Appu’s Turmeric Café — A Doctor, a Spice, and a Little Fire in the Morning
 

Down in East Long Beach, just off Palo Verde and Stearns, there’s a small café tucked into a low-key shopping center. From the outside, Appu’s Turmeric Café doesn’t shout—but step inside, and you’ll find a clean, calm space lit by golden spice tones and a glowing green wall.
 

This café is a true family affair, started by Dr. V.R. Venkataraman—a retired neurologist turned chef—whose mantra is painted right on the wall: “Cooking is an art… Baking is a science. I am an artist.” He calls it “seriously healthy food,” and it shows. The menu is all plant-based, blending Indian soul food with Mexican-style presentation—think samosa burritos, turmeric jackfruit tacos, and lentil soups built to power your day.
 

During my visit, I caught Chef V.R. chatting with a group in one of the booths, offering a kind of informal hospitality you don’t always find. When he saw me waiting, he got the cook to help—and walked me through a few first-timer suggestions.
 

I ended up with the Paneer Tikka Masala Soup and a Mango Lassi, and honestly, that soup? A little creamy, a little fiery, and exactly what I didn’t know I needed at 11 AM. Not just a heat—it had that warm, slow-building spice that clears your head and wakes up your morning. The lassi cooled things down in the best way.

Chef V.R. says it like this:
 

“Healthy eating is a choice—eating healthy is a lifestyle.”

It’s more than turmeric. It’s intention. It’s food with a purpose—and just enough fire to make you feel something.
 

📍 2211A Palo Verde Ave #A, Long Beach, CA 90815

🌟 Yelp: 4.7 | ✅ Health Grade: A | 💲 Price: $10–$18 | Locations: 1 | Family Owned

Website | Google Maps
 

🪑 Features: Plant-based menu, fusion bowls & burritos, daily Thali lunch, dine-in

📝 Description: Family-run café by a former neurologist fusing Indian soul food with a health-conscious mission—served with warmth and a little spice.

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