Tadka Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Honolulu

UPDATE: We went back again Wednesday, June 5th, and it was awful! We will never eat here again.

I got Lamb Biryani again, because it was good the first time, and it's a favorite of mine. This time it only consisted of rice, shredded carrots the size of grains of rice, and some overcooked tough chunks of lamb that were hard to chew. The seasoning was ok, but there was no trace of cilantro or mint on the lamb, no onions. The whole thing was dried out, as even the waitress noticed. I've eaten Biryani at at least a dozen restaurants and none of them were dried out rice and overcooked lamb. Although I complained, they never did anything about it. Didn't offer to give me something else, and didn't offer to take it off my bill. I ate about 1/2 cup, and brought the rest home so I could fix it. I added a little ghee, some cashews, raisins, and Biryani spices. By the way, other Indian restaurants I've eaten Biryani at include the cashews, raisins, and sometimes peas. Here's a description from another local Indian restaurant: Lamb Pieces Cooked With Curry Seasoned Basmati Rice, Cashew Nuts, Raisins And Peas.

We asked if they had a new chef, and the waitress said no, but suggested that we should try their new place, Cafe Tadka behind Walmart. This meal cost $75 for 2 of us, with an 18% tip, and we will not waste our money trying their 'new' place. This location hasn't even been here for a year, and has gone way downhill. November 2023 Although this restaurant has only been open for 3 weeks, the service and food is excellent. My friends took me here for my birthday lunch. We all love Indian food and have been to many Indian restaurants, both here in Honolulu and back East This rivals the best we've had anywhere. We look forward to returning soon.

Although this restaurant has only been open for 3 weeks, the service and food is excellent. My friends took me here for my birthday lunch. We all love Indian food and have been to many Indian restaurants, both here in Honolulu and back East This rivals the best we've had anywhere. We look forward to...

We called in ahead to confirm that they are serving food, they told us that it’s only walk in and they don’t take reservations over the phone, told them we’d be there in 15 mins. To our amazement, when we reached there (in 15 mins) @ 4:08, we saw a sign saying they’d be closed through 5 pm. Reminded them that they just told us to come and now asking to wait for 50 mins, with small kids in the party we asked them why the messaging wasn’t clear when we called. Chef came out and was reasonable in being apologetic and sake for 10 mins to clean up and promised to accommodate us given the miscommunication at their end. We waited outside for more than 30 mins and seeing no sign of them honoring what we were promised have to knock at their door only to be told they’d open @ 5 pm. Being lied on the face poorly reflects on this place’s work ethic. I called them out over phone while standing outside their door. Can’t trust such a place that can lie blatantly, can’t trust their food or anything! Honolulu being flocked by tourists (we being one too) such a mistreatment is unheard of, may be this place doesn’t care about customers as they believe in gaslighting customers. Regardless, beware of such places that are not trustworthy and will steamroll their customers. We gladly went to a nearby Indian restaurant!! Hope they amend their shameful attitude - we won’t...

Tadka Indian Cuisine Overall: * Highly Recommended * Food: ** Value: * Menu: ** Ambiance: * Service: ** Parking: * lots in front & underneath

After visiting Spice Indian cuisine about a month ago my two nephews, my wife and I went to Tadka Indian cuisine. We all agree that both restaurants are good and we recommended both. The Lamb Boti Kebab at Tadka was delicious and it was our favorite dish. The portion size was large and the price is reasonable. It was so good that we ordered a second round and devoured it. I recommend that you order it medium-rare, so it’s very tender and tasty. The curries and the garlic naan were also good.

Like Spice there will be a line after 6 PM, so come early. They are open from lunch through dinner, so you come in between, and you will find open tables.

RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER: Lamb Boti Kabab = A+ Garlic Naan = A Korma Curry w Lamb = B Samosa Chaat = B Vindaloo Curry w Chicken = B Pani Puri = C Onion Kulcha = C (order garlic naan)

Yelp: https://yelp.to/ALnno9Qc2E

INSTAGRAM: MiltonIn808 If you would like to see more restaurant reviews, ratings of each dish, my recommended order, and the complete video, follow me.

RATINGS KEY: A = Really Good - one of the best B = Good - would order again C = ok - similar, nothing special D = Not very good - wouldn’t order F =...