Curry Junction Joins the Arboretum’s Asian Food Hub

Chuda Dhimal was ahead of the culinary curve when he opened Curry Gate’s flagship location on West 24th Street, near Camp North End, in June 2020. As dining rooms across the city closed, he aced the to-go game, with a steady stream of customers who lined up for containers of fiery curries and fresh-baked naan. Curry Gate did so well during the pandemic that Dhimal opened a second location on South Boulevard in 2023. Diners continued to clamor for his Indian and Nepalese food, so in May, he added another eatery to his portfolio: a spin-off called Curry Junction at The Arboretum Shopping Center. 

The restaurant joins a growing Asian- food hub with neighbors that include Nusa, Joa Korean Food, Sushiya Japan Ramen & Sushi Bar, and Malaya Kitchen. Curry Junction occupies the former Akropolis Café space, which closed last fall after 30 years. Dhimal and his team transformed it into a bright, airy dining room with greige walls, natural-wood tables and booths, and metal dome pendant lights.

The restaurant is in the former Akropolis Café space at The Arboretum Shopping Center.

With so many nearby office parks, Curry Junction fills plenty of takeout orders during the lunch rush. Dine-in customers tend to linger longer in the evenings, and the staff regularly pushes tables together to accommodate big Indian and Nepalese families who’ve come for a taste of home. 

At dinner, servers bring a plate of chopped melon and avocado (or whatever produce is in season) to nibble while you peruse the menu. Starters include Manchow, a spicy soup available by the cup ($3) or bowl ($5). The Samosas ($7) are three savory, deep-fried pastries stuffed with spiced vegetables. For a dressier version, go for the Samosa Chaat ($13), a bowl of smashed samosas smothered in tamarind chutney, chickpeas, onion, cilantro, and mint.

An order of Samosas: three savory, deep-fried pastries stuffed with spiced vegetables.

The Nepalese side of the menu includes Chilli ($17), which is comparable to Korean fried chicken in Nepal. The bite-sized bits of fried chicken (or paneer, if you want to go meatless) are tossed with onion and bell pepper in a tangy chili sauce. Momos, dumplings common in northern India, come with your choice of vegetables ($11), chicken ($13), or chilli ($16). 

Curry dishes come with vegetables, chicken, paneer, goat, or lamb and can be customized to a spice level between 1 (mildest) to 10. If you’re new to Indian cuisine, start with Chicken Tikka Masala ($19). Packed with bold, bright spices, it’s the most popular Indian dish in both America and Britain. Chunks of Tandoori chicken are cooked in a rich, tomato-based gravy that you’ll want to soak up with naan (more on that to come). 

Chicken Makhani ($19) has a milder, slightly sweet flavor profile with just a hint of smokiness. Chicken Korma ($19) is a creamy coconut curry that’s rich and nutty, with punches of cardamom and cinnamon for added depth. If you want to dial up the spice, go for the Lamb Vindaloo ($20), with hunks of lamb and potato in a tongue-searing sauce. If you need to cut some of the heat, each dish comes with plenty of Basmati rice to mix into the curry.

The menu has nine varieties of Tandoori bread, ranging from Plain ($3) to Chilli Garlic ($5). Each order comes with six wedges of warm, Indian flatbread—and there’s no wrong move here. Garlic Naan ($3.50) is brushed with melted garlic butter; Keema Naan ($6) is stuffed with minced lamb. Consider these a vehicle for consuming your savory drippings—and don’t rule out ordering more to-go if you have leftover curry to bring home.

With Indian cuisine, it’s not just the spices that matter; it’s how they’re layered at different stages of the cooking process. Multiple spices don’t necessarily make a dish “spicy.” They create the vibrant colors on your plate and release the fragrances that invite you to the table—or takeout window. Either way, it’s the type of food worth waiting in line for.

Curry Junction
8200 Providence Road, Ste. 800
Hours:
11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday- Sunday
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
The restaurant has a kids menu, so feel free to bring the little ones.

TAYLOR BOWLER is the lifestyle editor.