New Pan-Asian restaurant opens in Swindon's Old Town

The 48 is serving up pan-Asian cuisine from the former home of Thai Orchid on Victoria Road.

After hosting a preview evening on Wednesday, head chef Ravi Dahayalan and his wife Anjana Varman welcomed their first customers on Thursday, which marked the moment their 15-year dream became a reality.

The 48 head chef and co-owner Ravi Dahayalan with his wife Anjana Varman and front of house manager Bilial Hussain. (Image: Newsquest)

The couple come from a coastal town in South India and have always wanted to open a restaurant that brings together a fusion of different flavours and tastes from across the 48 countries that make up modern Asia, which is where the name for their new business comes from.

The menu aims to offer an ever-changing array of traditional dishes and tasty fusions, as well as small plates that can be shared with friends and loved ones around the table.

Some of the food served on The 48 restaurant's preview night (Image: Newsquest)

Front-of-house manager Bilial Hussain has years of experience in the hospitality sector and joined this new venture after meeting Ravi and being impressed by the chef’s passion and skill.

He said: “I have worked with a lot of great head chefs but I have not met anyone as switched-on about food as Ravi.

“He was so driven and he never gave up even after facing lots of challenges with supplies, electricians, and decorating. We could have opened in August but wanted to do it properly and make sure everything was absolutely right first.

“We want to create an old-fashioned get-together with authentic Asian food and bring some spice into British life.

“It’s not just about good food and good wine, it’s about the hospitality. You can come here with your family and get the full attention of the chefs and service staff."

Food served at The 48 restaurant in Swindon (Image: The 48)

During the preview evening, the options on offer included chicken gyoza in tonkatsu sauce, Pad Thai and yakisoba noodles, chargrilled lamb koftas in minted yoghurt, beef with basil in chilli sauce with mixed peppers and green beans, salt and pepper squid in sweet chilli mayo, and a goat curry which had been slow-cooked for six hours to get it just right.

One diner told the Adver: “It’s rare for fusion restaurants to get it right because they are often catering for too many different tastes, but The 48 makes a great attempt at cooking multiple styles and satisfying many pallets.

“The food is great and the staff are wonderful. They should do well in Old Town.”