Nestled deep in the corner of the Wilde Lake Village Center is a hidden gem that is serving up amazing Indian cuisine. That gem is Curry & Kabob, which is an Indian Nepalese restaurant that has all your favorite classic Indian dishes as well as some Nepalese dishes too. When you walk into Curry & Kabob you’re greeted by a friendly staff and an ambiance that is quiet and charming.
I’ve visited this restaurant three times in the past month, that should tell you something about how good it is. I don’t think I’ve done this much field research on a restaurant other than Iron Age in Rockville.
The menu at Curry & Kabob is diverse and vast, which is not always a good thing, but when it comes to a carry-out restaurant it does offer the chance for everyone to be satisfied. Starting with the appetizers you have your choice of standard fare items like pakoras and samosas,but I would recommend two items specifically for you to try, both of which are delicious.
First is the paneer pakora which is you guessed it, fried paneer. Paneer is an Indian cheese that is fairly bland but often featured in Indian dishes like Mutter Paneer (it takes on other flavors very well). Pakora indicates that vegetable/protein is fried in gram flour (also known as chickpea flour). The paneer lends itself well to the pakora and serves as an excellent partner with a delicious rich sauce.
The paneer pakora is good, but the true star appetizer here and maybe my favorite thing on the menu are the Momo’s. Momo’s are traditional Nepalese dumplings that are filled with ground chicken and spices. They are…GOOD! The momo’s are delicate and steamed to perfection, they are also incredibly addictive. You’re served 10 of these and you could easily make this one of your meals it’s that good.
Moving on to the main dishes, there’s a wide array of options that you can pick from. Their classic Indian fare is both, rich and flavorful, which has been hard for me to find in other Indian restaurants in Howard County. The fan favorite Chicken Tikka Masala is rich and flavorful with a sauce that packs a punch. Meanwhile, the Mutter Paneer has an equally rich sauce that is filled with large chunks of paneer to go with the tasty sauce. You really cannot go wrong with this menu, other favorites of mine on this menu are the Chicken Saag and the Lamb Coconut.
If you prefer kabobs their tandoori specials are plentiful and juicy. I recommend the the Chicken Tikka Kabob, it’s flavorful seasoned with tandoori spices and marinated in a delicious yogurt sauce that leaves the chicken juicy, and satisfying. Get it with a side of naan and make a little wrap for yourself with some of the fresh chutneys served alongside it, it’ll be heavenly.
For the adventurous eaters, on the other side of the menu are some of the Nepali dishes, which are primarily a variety of small dishes (spiced potatoes, sauteed bok choy, spicy tomato chutney, and a turmeric rice mixture (not my favorite) with a serving of rice and a hot stew of either chicken or goat. I went with the Chicken Thali. The chicken stew is similar to other curries with chunks of bone-in chicken stewed in a spicy rich tomato sauce (minus any cream). You can opt to order the meal mild if spice is not your thing.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention their insanely cheap lunch buffet that has all the delicious things you crave at lunch time. For 10 bucks you can get endless Chicken Tikka Masala, fresh Biryani rice, and an array of other dishes you may not know to try when you’re ordering off of the main menu. The lunch buffet is a tremendous cheap eat, perfect for work lunch! You can ask for fresh bread as well with your meal, I highly recommend it as their naan is amazing.
One final thing I recommend getting with your meal is a Mango Lassi, mangoes are plentiful in Indian cuisine and the mark of a good restaurant is how rich their mango lassis are. The lassi at Curry and Kabob is heavenly, both sweet and rich it feels like your sipping on a delicious slice of heaven.
Overall for a dine in or carry-out Curry and Kabob is an excellent spot to satisfy your cravings for Indian food. As far as Indian restaurants in Howard County go, it’s my new favorite (Ananda’s specials and overall cuisine is better, but this is more craveable). Final Grade: A
