![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XNQSM4RYN5H4ZOFMHUAUO5IDHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9399f3a404ec8f0b2e6334c34b95e7a651933038ccca2dc7bd3cfa9ce3f5f1ac&width=400&height=225)
Nana-Serwa Mancell, owner of Veghana restaurant.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NLKKCKRO4ZE5HFQS7I2DK43OYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e09f07774e172f49a9de6667ab6700824107a1c0f353119f37b906d36a3bc9e6&width=400&height=225)
Plantain and beans with gari foto from Veghana, a restaurant selling West African vegan cuisine in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MQSOCGJVGRD6FFY3QD4A5LFTTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=977bb39267bccaf9867fa21fd3e444a0098f257052f7805566a065f9d039ef3f&width=400&height=225)
Spinach and egusi (melon-seed) stew with fonio plantain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2HWI5RWVBESVFA3XJJZCDQUXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f2a53e7206cee2655fdaa50fb65249a98a3c072801e32d14fe20a5fb834e5f5&width=400&height=225)
Tahini and oat choc chip cookies, right, and pineapple and ginger muffins.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDXGP3BU3FCBNKZ2R3A52URKVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=06d1ad5362d2b8d0188a5d8bdea0e3c66c692221e8cfa51c4154130d7eb72c33&width=400&height=225)
Vegan chocolate cake from Veghana.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EZN5RT4ZMVE3BGZRHCVCBFPP4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=03d7891da422a9199b00ac55a7e6c926c3cf1d5b6b354e1833df07b24a43ed1e&width=400&height=225)
Jollof rice with fried plantains.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XNQSM4RYN5H4ZOFMHUAUO5IDHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9399f3a404ec8f0b2e6334c34b95e7a651933038ccca2dc7bd3cfa9ce3f5f1ac&width=400&height=225)
Nana-Serwa Mancell, owner of Veghana restaurant.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NLKKCKRO4ZE5HFQS7I2DK43OYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e09f07774e172f49a9de6667ab6700824107a1c0f353119f37b906d36a3bc9e6&width=400&height=225)
Plantain and beans with gari foto from Veghana, a restaurant selling West African vegan cuisine in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MQSOCGJVGRD6FFY3QD4A5LFTTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=977bb39267bccaf9867fa21fd3e444a0098f257052f7805566a065f9d039ef3f&width=400&height=225)
Spinach and egusi (melon-seed) stew with fonio plantain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2HWI5RWVBESVFA3XJJZCDQUXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f2a53e7206cee2655fdaa50fb65249a98a3c072801e32d14fe20a5fb834e5f5&width=400&height=225)
Tahini and oat choc chip cookies, right, and pineapple and ginger muffins.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDXGP3BU3FCBNKZ2R3A52URKVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=06d1ad5362d2b8d0188a5d8bdea0e3c66c692221e8cfa51c4154130d7eb72c33&width=400&height=225)
Vegan chocolate cake from Veghana.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EZN5RT4ZMVE3BGZRHCVCBFPP4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=03d7891da422a9199b00ac55a7e6c926c3cf1d5b6b354e1833df07b24a43ed1e&width=400&height=225)
Jollof rice with fried plantains.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XNQSM4RYN5H4ZOFMHUAUO5IDHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9399f3a404ec8f0b2e6334c34b95e7a651933038ccca2dc7bd3cfa9ce3f5f1ac&width=400&height=225)
Nana-Serwa Mancell, owner of Veghana restaurant.
Okra and fonio: Dubai vegan restaurant Veghana brings West African flavours
The online business is trying to change the perception of plant-based dishes being bland
![Saeed Saeed](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fdfd6c0d0-f148-4163-b51c-fe3b293b0f9d.png?smart=true&auth=fbad4a9efbd3b8c272380498534cedd4e4b64afad5f5593a426d913b1da43080&width=70&height=70)
Saeed Saeed
10 November, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic