Suresh Khadka and Bristi Moktan are the couple behind Ureshii. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Christmas can be a difficult time for those doing it tough, but a local Canberra restaurant is opening its doors for a three-course Japanese lunch for 100 people in need.
Ureshii Japanese Restaurant opened 18 months ago in Tuggeranong, and owners Bristi Moktan and Suresh Khadka have been supported by the local community since day one.
“We feel like the community helps us a lot. Once they’ve tried our food, they are committed, and they recommend us to their family and friends, and we have a lot of regulars,” Bristi told Region.
“We have got so much from the community, so we wanted a way to give back.”
The couple has decided that the best way to give back would be to host a free Christmas Eve lunch for people in need, sharing a three-course Japanese meal with that community. Bristi said they’ve previously donated goods to the local community pantry, but they wanted to do something more this year.
“It’s a gift from us to the community.”
Ureshii is a local favourite of Tuggeranong’s burgeoning dining scene. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The Nepalese couple said they don’t personally have a strong traditional connection to the holiday but wanted to embrace the Christmas spirit of gift-giving. They will offer guests a three-course meal of gyoza and edamame to start, a choice of three main dishes and ice cream for dessert, with vegetarian options available, too.
They shared the news on social media, saying, “This Christmas, let’s come together to spread love, joy, and kindness in our community. At Ureshii, we believe the holidays are a time for togetherness and kindness.
“Join us for a Japanese meal in this festival of giving and fill it with love and laughter.
“This might be a small event in the grand scheme of things but we want our small effort to make lots of people’s Christmas special.”
Bookings for the Christmas Eve lunch are essential as there is limited space in the restaurant, but they hope to serve 100 people, including families with young children. Some bookings have already started to come through after the couple shared the event on their social media, and their Tuggeranong community has been sharing the news through word of mouth.
But there is still plenty of space available, and Bristi contacted Region for this story in order to share the news widely across Canberra so they could reach those who most need it.
The bookings operate on an honour system – guests won’t be asked to prove their need or show any concession cards – and the couple anticipates that Canberrans will respond with the same spirit of honesty, and people won’t take advantage of the offer unless they are genuinely in need.
The hospitality industry in Canberra has been hit hard by the cost of living crisis, and many restaurants are struggling to stay afloat, so for Ureshii to offer this free lunch is an incredibly generous gesture to the community.
Ureshii Japanese Restaurant is hosting a free lunch for 100 Canberrans in need this Christmas Eve. Photo: Ureshii/Facebook.
To book a place on Christmas Eve, call Ureshii to book on 02 6182 8171. Two times are available at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm on Tuesday, 24 December.
You can support Ureshii Japanese by visiting them during their regular opening hours 11:20 am to 3 pm and 5.30 to 9 pm, seven days a week at South.Point G U 22/210 Anketell St, Greenway. Follow Ureshii on Facebook or Instagram.
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