You no longer have to drive to Kaimuki or Ala Moana to satisfy that craving for garlic naan, chicken tikka masala or butter chicken from Himalayan Kitchen.
Known for its authentic Nepali and Indian cuisine, the restaurant opened in Honolulu’s Chinatown about two months ago. According to the business’s Instagram, its Kailua location is being renovated and is supposed to reopen this month.
The Maunakea Marketplace spot is the smallest of the three restaurants, according to Vikram Kher, the chef of the Chinatown location. He says the Chinatown store is open around 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but it might close earlier depending on foot traffic.
So, what can you expect? The newest location has a setup reminiscent of Panda Express — but with Indian cuisine, of course — and is designed for easy visibility (you can see what entrees are available on any given day) and grab-and-go. The selection of meats and veggies change daily, and the menu is mostly the same as that of the Kaimuki restaurant, with a more limited selection.
“99% of everything is made here, but since this kitchen is smaller, we get a few things from the Kaimuki location,” Kher says.
The two-choice plates ($14 vegetarian, $16 chicken and $17 lamb) are the most popular option. They include rice and two entrees. Choose from options like chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, saag lamb and Nepali-style chicken curry. Keep an eye out for featured specials like goat curry and vegan-friendly taro and squash fusion. There are a variety of vegetarian-friendly entrees — including saag paneer, veggie madras and chana masala — available, as well.
“Paneer is like an Indian cottage cheese,” Kher says. “The saag paneer is one of the most popular dishes here.”
Dosas, or thin, savory crepes, are not listed on the menu, but you can always ask for them. Choose from veggie, chicken or lamb fillings. This popular South Indian breakfast food is characterized by its crispy exterior and often comes with sides of sambar (a vegetable stew made with lentils) and chutney. The veggie option boasts a delicate wrap and flavorful, potatoey filling.
The dosas are made to order, so there might be a short wait depending on the time of your visit (the lunch rush is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to Kher). Rest assured, though, it’ll be worth it.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
