A good friend of mine introduced me to this place back in 2013. I've never visited India but I sure enjoy all of their menu. Awesome. Like Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Italian, Korean.Anyone ever ate at Kim Chee II in Kaimuki that's local Korean slightly different from Sorbo on Keeaumoku.Visit Kim Chee II tell the big guy owner Jimmy I'll be visiting soon. Ahui hou
HG
I tried Chicken plate with a veggieChicken was totally bland and the rice was not cooked well at allPotato Mushroom was tasty though
al vin
great place, great food and great people! will come come back again when in the area.
Shayna K.
This dinky hole in the wall is the BOMB! So happy I found this place. It's so cheap and GOOOODDD! For Indian food that you don't have to stand in line for and can get hot on the spot. It's in the same parking lot where Sweet Home Cafe hot pot place used to be. Across the lot from Kozo Sushi. My son goes to the gym next door, Tactical Strength--that's how we stumbled upon it. It looks questionable but the dishes are super ono. The veggie curry is my FAVORITE. Their saffron rice is soooo yummy too. Plenty love for the family that owns my new favorite Indian joint!
Cheyenne F.
I'll update this review after tasting the food. As I order online through grub hub for takeout I guess the guy their said that they don't accept grub hub today to my boyfriend mind you I already paid online... and that guy has the option to accept my order so I was not understanding why he couldn't.... than they didn't have the coconut curry or the mixed veggie potato curry so I got spinach Dhal and something else hoping it tasted good..... as the service can be better I'm glad the guy was willing to accept my order even though... he had the choice to do that which is why it bothered me because he can choose to accept my order or not... anyways he let it go this time and accepted are order. How lovely, as for the food I will update after I try it.... hopefully it's better than the service I'f not I'm in for a disappointment Originally put two stars because of the service Tasted the food will say that the spicy mushroom curry was pretty good wish it was more spicy... The Kale was good! The rice needs flavor it was alright. I'll definitely try some other Indian restaurant in the future with better reviews and ratings! Like spicy house Indian food in Honolulu is what I'll try next
Sandra Matsumoto
Finally got a chance to try this restaurant and it did not disappoint! I tried their chicken masala and the spicy potato with mushrooms. SO good!!! Tasty and so delish!! I will be back again for this dish for sure!!
Mayank Patel
Such a stupid food and people. Don't know how to talk to customer.
B H.
Tucked in the middle of a strip of businesses called the Old Stadium Square in Moiliili is a takeout place that has hardy East Indian food. The building is perpendicular to Young and South King streets and you enter the one-way lane via Young Street. Parking runs along the lane and although it seems crowded at times, I've always found parking. The smell of curry wafts in the air as you enter this barebones restaurant with no sit-down seating. Behind the counter are about 8 vegetarian curries and one chicken masala. Most curries are vegan and gluten free. The price varies depending on whether you choose 1-3 curries and the chicken costs about dollar more. All plates come with a lovely basmati rice mixed with spices. The first couple of times I went for the 3 curries plate so I could eventually try all the curries. Premade Paratha (pan-fried flat bread) is heated in a skillet when you order it so that it's hot and crispy when you depart. Even reheated in a toaster or air fryer, it retains its crispy and soft texture. Sometimes it did have a little more oil on it which is easily taken care of with a dab of the napkin. My favorite curries are the coconut vegetable and the vegetable curry. The coconut vegetable is creamy and the vegetable curry has a lot of veggies in a red sauce. I like them so much I order them in one item containers. Shan, the young man behind the counter, sells them in 8 oz. ($5.50), 12 oz. ($8.50), 16 oz. ($11), 24 oz. ($17), and 32 oz. ($23) containers. The chicken masala would be a little more. Buying in these containers ensures several ono meals at home where you can make your own rice, add a salad, and heat up roti or samosas you bought from the India Market (about 2 blocks away). Once I ordered the stir-fry potato, the vegetable potato and tomato lentil. The two potato dishes were good, but maybe a little too much potato so now I chose one and save the other for another time. The only dish I don't care for is the kale which is a little bland but I must say off sets something that might be a little spicier like, I think, the eggplant and kidney beans. But the food is not spicy so no worries in that department.
Dante H.
I have memories of coming here as a child and being vaguely scared of the noise the refrigerators made and the warehouse-like interior. I also remember not wanting to eat anything but bread since all the food had vegetables in it. Amazingly, while the interior design is relatively unchanged, now that I eat vegetables and have a larger appreciation of Indian food, I'm much less scared of this place. I came maybe half an hour before closing and a few of the dishes were already gone. They have vegetarian options and chicken options available, and veg plates are a little cheaper. I think they generally have similar dishes day to day, but a few rotate out--like the decor, there's kind of a pan-south asian vibe to the menu. The rice is good, similar in texture to indispensable local japanese rice but more flavorful. The rice to curry ratio was a little heavy on the rice side, but that may have been because I got two parathas as well. The parathas aren't bad, they get the job done. I got two choices, the potato mushroom curry, and the eggplant kidney bean curry. I thought these went well with each other. The potatoes were soft and fluffy, and the mushrooms were tender and added a nice savoriness to offset the spicy and somewhat salty flavor of the sauce. This is the closest thing I've found to Aloo Dum in Honolulu, and it did help my craving a bit. If anyone knows where to get actual Aloo Dum on island, please let me know though! The eggplant kidney bean curry was more mild and creamy, with a more aromatic and almost stew-like flavor. The eggplant was very soft and the beans added a nice contrasting texture. For like $12 this is a steal, and the portions are probably enough for a meal plus a late night snack.
Sheila F
Food is SO Good mind blowing!! The best food I ever ate in Hawaii-Oau.. Definitely made with care reminds me of the foods I used to eat growing up..the best !! and the gentleman that works there he is very very nice even helped me with directions. Thank you I definitely recommend this restaurant to any Indian food lovers out there:)
It is small restaurant. My Experience was okay. We got curry and naan but he was told me that naan is frozen and he will oven it, I like honestly. But looks like due to COVID they had limited items.
Srinivas V.
Didn't deliver the food that was ordered and didn't bother to communicate. Very unhappy with the service.
Anita U
Delicious homemade Indian food, mostly vegan which is SO nice! Cheap prices! Literal hole-in-the-wall type place, don't be fooled... we're just visiting and had planned to eat elsewhere finding this spot just wandering around a nearby plaza. The smell was so good we changed our plans and it was lovely! Had a little of everything!
J R.
Favorite healthy lunch on the isle -- the food is light and fresh. When I dine here, I take the chance to take a break from meat and enjoy the wonders of Indian herbs and spices overlaid on fragrant veggies and rice. Sean, the guy who usually work here is a super chill dude with a good dose of the Aloha spirit. On my last visit we chewed the fat over our shared love for Lentil Dahl. He talked me into the Masala which really added a lot to the meal. This place has been around since 1987 and i bet they have barely raised the prices since then. Dirt cheap! The hours can be a little sketch (maybe due to Covid) If you planning on swinging by around closing time make sure and call first! Takeout only at this time but there is a park across the street with picnic tables for al fresco dining. Really a great spot
Lyla D.
Did you know Indian cuisine only accounts for 2% of the total ethnic food market in the United States? Thankfully, the demand for and availability of Regional Indian cuisines has been steadily growing because of more adventurous palates. Even on O'ahu, where there had been just 2 or 3 Indian restaurants, we now around 10 Indian/Nepalese restaurants to choose from. When our favorite Indian restaurant (Café Taj Mahal) sadly and permanently closed in 2020, we found two more restaurants (Kamana Indian Kitchen and Sarithra South Indian Restaurant) to take their place. I'd go as far as to mention the vegetarian buffet (Govinda's Buffet) and Kaka'ako's Ganesh Dosa that have filled in for when our bellies lead our minds. However, recently, while picking up lunch at the Old Stadium Square's Cocina de Roja and Shingen, I noticed the India Bazaar Madras Curry café. It's been a longtime tenant, since 1987, here. But then I realized that we've been into this store space years before when it was a natural foods store and had dined in sometime in the 90s. Well, it was like visiting an old friend when we walked into the café the other day. It was sadly down to bare bones because they're operating as TAKEOUT ONLY. There were no seating options, and there were hardly any decorations on the walls. We were greeted immediately by a male worker who was behind the service counter. There was COVID-19 health safety Plexiglas above the food display case where the food was kept at proper serving temperature. The male worker pointed out the two plate menu choices, which were either Vegetarian or Chicken. The prices varied if you selected one, two, or three items. Below is their current plate menu, which includes Yellow Rice. Vegetarian: 1 Veggie $7.50 2 Veggies $9.50 3 Veggies $11.00 Chicken: No Veggies $8.50 1 Veggie $10.50 2 Veggies $12.00 We selected Chicken Masala Plates. My husband picked the Eggplant Lentil as his one vegetable side for $10.50, and I chose the vegetarian Eggplant Tofu and Potato Stir-fry as my two vegetable sides. Just as a forewarning, if you select the $12 Chicken Plate, the chicken will be scooped atop your rice. So, if you don't like your rice in gravy, you might want to ask to have the chicken served separately. As the employee cashed us out and handed us our plates, we remarked how wrist-bending heavy the package was. We were trying to be careful not to spill the vegetable side dishes because the sauces were so soupy. Dang it to that impatient driver who cut in front of us at the corner of Beretania and Keeaumoku Streets! The food was tasty and very mildly spiced. I will say the portions were huge for the price, and we'd return for take-out. I'm not sure if it's because they're currently only serving takeout, but their menu is VERY LIMITED to either chicken or vegetables. Also, I don't know if they change up the chicken preparations from masala to korma to curry OR if they change their vegetable selections. But, I guess that just means we'll have to return to find out what changes, if any, they'll put on their menu.
A good friend of mine introduced me to this place back in 2013. I've never visited India but I sure enjoy all of their menu. Awesome. Like Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Italian, Korean.Anyone ever ate at Kim Chee II in Kaimuki that's local Korean slightly different from Sorbo on Keeaumoku.Visit Kim Chee II tell the big guy owner Jimmy I'll be visiting soon. Ahui hou
I tried Chicken plate with a veggieChicken was totally bland and the rice was not cooked well at allPotato Mushroom was tasty though
great place, great food and great people! will come come back again when in the area.
This dinky hole in the wall is the BOMB! So happy I found this place. It's so cheap and GOOOODDD! For Indian food that you don't have to stand in line for and can get hot on the spot. It's in the same parking lot where Sweet Home Cafe hot pot place used to be. Across the lot from Kozo Sushi. My son goes to the gym next door, Tactical Strength--that's how we stumbled upon it. It looks questionable but the dishes are super ono. The veggie curry is my FAVORITE. Their saffron rice is soooo yummy too. Plenty love for the family that owns my new favorite Indian joint!
I'll update this review after tasting the food. As I order online through grub hub for takeout I guess the guy their said that they don't accept grub hub today to my boyfriend mind you I already paid online... and that guy has the option to accept my order so I was not understanding why he couldn't.... than they didn't have the coconut curry or the mixed veggie potato curry so I got spinach Dhal and something else hoping it tasted good..... as the service can be better I'm glad the guy was willing to accept my order even though... he had the choice to do that which is why it bothered me because he can choose to accept my order or not... anyways he let it go this time and accepted are order. How lovely, as for the food I will update after I try it.... hopefully it's better than the service I'f not I'm in for a disappointment Originally put two stars because of the service Tasted the food will say that the spicy mushroom curry was pretty good wish it was more spicy... The Kale was good! The rice needs flavor it was alright. I'll definitely try some other Indian restaurant in the future with better reviews and ratings! Like spicy house Indian food in Honolulu is what I'll try next
Finally got a chance to try this restaurant and it did not disappoint! I tried their chicken masala and the spicy potato with mushrooms. SO good!!! Tasty and so delish!! I will be back again for this dish for sure!!
Such a stupid food and people. Don't know how to talk to customer.
Tucked in the middle of a strip of businesses called the Old Stadium Square in Moiliili is a takeout place that has hardy East Indian food. The building is perpendicular to Young and South King streets and you enter the one-way lane via Young Street. Parking runs along the lane and although it seems crowded at times, I've always found parking. The smell of curry wafts in the air as you enter this barebones restaurant with no sit-down seating. Behind the counter are about 8 vegetarian curries and one chicken masala. Most curries are vegan and gluten free. The price varies depending on whether you choose 1-3 curries and the chicken costs about dollar more. All plates come with a lovely basmati rice mixed with spices. The first couple of times I went for the 3 curries plate so I could eventually try all the curries. Premade Paratha (pan-fried flat bread) is heated in a skillet when you order it so that it's hot and crispy when you depart. Even reheated in a toaster or air fryer, it retains its crispy and soft texture. Sometimes it did have a little more oil on it which is easily taken care of with a dab of the napkin. My favorite curries are the coconut vegetable and the vegetable curry. The coconut vegetable is creamy and the vegetable curry has a lot of veggies in a red sauce. I like them so much I order them in one item containers. Shan, the young man behind the counter, sells them in 8 oz. ($5.50), 12 oz. ($8.50), 16 oz. ($11), 24 oz. ($17), and 32 oz. ($23) containers. The chicken masala would be a little more. Buying in these containers ensures several ono meals at home where you can make your own rice, add a salad, and heat up roti or samosas you bought from the India Market (about 2 blocks away). Once I ordered the stir-fry potato, the vegetable potato and tomato lentil. The two potato dishes were good, but maybe a little too much potato so now I chose one and save the other for another time. The only dish I don't care for is the kale which is a little bland but I must say off sets something that might be a little spicier like, I think, the eggplant and kidney beans. But the food is not spicy so no worries in that department.
I have memories of coming here as a child and being vaguely scared of the noise the refrigerators made and the warehouse-like interior. I also remember not wanting to eat anything but bread since all the food had vegetables in it. Amazingly, while the interior design is relatively unchanged, now that I eat vegetables and have a larger appreciation of Indian food, I'm much less scared of this place. I came maybe half an hour before closing and a few of the dishes were already gone. They have vegetarian options and chicken options available, and veg plates are a little cheaper. I think they generally have similar dishes day to day, but a few rotate out--like the decor, there's kind of a pan-south asian vibe to the menu. The rice is good, similar in texture to indispensable local japanese rice but more flavorful. The rice to curry ratio was a little heavy on the rice side, but that may have been because I got two parathas as well. The parathas aren't bad, they get the job done. I got two choices, the potato mushroom curry, and the eggplant kidney bean curry. I thought these went well with each other. The potatoes were soft and fluffy, and the mushrooms were tender and added a nice savoriness to offset the spicy and somewhat salty flavor of the sauce. This is the closest thing I've found to Aloo Dum in Honolulu, and it did help my craving a bit. If anyone knows where to get actual Aloo Dum on island, please let me know though! The eggplant kidney bean curry was more mild and creamy, with a more aromatic and almost stew-like flavor. The eggplant was very soft and the beans added a nice contrasting texture. For like $12 this is a steal, and the portions are probably enough for a meal plus a late night snack.
Food is SO Good mind blowing!! The best food I ever ate in Hawaii-Oau.. Definitely made with care reminds me of the foods I used to eat growing up..the best !! and the gentleman that works there he is very very nice even helped me with directions. Thank you I definitely recommend this restaurant to any Indian food lovers out there:)
Restaurantji Recommends
It is small restaurant. My Experience was okay. We got curry and naan but he was told me that naan is frozen and he will oven it, I like honestly. But looks like due to COVID they had limited items.
Didn't deliver the food that was ordered and didn't bother to communicate. Very unhappy with the service.
Delicious homemade Indian food, mostly vegan which is SO nice! Cheap prices! Literal hole-in-the-wall type place, don't be fooled... we're just visiting and had planned to eat elsewhere finding this spot just wandering around a nearby plaza. The smell was so good we changed our plans and it was lovely! Had a little of everything!
Favorite healthy lunch on the isle -- the food is light and fresh. When I dine here, I take the chance to take a break from meat and enjoy the wonders of Indian herbs and spices overlaid on fragrant veggies and rice. Sean, the guy who usually work here is a super chill dude with a good dose of the Aloha spirit. On my last visit we chewed the fat over our shared love for Lentil Dahl. He talked me into the Masala which really added a lot to the meal. This place has been around since 1987 and i bet they have barely raised the prices since then. Dirt cheap! The hours can be a little sketch (maybe due to Covid) If you planning on swinging by around closing time make sure and call first! Takeout only at this time but there is a park across the street with picnic tables for al fresco dining. Really a great spot
Did you know Indian cuisine only accounts for 2% of the total ethnic food market in the United States? Thankfully, the demand for and availability of Regional Indian cuisines has been steadily growing because of more adventurous palates. Even on O'ahu, where there had been just 2 or 3 Indian restaurants, we now around 10 Indian/Nepalese restaurants to choose from. When our favorite Indian restaurant (Café Taj Mahal) sadly and permanently closed in 2020, we found two more restaurants (Kamana Indian Kitchen and Sarithra South Indian Restaurant) to take their place. I'd go as far as to mention the vegetarian buffet (Govinda's Buffet) and Kaka'ako's Ganesh Dosa that have filled in for when our bellies lead our minds. However, recently, while picking up lunch at the Old Stadium Square's Cocina de Roja and Shingen, I noticed the India Bazaar Madras Curry café. It's been a longtime tenant, since 1987, here. But then I realized that we've been into this store space years before when it was a natural foods store and had dined in sometime in the 90s. Well, it was like visiting an old friend when we walked into the café the other day. It was sadly down to bare bones because they're operating as TAKEOUT ONLY. There were no seating options, and there were hardly any decorations on the walls. We were greeted immediately by a male worker who was behind the service counter. There was COVID-19 health safety Plexiglas above the food display case where the food was kept at proper serving temperature. The male worker pointed out the two plate menu choices, which were either Vegetarian or Chicken. The prices varied if you selected one, two, or three items. Below is their current plate menu, which includes Yellow Rice. Vegetarian: 1 Veggie $7.50 2 Veggies $9.50 3 Veggies $11.00 Chicken: No Veggies $8.50 1 Veggie $10.50 2 Veggies $12.00 We selected Chicken Masala Plates. My husband picked the Eggplant Lentil as his one vegetable side for $10.50, and I chose the vegetarian Eggplant Tofu and Potato Stir-fry as my two vegetable sides. Just as a forewarning, if you select the $12 Chicken Plate, the chicken will be scooped atop your rice. So, if you don't like your rice in gravy, you might want to ask to have the chicken served separately. As the employee cashed us out and handed us our plates, we remarked how wrist-bending heavy the package was. We were trying to be careful not to spill the vegetable side dishes because the sauces were so soupy. Dang it to that impatient driver who cut in front of us at the corner of Beretania and Keeaumoku Streets! The food was tasty and very mildly spiced. I will say the portions were huge for the price, and we'd return for take-out. I'm not sure if it's because they're currently only serving takeout, but their menu is VERY LIMITED to either chicken or vegetables. Also, I don't know if they change up the chicken preparations from masala to korma to curry OR if they change their vegetable selections. But, I guess that just means we'll have to return to find out what changes, if any, they'll put on their menu.