My Story

My name is Arunachalam Pudupadi Eaganathan, though in Hong Kong most people know me simply as Alex P.E.. I was born in India, studied mechanical engineering, and began my career in the watch industry. For five years, I worked at Titan Watches, designing complete timepieces. In 1998, two years after my marriage, destiny brought me to Hong Kong. I joined a small watch company as a quality control engineer, and over the next 20 years—through changes in ownership and management—I rose to become Chief Operations Officer (COO). My career took me across China, the US, and Europe, teaching me invaluable lessons in manufacturing, sales, and marketing.

In 2016, my wife encouraged me to take on a new challenge. I acquired a struggling Indian grocery store near our home, rebranded it, and transformed it into MaharajaMart, now one of Hong Kong's most recognized Indian grocery brands. By 2017, I left the watch industry to start my own watch company. But my journey was about to take a very different turn—one rooted in my lifelong passion for vegetarian food.

I have been a vegetarian since birth, and when I first arrived in Hong Kong, choices were limited. That's when I discovered Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. My office was right next door, and I ate there almost every day. Over time, I became close to the family who ran it, and Woodlands became my second home. In 2018, when I learned that Woodlands was facing closure after 36 years, I made an overnight decision to save it. On December 12, 2018, we reopened with a fresh look, restored authenticity, and renewed energy.

For the first eight months, my wife and I managed the restaurant ourselves—she inside, me outside—ensuring every detail was right. I used my Cantonese skills to connect with locals and introduced them to South Indian cuisine, which was largely unknown in Hong Kong. Within a few months, we achieved the local chinese customers' trust. Despite challenges—the 2019 protests, followed by three years of COVID—we persevered. In December 2022, exactly four years after reopening, we launched our second branch in Wan Chai.

Destiny played its part again. A Wan Chai location I had once been denied became available in 2022, and I secured it for Woodlands. Along the way, we also launched Hello India (2020), MaharajaTickets (2021) for movies and events, and Maharajah Care (2023), a healthcare service for non-Chinese-speaking residents. In 2024, we expanded further: Our third branch at the Chinese University of Hong Kong opened in the year 2023—the first Indian vegetarian restaurant inside the prestigious campus. Our next branch in Macau opened in the year 2024, the largest Woodlands yet, spanning two floors. It proudly stands as the first and only Indian vegetarian restaurant in Macau, offering dedicated Vegan, Jain, and Buddhist menus (without the five pungent vegetables).

Through all this growth, one thing has never changed: my personal connection with guests. I read and respond to every Google review myself, especially when someone is unhappy. Feedback is a gift, and I use it to improve continuously. Our mission is clear: to make Woodlands one of the top destinations for vegetarians, vegans, Jains, and Buddhists, while showcasing the unmatched diversity of Indian cuisine.

I am deeply grateful to God, my family, my team—whom I treat like family—and our loyal customers. My philosophy is simple: always think from the customer's point of view, stay positive, and never give up. That is why Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is today among the highest-rated restaurants in Hong Kong. As long as I lead this journey, Woodlands will remain true to its promise: 100% vegetarian, authentic, and heartfelt.