The legendary singer's culinary journey serves up authentic Indian flavors across the globe.
Bollywood and food often go hand in hand, with many stars turning entrepreneurs and opening restaurant chains. But for Asha Bhosle, food is a passion. Known the world over for her magical voice, she is also a phenomenal cook who can whip up dishes that leave people just as mesmerized as her songs. Those lucky enough to have tasted her cooking often say her food carries the same soul and richness as her music. And over the years, this love for cooking grew into a successful restaurant chain that serves authentic Indian flavors worldwide..
So, on Asha Ji's birthday, let's step away from the stage and the studio to explore this delightful side of her.
Asha Bhosle’s relationship with food goes back to her younger days. In several of her interviews, she has often reminisced about how much she enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen. No matter how busy her playback schedule was, she always found time to cook for her family.
In her words, “I loved cooking from my younger days. My children and I even thought of publishing a cookery book, but there were so many recipe books already available in the market that it did not seem interesting. And who reads them anyway? My son, Anand, suggested the idea of a restaurant.”
And yes, that simple suggestion became the seed for a global culinary brand that would soon win hearts beyond Indian borders.
In 2002, Asha Bhosle opened her first restaurant, Asha’s, in Dubai, with an aim to serve authentic Indian food with a personal touch, infused with the warmth and flavors that Asha herself is known for.
And needless to say that it was an instant success. Diners loved the combination of exquisite recipes and the glamour attached to a restaurant created by a music icon. Word spread quickly, and soon Asha’s was an experience for foodies.
Over the years, the chain expanded to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf region. It also made its way to the UK, with outlets in Birmingham, Manchester, and Solihull.
(Credit: ashasrestaurant)
Today, more than two decades since its inception, Asha’s continues to be a beloved name among food lovers, offering everything from fragrant biryanis to smoky tikkas and traditional curries.
At cooking class in Dubai with Asha's chefs. 3 teams contesting. May the best one win... pic.twitter.com/RkVluinmkD
— ashabhosle (@ashabhosle) March 10, 2013
(Credit: ashabhosle)
Unlike many celebrity-owned ventures where stars lend their names and step back, Asha Bhosle remains actively involved in her restaurants. She personally supervises the menu and ensures her touch is felt in every dish.
Her signature recipes (such as Biryani and Baingan ka Bharta) have been on the menu since the beginning, and they remain customer favorites even today. The consistency of flavor, authenticity of spices, and soulful cooking style reflect Asha’s belief that food, much like music, must be timeless.
(Credit: ashasrestaurant)
Now, it wasn’t just the world that admired Asha Bhosle’s culinary skills. Her late sister, the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, was also a huge fan of her cooking.
In an interview, Asha fondly shared, “Lataji is a fan of my cooking and often tells people that no one can cook like me.”
Coming from someone as close and as respected as Lata Mangeshkar, this was a heartfelt recognition of Asha’s skill beyond music.
(Credit: ashasrestaurant)
See, what makes Asha’s restaurants stand apart is not just the celebrity factor, but the personal stories behind the dishes. Many of the items on the menu are inspired by recipes Asha Bhosle perfected in her own kitchen.
Diners who visit the restaurants often speak about how the food tastes “home-cooked” despite being served in a fine-dining environment. And that homely essence is exactly what Asha wanted to capture.
Her culinary philosophy is simple - food should be authentic, flavorful, and prepared with love, the same principles that guided her legendary music career.
From its humble beginnings in Dubai, Asha’s has grown into a restaurant chain with more than 10 outlets worldwide. The Gulf region and the UK continue to be its strongest markets, attracting both Indian expatriates craving a taste of home and international diners curious about authentic Indian flavors.
Though exact revenue figures aren’t always made public, the chain has been described in industry reports as one of the most successful Indian fine-dining brands overseas. Its longevity (spanning over two decades) is itself proof of its popularity and consistent quality.
(Credit: ashasrestaurant)
Asha Ji never looked at food as a distraction from music; instead, it became a parallel art form that gave her joy. In fact, many of her peers have recalled that while recording sessions could stretch for hours, Asha would often bring home-cooked meals for the team, turning a professional environment into a warm, family-like gathering. Her words perhaps sum it up best, “If I wasn’t singing, I’d be cooking.” Luckily for us, she chose to do both.
