New York City — In the East Village, Bungalow, the newest endeavor by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, invites patrons on a heartwarming trip to India. Dedicated to his late sister, Radhika Khanna, who passed away in 2022, Chef Khanna mentions that her essence can be felt throughout the restaurant, from a welcoming photo at the entrance to the intricate details dispersed within the establishment.
Khanna shares that his aim is to pay homage to the origins of Indian cuisine while embracing creativity. “This cuisine is not our own; it has been passed down to us,” he commented, attributing its guardianship to everyone from street vendors to home cooks. “It’s important to include them and celebrate it, and also to add new dimensions. The goal is to keep it engaging and memorable.”
Elsewhere in the city, Chef Vijay Kumar of Semma is also transforming Indian cuisine. Honored as the Best New York City Restaurant 2025 by the New York Times, Semma focuses on regional southern Indian specialties like dosa and biryani.
“Our food is humble, yet deeply authentic,” Kumar explains. “Staying true to our spices, heat, and everything as we prepare it back home is crucial to us. But if someone asks whether our dishes can be beautiful, I’d say, why not?”
Bungalow is located at 24 First Ave., New York, NY 10009. Semma can be found at 60 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY 10011.
