Chef Teegavarapu Sarath Mohan opens Kozhi, a fine-dining fried chicken spot on Somerset West
The former Katha chef is now serving elevated fried chicken at a 24-seat Somerset restaurant sourcing organic birds from 90 kilometres north of Montreal.
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Chef Teegavarapu Sarath Mohan has opened Kozhi, a 24-seat fine-dining restaurant on Somerset Street West just west of Booth Street, marking his return to the Ottawa food scene after Katha closed in early 2025.
The restaurant's name plays on multiple meanings: "Kozhi" means chicken in several South Indian languages, while "Cosy" describes the intimate space with tables for two or four and a six-seat bar. The location, previously home to Sri Lankan restaurant Karuna Cafe and then Nigerian takeout Mealsbymo, has been renovated to project a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Mohan is asking Ottawans to embrace fried chicken at an elevated price point. A multi-course meal runs $55 per person — significantly higher than casual fried chicken chains, but aligned with the restaurant's upscale ambience and culinary approach.
Mohan sources his birds from Giannone Poultry, located about 90 kilometres north of Montreal. The chickens are organic, antibiotic-free, and certified as both halal and humanely raised. Mohan dry-ages and marinates smaller, younger birds before coating them in a gluten-free batter, a technique he says yields crispier results while making the dish accessible to more diners — though it drives up the final cost.
This pivot to fried chicken came after Katha's year-long struggle with profitability. "Maybe I'm too ahead of what the city wants," Mohan said, reflecting on the closure. He spent much of the past year working at Ek Bar, the modern Indian restaurant in the same space where Katha operated before his latest venture. Kozhi represents a deliberate step back from the avant-garde tasting menu format toward a universally loved dish executed at a higher level.
The restaurant sits within Chinatown's recent transformation, part of a wave of new establishments reshaping the neighborhood.
Good to know
Where is Kozhi located?
Kozhi is on Somerset Street West just west of Booth Street in Ottawa.
How much does a meal at Kozhi cost?
A multi-course meal at Kozhi costs $55 per person.
Where does Kozhi source its chicken?
Kozhi sources organic, antibiotic-free chicken from Giannone Poultry, located about 90 kilometres north of Montreal. The birds are certified as both halal and humanely raised.
