Vegan Caribbean restaurant Jam Delish opens in London serving plant-based versions of traditional dishes

From veganfoodandliving.com

Jam Delish has an extensive menu, which boasts veganised versions of traditional Caribbean favourites, includes 'Saltfish' Tostones and Jerk 'Chicken' Wings

The founders of a vegan Caribbean pop-up have become the newest additions to the London vegan restaurant scene by opening a permanent restaurant.

Jam Delish was co-founded by Jordan Johnson after he was furloughed during one of the Covid lockdowns, and started life as a pop-up.

According to Jordan, he saw a gap in the market, which inspired the eatery.

The foodie, whose mother is Australian and father is from Jamaica, says it was difficult to find his favourite traditional Caribbean dishes once he turned vegan.

After starting the Jam Delish delivery kitchen to create the vegan dishes himself, he took Jam Delish to events including festivals.

He then cooked for a host of vegan celebrities and high profile figures including US rapper and movie star Common, leading Black Panther actress Letitia Wright, British actress Lily James, and England football player Raheem Sterling.

‘Next level’ vegan food

According to Jordan, while Jam Delish’s food is ‘not fine dining’, neither is it casual in terms of the ingredients used and how dishes are plated.

The restaurant’s menu will boast a range of veganised traditional dishes, including Island Trio and Grilled Roti, which features jerk baba ghanoush, plantain hummus, burnt spring onion and chilli butter, and grilled roti.

Meanwhile, the ‘Saltfish’ Tostones offer diners vegan saltfish, peppers, twice fried green plantain, samphire, scotch bonnet mayonnaise.

Another classic dish on offer is the meat-free ‘Oxtail’ Stew, made from jackfruit and wild mushroom, with butterbeans, herb cassava dumplings, plantain, Jamaican sweet potato, rice and peas, and crispy onions.

A further plant-based meaty dish is the Jerk ‘Chicken’ Wings with Rice and Peas, boasting Jam Delish-marinated ‘chicken’ wings, rice and peas, Caribbean fried cabbage, Jamaican sweet potato, fried plantain, and Jamaican gravy.

The desserts menu is also packed with treats including a chocolate ice-cream sandwich served with Guinness punch sauce, and a mango and coconut tart.

To accompany their meals, diners can choose from a range of drinks including signature Jam Delish cocktails, vegan wines, Champagne and beers.

Jam Delish 

In a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, Jordan Johnson, Jam Delish co-founder, said: “We’re so excited to be launching our first ever Jam Delish flagship restaurant. 

“My sister and I have grown up in Tooting but are from Caribbean heritage – we both made the decision to go vegan many years ago now but always missed the authentic Caribbean dishes we grew up on, so from here we started experimenting and have managed to create vegan versions of our favourite Caribbean meals over the years – and in all honesty, you wouldn’t know the difference!

“The recipes have been perfected so much over the years that my vegan and meat-eater friends alike just can’t get enough, when they come to visit – a hot favourite is definitely the vegan jerk ‘chicken wings’ on the ‘bone’ and our curry ‘goat’. 

“After enjoying the dishes so much ourselves and amongst friends we decided to share the experience for others seeking plant-based versions of their favourite Caribbean dishes, by launching Jam Delish.”

Inspired to visit, but not in London? Find out about independent vegan establishments near you in our round-up of the best vegan restaurants across the uk

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/vegan-caribbean-restaurant-jam-delish-open-london/