Man allegedly murdered by Nepalese chef while he ate dinner at Ballarat Indian restaurant

Friends have remembered a man murdered by a Nepalese chef as a caring community member.

Abdullah Siddiqi was allegedly attacked by Hari Dhakal as he ate dinner alone at Ballarat Curry House about 8.30pm last night.

“Everyone is shocked. For me, he was a very, very close friend of me,” Imran Zafar said.

“This morning when I saw the news, I didn’t want to believe it. You can’t replace him.”

Friends said Abdullah and his wife were trying to make a new life in Ballarat after moving from Pakistan.

9NEWS understands a knife was used after the IT worker became intoxicated and aggressive.

Mr Dhakal, 49, was charged with murder and did not apply for bail at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The court heard it was his first time in custody, and he had no family in Australia.

Mr Dhakal will face court again in March next year.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.