Heard Tadka Indian Cuisine in Honolulu was the spot for cheap eats without skimping on flavor. Grabbed my notebook and headed downtown, hungry and skeptical. Portion sizes and prices here? Often a rip-off. Needed to see this “best value” for myself.
Walking In & The Plan
Lunch crowd was buzzing, good sign. Scanned the big menu on the wall – tons of options. Instead of just grabbing a combo plate, decided to pick strategically based on what looked hearty and what folks were actually eating around me. Goal: maximum taste, minimum cash spent.
The Picky Order
Walked up to the counter, menu memorized.
- Dal Soup ($4.50): Asked straight up if it was filling. Counter guy grinned, “Like a meal, boss.” Sold.
- Chana Masala ($10.95): Skipped the expensive butter chicken. Chickpeas are cheap, protein-packed, usually huge portions. Checked a plate walking by – bowl overflowing.
- Plain Naan ($2.95): Forget the fancy ones. Plain soaks up sauce best. Didn’t need rice stealing stomach space.
- Tap Water: Free. Obvious call.
Total damage: Under $19. Watched someone pay almost that for a single fancy curry entree elsewhere.
The Food Test
Sat down near the kitchen door.
- Dal Soup: Massive bowl! Thick, spiced lentils with chunks of tomato and onion. Spoon stands upright. Ate half already feeling full. Counter guy wasn’t lying.
- Chana Masala: Huge portion. Chickpeas tender, sauce rich and tangy-spicy. Perfect for scooping with…
- Naan: Fresh off the tandoor, puffy and charred just right. Tore it, dipped deep into the Chana Masala sauce. Sauce + naan is the real meal.
Ate slowly. Managed only half the Chana Masala and the whole naan. Soup bowl empty. Stuffed. Seriously stuffed.
The Value Verdict
Left carrying a takeout box packed with half the Chana Masala – dinner sorted. Under $19 fed me two full meals of legit, tasty Indian food. Saw folks paying double for similar amounts elsewhere downtown. Key picks:
- Soup Power: That dal soup is a secret weapon – cheap, huge, protein punch.
- Chickpeas Over Chicken: Chickpeas deliver flavor and substance way cheaper than meat curries.
- Naan > Rice: Way more satisfying sauce vehicle, filling.
- Focus on Fillers: Spiced lentils and beans do the heavy lifting. Meat’s the budget killer.
Proved the hype. You can eat incredibly well in Waikiki without getting wrecked financially. Just gotta pick like a local cheapskate who knows where the value hides.
