You can now get butter chicken, naan, spinach paneer and veggie samosas in Wahiawā.
Cha Cha's Indian Curry opened a few weeks ago. The eatery offers single serving entrees (which come with basmati rice) and plates, which include basmati rice, a choice of veggie side dish and a side of naan. Entrées cost $15 to $22 while plates cost $15 to $20, depending on your protein choice.
It’s convenient to order for takeout, but the restaurant also has a dining room with tables.
Protein choices include butter chicken, lamb curry, chicken biryani and lamb vindaloo. If you don’t see a specific protein on display, ask the friendly staff about it — a fresh batch might be waiting in the kitchen.
Butter chicken and lamb curry are the current bestsellers. Butter chicken is prepared Indian barbecue-style and served in a creamy tomato and fenugreek sauce. The sauce has a strong tomato flavor, but it’s not super spicy; the chicken was tender and flavorful. The lamb curry is cooked with onions, ginger, tomatoes, garlic and aromatic spices.
Customers can also opt for vegetarian choices like spinach paneer, mixed veggies and chana masala. Spinach paneer — a flavorful mix of creamed spinach and Indian cottage cheese cooked with Indian spices — is my go-to, just because I love the huge chunks of cheese and the spinach’s creamy texture.
The veggie choices change daily. During our visit, cabbage and peas and black-eyed peas were available.
While naan is included with your plate, it’s also available a la carte ($3), which is perfect for mopping up all that curry.
The eatery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Mondays).
CONTACT
Cha Cha’s Indian Curry
935 California Ave., Wahiawā
808-230-9040
Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Mondays)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
