The team behind several of the city’s restaurants has said they have “received such love” ahead of opening a new site
Owners and staff members at Ikkayees on South Hunter Street in Liverpool
The story of Ikkayees is not your run-of-the-mill entrepreneurial tale. The Liverpool culinary brand, located on South Hunter Street, was born on the streets of Calicut, India, in 2014 thanks to founder Fulaij Nelliyot.
Since then, it has blossomed into an international restaurant family with several sites dotted around the city and another coming soon. The brand started just over a decade ago when a group of college students were deeply moved by their experiences at a palliative care centre in Southeast Asia.
Meeting a spirited six-year-old named Kulsu and witnessing the resilience of patients battling chronic illness inspired Fulaij and his brothers, Shafrin and Muhammed Arafath, and friend Shibili Latheef to merge entrepreneurship with compassion.
United by their empathy and drive for social good, the group found themselves drawn to charitable initiatives, most notably Operation Sulaimani. The free food program in the city of Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, enabled those who cannot afford a meal to “have food with dignity” and avoid waste.
Carrying on their work for the community, the brothers and Shibili launched the bright yellow Ikkayees Food Truck along Kozhikode Beach. From day one, they knew and said they wanted it to be “more than a business” – an aim that is still true today.
Ikkayees owners Arafath, Shafrin, Shibili with restaurant manager Shamsudheen Kalliyil
The aroma of authentic Malabar cuisine drew locals and travellers alike, but it wasn’t just about the food. Ikkayees provided a platform for economically disadvantaged women, allowing them to showcase their skills and earn a livelihood.
Through this heartwarming scheme, widows, single mothers, and marginalised individuals found empowerment and dignity. This type of kind work allowed the Ikkayees brand to reach the heights of success it enjoys today.
Ikkayees currently employs over 250 people in eight branches across India, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom. It is also behind County Road’s Indo Curry and Tuebrook’s Wraps and Shakes. The brand is preparing to open another site on Victoria Street in September, and ahead of this, the ECHO met with the brothers and Shibili to find out what customers can expect.
Muhammed, a 38-year-old who lives in the town centre, said: “That moment was nothing short of life-altering. Meeting little Kulsu shattered our comfortable idea of ‘normal life’. At the centre, surrounded by people battling pain with laughter and resilience, we realised food could be more than a meal; it could be hope and a way of serving humanity.
Chefs at work in the kitchen in Ikkayees on South Hunter Street in Liverpool
“That day, business stopped being about profits for us — it became about purpose. Every plate we’ve served since has carried that lesson: compassion first, everything else after. Fear was our constant companion in those early days. Financial uncertainty loomed large, especially as a group of students invested everything into a dream on wheels.
“But the bigger fear was, ‘Would people believe in food with a purpose?’. We overcame it the only way we knew: with authenticity. The yellow truck at Kozhikode Beach didn’t just serve Malabar snacks; it served trust, love, and a sense of belonging. That sincerity won hearts long before the profits did.
“We thought we were introducing Malabar cuisine to Liverpool, but instead, Liverpool welcomed us like an old friend. Customers are adventurous, curious about our heritage, and genuinely touched by the story behind the food. Many come not just to eat but to connect.
Ikkayees owners Arafath, Shafrin, Shibili with restaurant manager Shamsudheen Kalliyil
“Liverpool felt like destiny. It’s a city with a big heart, much like Kozhikode — diverse, vibrant, and rooted in community. Walking its streets, we felt the same energy as Kozhikode Beach, where strangers gather around food, conversations, and shared laughter. It wasn’t just about expanding abroad; it was about finding a second home for our story.
“Our ultimate aim has always been to bring all sorts of food from South India to Liverpool. But now, with the new restaurant, we want to include authentic food from all the states of the country. We have a team going across the states picking up different types of food we want to explore.
“This is just the beginning. We dream of taking Malabar’s soul food to every corner of the world where compassion is needed. More UK outlets are in the pipeline, and yes — we have our eyes on new countries too.”
Until then, guests can enjoy everything from prawns, fish moles, beef coconut, and chicken varutharachathu at the South Hunter Street venue. Shibili, a 33-year-old who lives on Dale Street, said the chef’s mango curry keeps customers coming back to the 28-seat venue.
Ikkayees owners Arafath, Shafrin, Shibili with restaurant manager Shamsudheen Kalliyil
The company’s hard work and determination haven’t gone unnoticed. The venue was recently shortlisted for a prestigious award at this year’s English Curry Awards.
Although they lost out to Waterloo’s Da Mount Gurkha, the four of them still beat off hundreds of entries to get as far as they did – ranking among the top ten best the region has to offer.
Shafrin said: “Our whole team is overjoyed to receive such love from the people of Liverpool. We are just a small shop tucked away in a corner near Liverpool University — not a famous brand in the UK.
“Yet, we have felt Liverpool’s love every day. On weekends, people wait for seats, leave us wonderful reviews, and even bless our staff for maintaining our quality and service. Honestly, what more could a small business wish for within just one year? To be where we are now, in a short time, makes us really excited for what is next. We are really proud of ourselves.”