Ekash (pronounced eh-CASH) (singular and plural are the same) are a type of food-serving establishment found in coastal Dalbanu as well as in some southern cities in Viridia along the Chaska Sea. Far more temporary than any tavern or restaurant, ekash are usually established along well-traveled roadways or especially on or near shipping docks, with their owners operating out of mobile carts in which they store not only their supplies but also their other possessions. Especially in Viridia, ekash owners tend to live itinerant lives, moving frequently to where their services are in demand and where their presence is tolerated.
Ekash serve simple but hearty Dalbanu food that can be prepared in bulk and with sometimes unreliable access to ingredients. They were introduced into Viridia to feed the crews of Dalbanu merchant vessels carrying goods along the coasts, who often appreciate cheap but filling cuisine from their homeland. Ekash rarely have any form of menus - for a small fee, their patrons simply buy whatever was made for the day, which is rarely more than one or two options. Dishes common at ekash include lamb and beet stew, leek pastries, fried or breaded fish, and blood soup, all frequently served alongside flatbreads. Some adapt their foods for the Viridian palate, while others keep them as traditional as they can, seasonality and accessibility of ingredients excepted. Few ekash use more than an open fire to cook with, which limits their options further. Beer is often available as well, usually brewed by the ekash owners themselves.