The fact that India House ended up in Wenatchee at all was a twist of fate. Manoj Kumar and his wife Deepika Dhawan (D.D.) at first planned to open an Indian restaurant in Yakima. However, they took a wrong turn on a dark night and ended up having to stay overnight in Wenatchee. The next morning they went looking for chai tea and made two discoveries: Wenatchee didn’t have an Indian restaurant, and there was a space downtown that would be perfect for that kind of endeavor. That space has now been India House’s home for more than five and a half years.T
ogether with her husband Manoj Kumar, chef and co owner Deepika Dhawan (D.D.) has created a delicious and authentic Indian food option in Wenatchee that’s also accessible to diners with food sensitivities and restrictions. As an added bonus for diners, most of the restaurant’s menu is gluten free; many options are vegetarian, and dairy free is also available.The Indian restaurant offers fare from the Punjab region of India, known for its delicious dishes and agriculture.“Indian food is comprised of six basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent,” writes D.D. in an introduction on their menu. “A well-balanced Indian meal contains many of these flavors. This principle explains the use of numerous spice combinations and depth of flavor. I hope you enjoy this tour of flavors and colors.”
Even with the added responsibility of preparing dishes for a restaurant, D.D. still loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen. She cooks for her family on a daily basis, and works to make sure the food at India House is varied and appealing. D.D. learned to cook from her father and uses her own recipes for the restaurant. She revels in finding the best mix of spices for the food, including cardamom, ginger, turmeric and garlic. Much of her food is tandoori style, which is typically cooked in a clay oven.“The food is delicious and presented wonderfully,” says diner Tom Overcast. “The service is impeccable -- attentive without being hovering. On top of all of that, I think the prices are more than reasonable. The lunch buffet alone is worth the trip. All in all, I think it is one of the best restaurants in Wenatchee.”
India House has an extensive menu – nearly eight full pages – plus there’s a buffet option available as well. Their location on Wenatchee Avenue makes them a popular spot for downtown shoppers and employees of local businesses alike, looking for a quick and healthy meal.India House will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve, but will be closed Christmas Day. However, they will be hosting a special Christmas buffet on December 21, 2018 the Friday before Christmas this year. There will be specialties the entire day, and a special dinner buffet will be available from 5 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Dishes will include chicken, goat, lamb, shrimp, gourmet vegetarian options and much more.India House’s regular hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more, go to https://www.indiahousewenatchee.com/