad who was my number one fan. Khanna can relate.
“She was more than my sister, she was like my daughter. It was truly the hardest experience of my life,” reflects Khanna. While he was trying to recover from Radhika’s death in 2022, Khanna learned sublimation which he describes as changing form: “Sublimation was my rescue and redemption: I changed the form of pain to something more creative. This was my way of keeping my sister alive.”
Khanna and his partner, restaurateur and GupShup owner, Jimmy Rizvi, opened Bungalow on Mar 23rd, 2024 which would have been Radhika’s 50th birthday. “This restaurant honors her life in every way,” said Khanna.
Grief is universal, and everyone deals with it differently. When we experience profound loss, our body perceives this as a threat and defaults to survival mode. We go into ‘fight of flight’ which increases our blood pressure and heart rate. I see this in my traumatized patients all the time. Grief can also affect our brain which can impact memory, behavior, sleep and cognitive effects like brain fog.
But the good news is that help is available! Practice self-care—loss can feel overwhelming. Prioritize your own physical and mental health by eating well, staying active and getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Taking time off from work, school and personal/family duties can also help you process grief. As with any health problem, get professional help if you’re struggling to get back to your regular routine. Support groups and individual counseling can provide helpful tools to lift you up and address your loss.
Connection Is Critical
Bungalow's Indoor area has an outdoor patio feel
Khanna knows that he is not alone in his grief. So many people have lost a loved one, particularly during Covid, and many more are struggling with loneliness and isolation which is adversely impacting mental health. Khanna is aware of this public health problem and is hoping that Bungalow will foster a sense of connection among New Yorkers and beyond.
“I’ve been cooking professionally since I was 16,” says the former executive chef of Junoon. “Bungalow was more of my sister’s dream than mine.” Khanna’s sister had always said that he could create a home for everyone. When he saw the East Village space with Rizvi, “it took me home,” recalls the award-winning Indian chef.
Khanna knows that he is not alone in his grief. So many people have lost a loved one, particularly during Covid, and many more are struggling with loneliness and isolation which is adversely impacting mental health. Khanna is aware of this public health problem and is hoping that Bungalow will foster a sense of connection among New Yorkers and beyond.
“I’ve been cooking professionally since I was 16,” says the former executive chef of Junoon. “Bungalow was more of my sister’s dream than mine.” Khanna’s sister had always said that he could create a home for everyone. When he saw the East Village space with Rizvi, “it took me home,” recalls the award-winning Indian chef.
Science supports Khanna’s vision for community. Social connection improves sleep, wellbeing and quality of life. Spending time with others also promotes healthy eating and weight and improves recovery from stress, anxiety and depression. Medical professionals like Dr. Butsch are seeing a shift towards individualized wellness.
“What I’ve seen in the past two years since the approval of highly effective obesity medications is an increased priority on one’s health,” says the Harvard-trained nutrition specialist. “Individuals are willing to invest in their health.”
Khanna would like nothing more than to see Bungalow become a place for people to come together, share stories and exchange laughs over unique and flavorful dishes made with healthy ingredients. Food, friends and family—the perfect ingredients for a culinary sanctuary!
