You’ll be bowled over by this community-based approach to cooking

Ella Navarro

One Bowl
Drejervej 13, Cph NV; open Wednesdays 18:00-21:00; 5279 4387; onebowl.dk
Urban living can be a bit of a lonely existence. Getting to know the people around you can help to soften the cold reality of life in a city centre. One Bowl is a community-based restaurant that aims to do just that by bringing locals together over a home-cooked style meal. If you are new to Copenhagen, it should definitely be on your to-do list.

Inspired by Indian roots
The not-for-profit outfit was founded two years ago by Allwin Jebahar who established the organisation along with the help of some dedicated volunteers. Every Wednesday, Jebahar – who doubles up as the kitchen’s cook – comes up with a different menu inspired by his own culinary Indian roots, so expect a lot of savoury spices and vegetarian dishes.

The menu of the night consisted of: maple-glazed carrots, noodle salad and masoor dal topped with a zingy orange tahini sauce. The superb dinner was accompanied by some warm bread and every mouthful was tantalising!

Bonding through food
Jebahar, having been inspired by the Australian not-for-profit ‘Lentil as Anything’, decided to open One Bowl as a place for friends and neighbours to get together over a warm dinner.

“My wife and I thought it was a great idea to start something similar – to create a social circle for those people who might not be involved in too many activities and find it a challenge to meet people in the city”, explained Jebahar.

But One Bowl is not simply just a means to a meal, it’s an experience through which people can break out of their one-man pod, leave their phones on the table and chat to those they might normally pass by on the street. Through his study of sustainable management, Jebahar’s curiosity drove him to examine how societies can be social through sustainable means. One Bowl seemed like the perfect way to put his study into action “to build a good community and to create a good society”.

“People can take care of each other and get to know each other beyond their social level, country or race,” Jebahar enthused. “Food has always brought people together.”

One Bowl is based on this all-together-now principle. “People in the olden days sat together and ate from one bowl. It was a very common thing in the past, just to signify the inclusiveness of being part of a family,” he explained.

Pay what it’s worth
To really cement the community spirit of the place, everyone is welcome whether they can pay for their meal or not. There are no fixed prices, but a 40kr donation is suggested. Diners can always contribute more or less, dependent on their budget.

The central focus is to have a good time, mingle with your neighbours and fill up on warm healthy food.

“It is an ideal place for us international students to be part of the community and meet new people who have another view of the world”, said Quang from Vietnam, who’s one of the regular volunteers. He studies psychology so be careful, as he might want to read your personality through your handwriting!

“I really liked the vision and the concept of the organisation so I signed up one year ago. I just cooked for myself but now I’ve learned to cook for over 40 people”, added Emilie from France.

“It’s a nice place to socialise and it’s interesting to meet a whole lot of different people,” chipped in Chloe, who is originally from Canada and just 16, the youngest of the volunteers.

Made with love
Jebahar’s admirable initiative is so genuine that you really feel that you are eating food that has been made with love and care. It’s that very same heart-warming feeling you get from munching down your own granny’s cooking.

Soon there may be an opportunity to share a meal every day, as One Bowl has big future plans to expand operations through Monday to Friday.

TOP STORIES

  • Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    After more than a decade living in Denmark, Russell shares why she made the move, how she’s coping, what she already misses, and the exciting new projects she’s working on. “It’s been a very tough decision. I love Denmark, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says.

  • Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    The new Gefion AI supercomputer is one of the world’s fastest and will accelerate research and provide new opportunities in Danish academia and industry.

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs