Tastes Indian: Guests enjoy Anna dishes at Yo! China in Patna on Monday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Aug. 29: Anna Hazare’s favourite mode of protest is hunger strike but that has not prevented an eatery in the state capital from inviting guests to savour Chinese delicacies in the name of the septuagenarian social activist.

Yo! China at Bander Bagicha has introduced new dishes in the name of Anna to attract food lovers.

Anjani Kumar, the manager of the outlet, explained why his restaurant had introduced these dishes: “Everything these days revolves around Anna. It is not possible for everyone to go to Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi and support him. So, we thought this is the best way to espouse him and his cause.”

Anjani added that at present the dishes would be available for a week. If they proved to be as popular as the campaign for Jan Lokpal Bill, they could become permanent on the menu.

Some of the dishes that residents can savour at the restaurant are Anna Zin Ball, Legendary Anna Sizzler, Anna Thai Chicken, Anna Red Curry Chicken and an Anna combo dish. Most of them are priced between Rs 100 and Rs 200.

Guests at the restaurant were also taken in with the idea. The manager said they had served the Anna dishes on at least 10 tables by lunchtime.

Anjali, a student who come to the restaurant with her friends to enjoy a Chinese fare, said she was pleasantly surprised on learning about the new dishes. She said: “I came here with my friends to have some regular Chinese dishes. But when we came to know that they have introduced these Anna dishes we were surprised. We decided to give it a try.”

They ordered for Anna Red Curry Chicken.

Mugdha Suman, another guest, said: “I came out for some shopping in the super market in the neighbourhood. But when I came to know that this restaurant is serving Anna dishes, I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to try out Anna dishes to show my support to him and his cause.”

Anna’s supporters would, however, be surprised to know that many of the dishes that bear his name are non-vegetarian though the social activist is a strict vegetarian. The restaurant management had an explanation for that.

Anjani said: “Although Anna Hazare is a vegetarian we have introduced non-vegetarian food as well in his name. That is because we want both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food lovers to remember Anna and enjoy the food.”