Chef Rezaul Karim, also known as “Sweden’s Spice Man”, is one of the most respected and influential chefs in the Swedish culinary world. His passion for Indian flavors and dishes has led him to a prominent position in the restaurant industry, where his culinary talent has earned him both fame and several prestigious awards, including the “Guld Draken” and the British Curry Award.
Born and raised in Bangladesh, Rezaul moved to Sweden at the age of 19, a young man with a burning passion for cooking and a vision to bring his cultural dishes to a new audience. He quickly began to build a reputation at Indian restaurants in Stockholm, becoming known for his unique ability to blend traditional Indian flavors with Swedish fine taste.
His big breakthrough came when he opened his first restaurant, Indian Garden, in Horntull, Stockholm. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among both locals and food critics. Indian Garden’s dishes, filled with authentic Indian spices and innovative twists, gained significant attention and helped create an increased demand for Indian food in Sweden. The success in Stockholm led Rezaul to expand his business, and soon he had eleven restaurants in Stockholm and Norrköping, cementing his status as one of the country’s most prominent restaurateurs.
However, Rezaul Karim wasn’t content with only running restaurants. He wanted to reach even more people and give them the opportunity to enjoy his dishes in the comfort of their own homes. To meet this demand, he launched Indian Garden Lunchbox, a service offering fresh and delicious Indian meals delivered to the door through major grocery chains like ICA, Coop, and Hemköp. The concept became a huge success, meeting the growing demand for convenience without compromising on quality and taste.
Rezaul Karim has also always had a passion for tea and the Indian tea ceremony. To share this part of his culture, he recently opened Chaiwali, an Indian tea salon where guests can enjoy authentic Indian tea in a relaxing and cozy environment. Chaiwali offers a unique experience of both taste and atmosphere, making it a place where both Indian traditions and Swedish modernity meet.
Rezaul Karim’s culinary journey is an impressive story of passion, innovation, and success. Through his restaurants, lunch deliveries, and new tea salon, he continues to captivate his customers with his flavorful and spicy creations, becoming an important symbol of Indian food in Sweden. His journey is far from over, and it is with great anticipation that we look forward to the new adventures he has in store for the future.