Sudbury’s Asian restaurants have had their fair share of struggles lately. Between the fire at Lotus Blossom on March 5 and the recent closures of Paani and Fugakyu, it’s been a tough time for these small, independently-run businesses. But it’s not all bad news. Over the last two decades, Asian restaurants in Massachusetts have seen a major boost in revenue. Their incomes have skyrocketed from $1.2 billion to $4 billion annually. Here in Sudbury, restaurants like Lavender Asian Cuisine & Bar, Chili Basil Thai, and Oishii Too Sushi Bar mirror that well.
Lotus Blossom has been a staple in our community for years. After a recent kitchen fire, they bounced back quickly—reassuring its many patriots who hold this place so dear. Lavender Asian Cuisine, nestled in the Sudbury Plaza, has been adored by locals since its opening in 2008. With its lively weekend karaoke and well-rated food, this comes as no surprise. These places show that, despite the challenges, the Asian restaurant scene in Sudbury is beloved and important.
This is further shown by the closure of Paani, a tragedy felt townwide. Paani, which opened in 2009, was the only women-owned Indian restaurant in all of MetroWest. Its story, especially that of owner Vimi Verma, is one of passion, success, and, now, heartache. For so many of us, Paani wasn’t just a restaurant—it was a gathering place, a part of our community, and its closure felt like a personal loss.
When I was younger, I’d often beg my parents to pick up Paani. I can still remember the smell of the food after a late soccer practice. Its warm comfort filled my soul with joy, but even more warming than the food was the community. Even now, as a high schooler, Vimi still remembers me well, showcasing how much she cared for everyone who walked through her doors. The atmosphere of Paani, cozy, welcoming, full of friendly faces, was what made it such a special place.
Vimi wasn’t just running a restaurant though, she was building a home for the community. She chose to open Paani in Sudbury, not Route 9, because she loved this town and its people. “I have lived in Sudbury, raising both my kids and now my grandkids here. This town has been an integral part of my life,” she says. It’s clear how much she values this town, rejoicing in “so many special moments—family celebrations, birthdays, engagements, first dates, and even the everyday joys of people gathering over a meal. It was also a place where high school students got their first jobs, earning extra money to take their girlfriend or boyfriend out, put gas in their car, or save for the future. We also became the first stop for students arriving for
their winter, spring, or summer breaks, looking for a taste of home after being away at school.” For all of us, it was a place to gather, to share meals, and to create memories.
Vimi’s journey with Paani wasn’t all celebration though. It took over 30 years of her hard work to open the restaurant. She mentions how, “When we first started, I spent many nights standing in an empty, unproven space, envisioning the vibrant gathering place it would one day become.” With more persistence and dedication she worked to transform the once small space into the larger, vibrant place it became. She reminisced about how this new environment was “filled with even more energy, laughter, and community spirit.” But it wasn’t without its struggles. “Navigating expectations, breaking stereotypes, and dealing with changes in landlord dynamics presented unique hurdles,” Vimi says. In a town like Sudbury, where big corporate chains often overshadow the smaller, independent businesses, it’s hard for places like Paani to compete. And that’s something many local business owners can relate to.
“It’s heartbreaking to see this dream, which my late husband, my family, and I worked so hard to build, now gone,” she says. This loss isn’t just about a single restaurant—it’s about our community. The closure of Paani has left a void, and the implications have been felt across Sudbury.
When a beloved place like Paani shuts its doors, it’s not just about losing a restaurant, it means people lose their jobs, kitchens go quiet, and the local economy suffers. “When a restaurant like Paani shuts its doors, it’s not just about losing a favorite spot—it’s about what ripples through the community,” Vimi says. Small businesses like Paani are the ones who show up for the community; whether it’s by participating in the Sudbury 4th of July parade, donating to the Hope Sudbury Auction, or contributing to making the Sudbury Crossing garden beautiful. Cold corporations and big businesses don’t do that.
Asian American restaurants like Lavender, Lotus Blossom, Oishii Too, and Chili Basil are pillars of our community, and it’s our job to support them. We can do that by ordering from our favorite spots, spreading the word, and tipping generously. These restaurants aren’t just places to eat; they’re a family and a home.
As some of our favorite places close, let’s remember how lucky we are to have so many unique, locally-owned restaurants. Let’s not sit in complacency and let corporate giants take over. Let’s keep supporting the businesses that make Sudbury the warm and special place we all love.