Namaste Brings Indian and Nepali Cuisine to Waikīkī’s Doorstep

Photo: Alexander Pang

You’ve probably passed by that McDonald’s across from the Ilikai Hotel a hundred times, but have you ever been inside Discovery Bay? The condo complex has a handful of restaurants and shops on the ground levels—including a tasty new stop for Indian curries and momo dumplings.

Namaste Indian & Nepalese Cuisine opened in the old Bombay Palace space last August, serving up a similar menu of Indian food but with new ownership, staff and a selection of Nepali cuisine. In the middle of Discovery Bay, it overlooks the crowds and cars on Ala Moana Boulevard. If you drive down Hobron Lane and turn onto Kaio‘o Drive, you’ll find a validated parking lot behind the building. Namaste’s validation will net you four hours, which is plenty of time to walk off a spicy and sating meal.

Photo: Alexander Pang

We sit down and are greeted by a familiar face: Kuber Gurung, owner of farmers market vendor Neha’s Kitchen. When Gurung isn’t cooking his own Nepali creations there, he oversees Namaste’s front-of-house. Meanwhile, Namaste owner Amrit Shrestha works the kitchen. Shrestha and Gurung met at the height of the pandemic while working together at Himalayan Kitchen. Their families hail from the same village in Nepal. While Indian food may be more familiar to the American palate, Shrestha and Gurung aim to bring the taste of Nepal to Hawai‘i as well.

The menu is expansive, and you can select the spice level of each dish: nearly a dozen appetizers from pani puri to samosas, chicken, lamb and shrimp curries, eight vegan entrées, eight vegetarian entrées, biryani rice dishes, tandoor barbecue plates, naan and even desserts like pista kulfi, a homemade pistachio ice cream. Thinking back, I wish we had left room for dessert, on the table and in our stomachs (both were 10 out of 10 full).

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We start off with a papadum ($3.99) and chicken jhol momo dumplings ($12.99). Papadum is a staple Indian snack, a shareable chickpea crisp that looks like a huge potato chip, served here with a zesty cilantro sauce that I can’t get enough of. The jhol momo dumplings, a Nepali dish, are one of Gurung’s specialties at Neha’s Kitchen. For him, this is the taste of home—chewy and comforting, ladled in a warm bowl of sesame-tomato broth.

Photo: Alexander Pang

Since my eyes are bigger than my stomach, we also order chicken tikka masala ($19.99), lamb coconut curry ($22.99), and dhaniya chicken curry ($19.99), each of which comes with a bowl of basmati rice. Of course, I have to order a mango lassi ($5.99) and garlic naan ($4.99) as well.

My dad has a theory that you can judge a Mexican restaurant on the quality of its guacamole. I’m not sure I buy the idea, but I do like to try the chicken tikka masala at every Indian restaurant I go to. This gives me a sense of a restaurant’s approach. Namaste’s tikka masala is sweet and smooth, and the chicken is pleasantly tender. In fact, the meat in all of the curries is cubed in tender bites. Given the number of Indian meals I’ve had where the meat is tough and overcooked, I appreciate the attention to protein.

Photo: Alexander Pang

The standout curry is a new one for me: dhaniya curry, recommended by Gurung. Dhaniya, or cilantro, anchors the flavor along with ginger and garlic. The cooked cilantro whets the appetite and adds a subtle, dark flavor that balances well with the bright curry. I spoon bite after bite onto my fluffy garlic naan, parsing out the compelling flavors. The mango lassi is thick (as is best) and full of fresh mango flavor. We eat until we no longer can, which is not a problem, as I’m always happy for curry leftovers.

Throughout the meal, as we chat, Gurung is cheerful and attentive. His eyes light up as he talks about the food of his hometown. He was the fine dining manager on the Star of Honolulu cruise, and he aims to contribute his service skills to Namaste to create the best representation of Nepali cuisine in Hawai‘i.

Namaste owner Amrit Shrestha in the middle. Photo: Alexander Pang

Gurung introduces Shrestha as his brother. Only halfway through our conversation do I learn that they are not related by blood—thousands of miles from home, fate and a shared love of hometown cooking brought them together. I’m just happy to enjoy the result.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday 5 to 9:30 p.m., 1778 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 941-5111, namasterestauranthi.com, @namastehnl