Global Menu
Neha's Kitchen | Aloha German Bakery | Khao & Papas
If you think Honolulu's culinary scene is still defined by poke, loco moco, and Asian cuisine, think again. A growing collection of farmers' markets and food trucks has given rise to new establishments serving up Argentinian barbecued meats, Lebanese za'atar flatbread, Sri Lankan curry, and more. Here are three of them in detail; check their Instagram for the latest schedules.
ISanskrit, Neha It means love, and it was the middle name Coover and Leilani Gurung gave their daughter, a combination of his birthplace, Nepal, and hers, Hawaii, so when Gurung opened a Nepalese restaurant in Oahu's Leeward neighborhood last year, Neha was the name for it, too.
Kubel Gurung
Kubel Grun. Photo: Olivier Koning
Neha's Kitchen primarily pops up at farmers markets, but schedules are subject to change. They're at the Mahiku Farmers Market in Ewa Beach on Wednesdays, Ono Grindz and Mākeke on select Thursdays, What the Truck in Waikele on Fridays, and the Waianae Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Their menu of momo dumplings, samosas, curries, Nepalese fried noodles, and lal mohan (deep-fried cheese balls in rosewater and sugarcane syrup) is a love letter to the Terai. The lowlands and savannah region that surrounds Nepal's southern border is Gurung's homeland. From there, the terrain gives way to rolling hills and the Himalayas, leading to Everest, the tallest mountain on earth. Gurung describes all this when I ask about the curry, which tastes unlike any I've ever had.
Momo dumplings. Photo: Olivier Koning
“My curries are Terai style,” he says. “Whenever I go to Nepal, the first thing I crave is the food from back home. Dinner and lunch made by my sisters and mother: mixed vegetable curry, lentil soup, sautéed vegetables and three achars (pickles). When I go to Nepal, I gain weight.”
Terai-style chicken curry with basmati rice from Neha's Kitchen. Photo: Olivier Koning
And his beef curry? Gurung starts by frying nigella, anise, fenugreek and fennel seeds until fragrant. He adds onions, beef, turmeric and salt, ginger-garlic paste, his own masala of cumin, coriander and chilli, and finally tomatoes, which must be completely dissolved. The curry, which is simmered for up to four hours, is a glossy red-brown sauce with chunks of meat. He uses Terai buffalo if it's available, but says beef is tender, aromatic and mouthwatering.
Photo: Olivier Koning
If this sounds similar to Indian food, keep that to yourself. “As a Nepalese, it's very important for me to showcase my country and its cuisine. Nepal is a beautiful country and it is often overshadowed by two giants – India and China,” says Gurung. “I respect India and I respect China, but I don't want Nepali food to be called Indian-Chinese food. Nepali food is Nepali food.”
Nepali Food 808
Ono Grints and Makeke on Ewa Beach on Thursday evening. Photo: Olivier Koning
These vendors are serving up dishes you won't often find in Honolulu's brick-and-mortar restaurants, so check out each vendor's Instagram for the latest updates on what they're serving and where.
Asia
Ama's Gua BaoTaiwanese-style steamed buns stuffed with pork belly, seasoned chicken, tofu, etc. translator
Nacirema HI—Coconut rice with galangal fried chicken, beef rendang and vegan curry. Nasirmaki
Europe
A little sparrowGerman spaetzle noodles sautéed in a flavorful sauce with cheese, garlic shrimp, and Jägerschnitzel pork cutlets. Follow
PermeskiEastern European permeski and pierogi street food dumplings. Permeshki
Indian
Curry MasterSri Lankan/South Indian dishes such as turmeric rice meatball curry, curry naan wich, and kuttu roti flatbread. translation:
Just have fun—Pani puri, dosa and other south indian dishes. Follow
Latin
Aloha AlfajoresArgentinian cookies made with honey, nuts and dulce de leche. About This Site, Follow
El GalloAnticuchos, salchipapa, picarones, butternut squash doughnuts, and other Peruvian street foods. Hawaii
Guaycheri empanadasVenezuelan empanadas stuffed with cheese, chorizo and sweet potato. Follow
GuayaquilCuban sandwich. @guaya.emp
Mar del PlataArgentinian grilled steak sandwich and sausage sandwich with chimichurri. Follow
Nosh—Pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese bread. Nosh Hawaii
Papi's EmpanadasArgentinian empanadas stuffed with crab, chicken, corn, etc. Follow
Rico Rico Chicken—Peruvian rotisserie chicken. Ricco Ricco
middle east
Mara BMiddle Eastern rosewater cup dessert. Malabe Life
Saj Beirut —Lebanese desserts and flatbreads topped with or rolled with za'atar or minced lamb. Follow
Pacific
4rm scrunch—Samoan dishes such as pagi popo, puligi and pispo. Follow
Pelefoti Island Fix—Samoan drinks and dishes such as vai-fala, poi-fai and panikeke. Follow
