Himalayan Kitchen’s Ala Moana Center location has been replaced by a different Indian eatery.
Tandoori Express opened in February in Himalayan Kitchen’s former space at Ala Moana Center (it’s located on the street level, close to Macy’s and Assaggio Hawaiʻi). While Himalayan Kitchen offered Nepali-Indian cuisine, this new eatery features Pakistani-North Indian cuisine.
We’re told the latter features more grilled meats, while Nepali-Indian food is more curry-based.
The eatery’s layout remains the same; there are a few tables for dine-in service but the business is conducive to takeout.
If some of the menu items sound familiar, it’s because the chef used to work at now-closed Bombay Palace (in Discovery Bay Center). Compared to Bombay Palace, Tandoori Express features a more streamlined menu, focused on the eatery’s most popular dishes since the current space is more conducive to takeout (instead of a more formal dining experience).
Start with appetizers like veg samosas ($5.99 for two), which boast a crispy exterior and soft interior. They’re served with a refreshing mint chutney.
The lunch plates ($12.99-$15.99) are a new option (compared to the former Bombay Palace menu) and feature your choice of two or three curries with a side of rice or naan. This gives customers a chance to try several curries instead of ordering a single curry entree.
Curries range from chicken tikka masala and butter chicken to lamb rogan josh (tender lamb in an aromatic, creamy tomato curry) and paneer Makhani (paneer cubes in a creamy, tomato-based sauce). Although it’s not listed on the menu, palak paneer (cubes of Indian cottage cheese in a creamy spinach curry) is also available. Customers just need to ask for it.
Curry entrées ($12.99-$14.99) come with a side of rice.
The eatery also features reasonably priced bentos ($10.99 each). Choose from tandoori chicken or tandoori lamb on rice with a side of raita (yogurt sauce). So far, the lamb kebabs have been a customer favorite.
The menu also features a selection of grilled meats — tandoori chicken ($15.99), tandoori shrimp ($15.99) and tandoori lamb kebab ($16.99) — along with naan breads, dinner specials (chicken biryani and chili chicken), and beverages like the popular mango lassi ($5.99).
CONTACT
Tandoori Express
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
Instagram: @tandoori.express.hawaii
Open for lunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Mondays (closed on Tuesdays)
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
