Himalayan Kitchen’s Kailua location — previously located at 600 Kailua Road — has a new Windward Oʻahu location. It’s now in the former space of Tokoname Sushi Bar & Restaurant.
The eatery has been open in Kailua for about six years, according to chef/owner Suman Basnet. It has been open for about two months at this new location on Uluniu Street.
The business is known for its authentic Nepali, Indian and fusion cuisine. The menu is expanded (compared to the restaurant’s previous Kailua store) because this space has a bigger kitchen. Everything is made to order.
“It’s Indian-style cooking and Nepali-style cooking blended together,” Basnet says.
Customers can find a variety of lunch specials ($15.95 to $18.95), which are served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch specials are combination plates, which include basmati rice, a veggie of the day, slice of naan bread, and housemade chutney. Entrée options include chicken tikka masala ($16.95), lamb curry ($17.95), butter chicken ($16.95) and more.
The chicken tikka masala and butter chicken are the most popular lunch specials, according to Basnet.
The eatery offers an extensive selection of appetizers, entrees, naan breads and vegetarian-friendly dishes.
Popular appetizers include pakoras ($8.95) — onions and vegetables battered in chickpea and flour, and served with chutney — and Himalayan spicy wings ($12.95). The wings are marinated in four different chilies and grilled in a tandoori oven. They’re served with housemade chutney for dipping.
Other customer favorites include veggie samosas ($8.95) — turnovers filled with peas, potatoes and mild spices — and Himchuli chat ($11.95). The latter is a mix of garbanzo beans and samosas with cucumber yogurt and a tangy, spicy house chutney.
“Everybody knows samosas, but our spicy wings are really good,” Basnet says.
The eatery’s tandoori kebabs feature meats like chicken ($19.95), shrimp ($23.95) and lamb ($24.95).
If you want a little of everything, opt for the mix tandoori kebab ($22.95), which includes chicken tikka, lamb sekuwa, fish and shrimp charbroiled in a tandoori oven.
When it comes to signature dishes, the eatery’s chicken tikka masala ($20.95) and butter chicken ($20.95) are crowd favorites; the curries come with basmati rice on the side. However, Basnet encourages customers to try other specialties like curried chicken korma ($20.95), which features a coconut, onion and tomato-based curry sauce.
Himalayan Kitchen is also popular for its wide selection of vegetarian-friendly dishes. Popular options include saag paneer ($19.95) — ground spinach with homemade cheese, ginger root and mild spices — and veggie madras ($19.95), which is a mix of zucchini, eggplant and cauliflower in a coconut-based curry sauce.
“If you like lentils, we have daal makhani,” Basnet says, referring to the dish comprising kidney beans and black lentils in a tomato cream sauce. “Our eggplant korma with roasted eggplant and tofu is also good.”
The eatery’s naan breads are available a la carte; both plain and stuffed naan are available. The cheese naan ($6.95), jalapeno garlic naan ($5.95) and Himalayan naan ($9.95) are bestsellers. The latter features naan stuffed with spinach and shredded chicken tikka.
Himalayan Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays. Street parking is available.
CONTACT
Himalayan Kitchen
442 Uluniu St., Kailua
808-262-1800
himalayankitchenhawaii.com
Instagram: @himalayankitchenhawaii
Open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. lunch, 4:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner Tuesdays to Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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