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Balasia – A Green World Café

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Balasia - a Green World Café in Emmaus, Pennsylvania is known for its intricate world cuisine and chef and owner Wendy Landiak’s careful preparation of foods catered to each individual’s taste.

Wendy studied ethnobotony (how cultures use indigenous plants) in India and Indonesia and brings her belief that food is medicine to her menu. “My favorite dishes are the ones where I really meet the person, see where they are at culinarily, and then make their day with a meal that really gives them what they need at that moment in time,” she says. She offers a “Chef’s Surprise” where you tell her your favorite spice and your choice of seitan, tofu, or lentils and she customizes a dish for you.

Customers can also choose from a menu that changes daily, and one of her most popular dishes is the Ayam Goreng – Indonesian fried “chicken” made from homemade seitan and battered with whole-wheat flour and coconut, served over lemongrass-infused rice noodles and basil and Indonesian coconut milk curry.

Other popular offerings include regionally inspired three-course meals called “Balasia adventures.” “These are products of my travels, inner and outer, and they are also creations from places where I would like to go,” says Wendy. The “Sanskrit Trip” was inspired by her trip to India and starts with a sweet potato curry soup topped with roasted onion and apple chutney, followed by a samosa salad with mango chutney and finishing with karachi dahl (spiced lentils) served over basmati brown rice.

Wendy believes in creating food that sustains the community. “Building relationships with local stores and farmers makes us all stronger and makes everything that much more fulfilling,” she says. Organic ingredients on the menu are bought from the abundance of farms within miles of Balasia - Red Earth, Liberty Gardens, and Lettuce Alone Farms, as well as local tofu producer, Fresh Tofu, inc. “The food here is awesome. The people who grow it really care,” she says. “Being able to talk directly to the people who grow your food gives you one more energetic connection to the food.”

Balasia is in the process of changing locations, and Wendy just opened a vegan take-out at the Allentown Farmer’s Market so that her customers can continue to enjoy the same high-quality, delicious, vegan, gourmet cuisine that was offered in her previous location. Her goal is to make her next restaurant as eco-friendly as possible, with a working farm, year-round outdoor dining and wind, solar and hydro power. “I appreciate every person who has ever supported me and my vision. I can't wait for the next step!” she says.

As the holiday season kicks into full gear, Balasia offers catering services and large party trays, as well as a full holiday spread. The menu includes a butternut squash based holiday soup, specialty drink (for Thanksgiving it was Ginger Cider), roasted sweet potatoes with dried fruit, garlic and parsley mashed potatoes, sage and walnut stuffing, choice of entree (caramelized onion and mustard baked tofu, seitan in rosemary baby bella gravy, or pineapple baked vegan ham) and a choice of dessert (pumpkin pie with a walnut oat crust, pumpkin cake with vegan cream cheese icing, or pumpkin cheescake).

With Balasia just a little over 3 years old, Wendy says that it is the people in her community that keep her going. “I love everybody that walks in the door. I make the food to suit their soul.”

You can find Balasia at the Allentown Farmer's Market:
1725 Chew St.
Allentown, PA 18104
Stand #37A - located on the East end of the market

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