Siblings Separated For 12 Years Reunite To Open Indian-Mexican Restaurant In This NJ Town

WESTFIELD, NJ — Separated for 12 long years, brother and sister Dhruv Shah and Ruthvi Shah have reunited and are opening Masalamex in Westfield with a mission to unite people through the power of food.

The Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant at 115 Quimby St. in Westfield is shooting to open the week of April 14.

"At the heart of our business lies a deeply personal mission: to unite people through the power of food. Our cuisine is more than just a meal — it tells a story. A story of immigrants and the enduring spirit of unification," said Owner Ruthvi Shah.

Shah was 12 years old and her brother Dhruv was 17 years old when they were separated due to immigration issues.

After 12 years, their struggle finally came to an end on April 26, 2016, thanks to a family restaurant in Edison, run by their parents, that brought them back together.

That restaurant became a beacon of comfort for its patrons, many of whom found that the flavors of the food transported them back to their homelands, said Shah.

Now, Dhruv and Ruthvi are carrying forward that legacy with a renewed purpose. They seek to recreate that same sense of belonging and connection, to bridge divides and bring people together, all through the universal language of food.

Their dream is to turn every meal into an experience that transcends boundaries, uniting everyone, one dish at a time.

The siblings chose to open an Indian and Mexican fusion restaurant to celebrate their love for their Indian culture and their love for Mexican food.

"We noticed how a lot of the spices are the same," said Shah. "So we were like, you know what? Let's try combining it."

At their Edison location, they started experimenting by serving Paneer tacos and Naan tacos and they sold out very quickly.

Now they will be bringing those menu items along with quesadillas, a lot of vegan options, and more to Westfield.

For more information on Masalamex visit instagram.com/masalamex.

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