Essence Indian Cuisine
780 Merchant St, Vacaville
(707) 449-8888
Customers' Favorites
Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice
Flooda Ice Cream Gulab Jamun
Tandoori Chicken Wings
Essence Mix Biryani
Vegetable Samosas
Lamb Tikka Masala
Goat Cheese Naan
Butter Chicken
Breaded Shrimp
Dahi Sev Puri
Vegetarian Appetizers
Veg Samosa (2 Pieces)
Delicious fried pastries stuffed with potatoes, peas, coriander and other spices. Served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Mix Veg Pakoda
Cauliflower, onions, spinach and potatoes battered in gram flour and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Paneer Pakoda
Stuffed cottage cheese fritters, battered in gram flour and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Veg Cutlet
Mashed vegetable patty dipped in batter and drenched in breadcrumbs and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Cheese Balls
Crispy balls made with mozzarella cheese, potatoes, vegetables and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Spring Rolls
Crispy and crunchy rolls filled with savory mix of vegetables.
Potato Wedges
Fried potatoes with seasoning and served with ketchup.
Pani Puri
Gol gappe. Bite sized crispy shells stuffed with potatoes and chickpeas and served with tamarind and mint flavored water.
Dahi Sev Puri
Crispy shells stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, mint and tamarind chutneys and topped with sev.
Bhel Puri
Puffed rice tossed with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lemon juice, mint and tamarind chutneys.
Samosa Chaat
Samosas that are served with chickpeas, yogurt, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.
Aloo Tikki Chaat
Potato patties served with chickpeas, yogurt, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.
Papdi Chaat
Crispy dough wafers served with chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt, onions, cilantro, sev, mint and tamarind chutneys.
Dahi Bhalla Chaat
Soft lentil fritters that are deep fried and drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with potatoes, chickpeas, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.
Chilli Paneer
Cottage cheese stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.
Gobi Manchurian
Battered cauliflower stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.
Veg Manchurian
Crispy vegetable balls served in tangy soy sauce.
Essence Special Paneer Tikka
Bite size chunks of cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and spices and stir fried with bell peppers and onions.
Vegetarian Family Platter
Combination of samosas, bread pakoda, veg cutlet, mix pakoda and onion rings.
Non-Vegetarian Appetizers
Chicken Pakoda
Boneless chicken fritters, battered in mixture of gram flour and spices and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Fish Pakoda
Fish fritters, battered with gram flour and spices and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Chicken Wings
Classic fried wings served with ranch.
Breaded Shrimp
Butterflied sweet and succulent shrimp, coated in a delicious and crunchy panko breadcrumb coating.
Chilli Chicken
Boneless chicken stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.
Madras Fried Shrimp
Shrimps stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.
Non-Veg Family Platter
Combination of chicken pakodas, fish pakodas, breaded shrimp and chicken wings.
Soups & Salads
Dal Soup
Lentil. Lentil soup flavored with mild herbs and spices.
Tomato Basil Soup
Rich and creamy tomato soup cooked with basil and garlic.
Chicken Soup
Creamy soup cooked with chicken and vegetables.
Garden Salad
Fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and carrots served with ranch or Italian
dressing.
Chickpea Salad
Tomatoes, onions, cucumber, spinach, olive oil tossed with chickpeas and kidney beans.
Chicken Salad
Chicken, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, lettuce, chickpeas and kidney beans served with ranch or italian dressing.
Tandoori Specialties Vegetarian
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Bite size chunks of cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in tandoor with bell peppers and onions.
Tandoori Specialties Non-Vegetarian
Tandoori Chicken
Bone-in chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.
Chicken Tikka Kebab
Boneless chicken breast marinated with yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.
Tandoori Chicken Wings
Chicken wings marinated with special in-house sauce, spices and lemon juice.
Pepper Chicken
Boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, cream, ginger, garlic, white pepper, cashews, herbs and spices.
Lamb Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb blended with herbs and spices and cooked in tandoor.
Tandoori Shrimp
Jumbo shrimp marinated with ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.
Tandoori Salmon
Salmon marinated in oil, black pepper, ginger, garlic, lemon juice herbs and spices.
Tandoori Mix Platter
The ultimate combo tandoori chicken, lamb seekh kebab, salmon and shrimp.
Vegetarian Dishes
Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda
Fritters served in yogurt based curry made with gram flour and spices.
Pav Bhaji
Mashed bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, peas, potatoes cooked with special pav bhaji masala and served with pav buns.
Chole Bhature
Puffy fried bread served with delicious chickpea savory, raita and pickle.
Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and seasonings.
Baingan Bharta
Egg plant roasted in tandoor, then mashed and cooked with tomatoes, onions, green peas and other spices.
Bhindi Masala
Okra cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices, turning it into decadent savory.
Chana Masala
A delicious combination of chickpeas, onions and tomatoes in a richly flavored sauce.
Paneer Tikka Masala
Cottage cheese cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Kadai Paneer
Cottage cheese with stir fried bell peppers, onions and then cooked in thick gravy.
Shahi Paneer
Cottage cheese cooked in creamy sauce made with cashews.
Matar Paneer
Cottage cheese and peas mixed in spices and gravy.
Paneer Bhurji
Shredded cottage cheese cooked with tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, herbs and spices.
Methi Malai Paneer
Cottage cheese cooked in creamy sauce made with fenugreek and other spices.
Malai Kofta
Cottage cheese, potatoes and vegetable balls simmered in creamy cashew sauce.
Navratan Korma
Mixed vegetables cooked in creamy cashew sauce and garnished with raisins and cashews.
Mix Vegetables
Various vegetables and cottage cheese cooked with herbs and spices.
Chana Saag
Chickpeas cooked with mustard, spinach, onions, ginger, garlic and other spices.
Saag Paneer
Mustard, spinach and cottage cheese cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.
Sarson Ka Saag
Punjab's favorite dish. Mustard, spinach cooked with ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes and spices.
Dal Makhani
Black urad lentils simmered with kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and butter.
Yellow Dal Tadka
Five different yellow lentils stewed with tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and other spices.
Mushroom Bhaji
Mushroom cooked in delicious thick gravy with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and spices.
Matar Mushroom
Mushrooms and peas stir fried with tomatoes, onions, herbs and spices.
Aloo Matar
Potatoes and peas mixed in spices and gravy.
South Indian Vegetarian Specialties
Plain Dosa
Rice and lentil crepe served with sambar.
Masala Dosa
Rice and lentil crepe stuffed with potatoes, onions, mustard seeds and served with sambar.
Paneer Dosa
Rice and lentil crepe stuffed cottage cheese and served with sambar.
Uttapam
Rice and lentil pancake garnished with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and served with sambar.
Idli Sambar
Light and fluffy steamed rice cake served with sambar.
Chicken & Egg Dishes
Chicken Tikka Masala
Roasted boneless chicken breast cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Butter Chicken
Marinated boneless chicken thigh cooked in tandoor and then simmered in creamy and buttery tomato sauce.
Kadai Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh with stir fried bell peppers and onions and then cooked in thick gravy with additional spices.
Jeera Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cumin and spices.
Chicken Korma
Boneless chicken thigh cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.
Methi Malai Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.
Mango Chicken
Chicken thigh cooked in sweet and sour mango sauce.
Coconut Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh simmered in creamy coconut sauce.
Chicken Saag
Boneless chicken thigh cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.
Chicken Do Pyaza
Boneless chicken thigh cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and yogurt sauce and spices.
Chicken Mushroom Masala
Boneless chicken breast cooked with mushrooms, fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Chicken Curry
Boneless chicken thigh cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.
Chicken Vindaloo
Boneless chicken thigh and potatoes cooked in spicy sauce.
Egg Bhurji
Scrambled eggs cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, herbs and spices.
Lamb & Goat Dishes
Lamb Tikka Masala
Lamb cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Kadai Lamb
Lamb with stir fried bell peppers and onions and then cooked in thick gravy with additional spices.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Lamb curry with combination of intense spices in onion and tomato sauce.
Lamb Achari
Lamb cooked with bell peppers, onions and spices used for pickles.
Methi Malai Lamb
Lamb cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.
Lamb Do Pyaza
Lamb cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and yogurt sauce and spices.
Coconut Lamb
Lamb simmered in creamy coconut sauce.
Lamb Korma
Lamb cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.
Lamb Bhuna
Lamb cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cumin and spices.
Lamb Saag
Lamb cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.
Lamb Vindaloo
Lamb and potatoes cooked in spicy sauce.
Lamb Curry
Lamb cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.
Goat Curry
Bone-in goat cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.
Goat Achari
Bone-in goat cooked with bell peppers, onions and spices used for pickles.
Seafood Dishes
Shrimp Tikka Masala
Shrimp cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.
Methi Malai Shrimp
Shrimp cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.
Coconut Shrimp
Shrimp simmered in creamy coconut sauce.
Shrimp Saag
Shrimp cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.
Shrimp Korma
Shrimp cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.
Shrimp Curry
Shrimp cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.
Shrimp Bhuna
Shrimp cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cumin and spices.
Traditional Fish Curry
Fish simmered in golden brown curry sauce.
Goan Fish Curry
Aromatic fish curry from Goan region of India cooked with a blend of spices, garlic, ginger and onions along with fresh tomatoes and coconut.
Rice & Biryanis
Jeera Rice
Basmati rice cooked with cumin.
Lemon Rice
Basmati rice cooked with lemon juice, onions and turmeric.
Veg Pulao
Basmati rice cooked with vegetables and spices.
Veg Schezwan Fried Rice
Basmati rice cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, spring onions, cilantro, carrots and schezwan sauce.
Veg Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with vegetables, onions, tomatoes and spices and served with side of raita.
Chicken Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with chicken, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.
Lamb Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with lamb, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.
Goat Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with bone-in goat, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.
Shrimp Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with shrimps , onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.
Mix Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with vegetables, chicken, lamb, bone-in goat, shrimp and spices served with raita.
Naans (Breads)
Plain Naan
Soft buttered flat bread baked in tandoor
Garlic Naan
Soft buttered flat bread with garlic and cilantro
Chilli Naan
Soft buttered flat bread with green chilli and cilantro.
Bullet Naan
Soft buttered flat bread with green chili, garlic and cilantro.
Aloo Naan
Flat bread stuffed with potatoes, onions, ginger, cilantro, spices and brushed with butter.
Onion Kulcha
Flat bread stuffed with onions, cilantro and spices and brushed with butter.
Paneer Naan
Flat bread stuffed with cottage cheese, cilantro, spices and brushed with butter.
Goat Cheese Naan
Flat bread stuffed with goat chees and spices and brushed with butter.
Cheese Pizza Naan
Flat bread stuffed with mozzarella cheese and spices and brushed with butter.
Peshawari Naan
Sweet flat bread stuffed with cashews, raisins, coconut and cherries and brushed with butter.
Assorted Naans
Assorted variety of plain naan, garlic naan and onion kulcha.
Tandoori Roti
Unleavened whole wheat flatbread brushed with butter.
Lachha Paratha
Multigrain flatbread made with butter.
Desserts
Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Rice cooked with milk, cashews, almonds, raisins and cardamom.
Gulab Jamun (3 Pieces)
Fried balls of a dough made from milk solids and semolina, soaked with an aromatic syrup spiced with green cardamom and rose water.
Gulab Jamun with Rabdi
Gulab jamuns served with delicious creamy sauce made with milk and cardamom.
Ras Malai
Soft cottage cheese patties served in creamy sauce topped with pistachios.
Falooda Kulfi
Delicious rose syrup flavored ice cream mixed with sabja seeds and topped with vermicelli.
Kesar (Saffron) Ice Cream
This ice cream is a treat for Saffron lovers. Pistachios and almonds make it even more delectable.
Mango Ice Cream
Ice cream with luscious creamy texture and rich flavor of mangoes.
Khoya Kulfi (1 Piece)
Traditional, sumptuous Indian frozen dessert made with milk, khoya evaporated milk solids and cardamom.
Side Dishes
Papad
Thin crisp wafer made of lentil flour, black peppers and other spices.
Plain Dahi
Plain yogurt.
Cucumber Raita
Popular North Indian side dish made with yogurt, grated cucumbers and carrots and spices.
Dahi Bhalla
Deep fried lentil fritters that are drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with spices and tamarind chutney.
Pachranga Achar
Indian mixed pickle.
Gobi & Gajar Achar
Indian cauliflower and carrot pickle.
Mint Chutney
Mango Chutney
Tamarind Chutney
Assorted Chutneys
Mint, mango and tamarind chutneys.
Desi Salad
Onions and chilies with slice of lemon.
Sambar
Side of sambar only.
Tikka Masala Sauce
Pav Only
Order of Pav only
Bhature Only
Order of 2 Pieces of Bhature.
Beverages
Mango Lassi
Sweet Lassi
Can of Coke
Can of Diet Coke
Can of Sprite
Can of Dr. Pepper
Bottled Water
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Recent Reviews
Place is legit. I was super skeptical. It’s really good. Only Indian food in town I can eat other than Homemade deliciousness from Mama Singh! You probably don’t know her or her sons and so you won’t get that. Lol. Here’s the only knock on this place. When you call it in they will tell you 30-40 min. It will likely be 1hr. Some folks might find this really annoying. It never bothered me much. The food is really good. Have tried several items here and everything was...
August 2025
Best food I've had in the Sacramento area. Had the coconut curry lamb. Curry was super tasty and well spiced. Meat was juicy and had it's own flavor separate from the curry. Onion naan was perfect and I couldn't believe how much bread one order was. Could not ask for more!
August 2025
Driving down the freeway from Bay Area to Sacramento sister found this place it’s a real gem. Don’t shy away because of the location or how it looks from outside.
It felt very homie inside everything for the appetizers to the nun bed and everyone’s on tree especially liked mine the Essence signature chicken lots of strong bold flavors. Elton helped us out very friendly. I would recommend one of the top Indian places I’ve been and my dad said it was...
It felt very homie inside everything for the appetizers to the nun bed and everyone’s on tree especially liked mine the Essence signature chicken lots of strong bold flavors. Elton helped us out very friendly. I would recommend one of the top Indian places I’ve been and my dad said it was...
August 2025
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