In the bustling culinary landscape of Mumbai, actor and model Lin Laishram is serving up something refreshingly rooted -a taste of home. Lin, the wife of actor Randeep Hooda, is the proud founder of Akhoi, Mumbai’s first-ever Manipuri cloud kitchen. Dedicated to offering authentic delicacies from the northeastern state of Manipur, Akhoi is not just a restaurant- it’s a celebration of identity, culture, and lesser-known regional cuisine.
Born and raised in Manipur, Lin has always carried a deep love for her native food. Moving to Mumbai, she realised how underrepresented Manipuri cuisine was in the city’s food scene. Driven by nostalgia and a mission to share her roots, she launched Akhoi- named after the Meitei word for "rice"-to introduce the richness of Manipuri dishes to a wider audience.
Busting myths with a veg thali
In a recent video shared on Akhoi’s Instagram, Lin tackled one of the biggest misconceptions about northeastern cuisine-that it’s strictly non-vegetarian. “There is a misconception that people from the Northeast only eat meat. It’s nothing like that,” she said. “Today I will show you what a vegetarian Manipuri thali looks like.”
The veg thali she presented included:
Ooti – A comforting dal preparation made with green grams and rice.
Paneer in Milk – A delicately spiced dish simmered in milk.
Chak-Hao Kheer – A sweet pudding made with Manipur’s famous black rice.
Peanut and Brinjal Fry – A nutty, savory dry side.
Spicy Eromba – A fermented mashed veggie dish with mild spice.
Singju Salad – A spicy, crunchy salad made with seasonal vegetables and sesame paste.
Steamed Rice – The base of every Manipuri meal.
Akhoi stands out not only for its rich menu but for Lin’s commitment to education through food. Her kitchen is helping debunk stereotypes and open up conversations about diversity in Indian cuisine. Through Akhoi, Lin Laishram isn’t just feeding appetites-she’s feeding cultural curiosity, one thali at a time.
