Jyoti-Bihanga opened (after a year-long remodel) in 1986 and is now the oldest vegetarian restaurant in San Diego. Sri Chinmoy, an eastern spiritual teacher from India, encouraged the owner, Mahiyan, and other members of the Sri Chinmoy San Diego Centre to open a restaurant that reflects the highest spiritual ideals.

In Sri Chinmoy’s words, "the mild qualities of fruits and vegetables help us to establish, in our inner life as well as in our outer life, the qualities of sweetness, softness, simplicity and purity."

Sri Chinmoy named the restaurant Jyoti-Bihanga, which means "The Soul-Bird of the Absolute Light Supreme." The restaurant is managed and operated by students of Sri Chinmoy. All students meditate regularly and are vegetarians.

While studying with Sri Chinmoy, the managers and staff had the opportunity to travel extensively, enjoying cuisine from around the world and often exchanging recipes with other Sri Chinmoy vegetarian restaurants in cities worldwide.

The staff combines delicious recipes (the carrot cake and Neatloaf have been favorites for decades!) with soulful preparation (done in a meditative mood) and friendly service whenever possible. Vegan options and variations have been created whenever possible to serve the growing interest in vegetarian eating.