3 days ago
Meet the takeaway owner who has brought new pan-Asian dishes to Inverclyde
A POPULAR pan-Asian restaurant in Greenock is celebrating its second year serving up delicious food to customers who 'can't get enough' of the international flavours on their doorstep.
Umami 17ngon on Argyle Street first opened in 2023, bringing a new type of takeaway to Inverclyde - a venture that restaurant owner Ben Egan says has been 'a fantastic opportunity'.
The food blogger from Birmingham moved to Greenock eight years ago, having been convinced by his wife to start a new life in Inverclyde, bringing his passion for food with him.
Ben opened 17ngon in 2023 and has brought a twist to the Inverclyde food scene (Image: George Munro) Each month Ben crafts a new Asian-inspired menu which sees him make dishes from countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Korea – all made from fresh ingredients and hand-made noodles.
The 37-year-old honed his culinary skills by studying French classical cuisine at Birmingham College of Food - though having grown up in a household full of chefs, he's always had a love for cooking.
"My love for food comes from my mum and grandfather," he said.
'I remember my mum had an old-school, 70s-style pastry book which would teach you how to make a chocolate cake using chocolate fingers and other really basic recipes.
"But I loved reading ingredients and measurements, being able to visualise the grams and cups of things, and how a recipe would come together.
'My grandfather introduced me to indoor markets and fresh fish. He used to show me the very basics of cooking and a love for fresh produce.'
Ben is now sharing his passion with the people of Inverclyde, having taken the leap to open his own place after building up a growing following for his food blog and YouTube channel, where he began demonstrating how to make his favourite dishes during the Covid lockdown.
He told the Tele: 'There was a gap in the Inverclyde food scene, especially for a healthy takeaway alternative, and something bit different flavour profile wise.
'Seeing that was missing here, and also eating out here myself, I wanted something new.
'When you haven't had these flavours before, or tried things like fresh noodles or dough from scratch, whether that be dumplings or bao, it can be quite overwhelming compared to frozen ingredients or mass-produced food.
"But you really do taste the difference.
'That's a big appeal for people and then they just keep coming back for the fresh ingredients and tasty food.'
More by Isla believes anyone can cook, and hopes his online recipes and his monthly Greenock Telegraph recipe column will inspire more people to 'give something new a go'.
He added: 'It's just knowing what to put together and having the foundations to say 'let's use X, Y and Z' and then build from that basic recipe and basic ingredients to make something more fancy or interesting.'
On one of the busiest days this year for 17ngon, Ben says they cooked up 90 orders within two hours – an overwhelming task for any takeaway, but even more so when all the food is cooked in front of you.
The takeaway owner says he is looking to expand the business to other parts of Inverclyde 'in the near future' as the restaurant establishes itself as a popular food spot in the town.
'I think the area is such a hidden gem," he said.
"Inverclyde is a very pretty area, and there are incredible views. There is also lots of opportunity.
'And it's not just me. There are other businesses making moves, like Tonino's and The Alchemist, who are bringing a buzz to the Inverclyde food scene.
"Its a perfect place for 17ngon."
