I happened to come across this place while I was in Hayward. I don't usually come to Hayward, but ever since I found this family-owned Nepali and Indian restaurant, I keep coming back. The buffet has a great variety, but the Dal Tadka is what keeps me coming back. It's simple, comforting, and full of flavor without being overly spicy or loaded with masala. The food is easy on the stomach, and before you know it, you're craving it again. The hospitality is just as good as the food. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, and it has that family-run feel that makes you want to come back. If you're looking for a Nepali and Indian buffet with fresh, flavorful food that isn't overly spicy or heavy, this place is definitely worth checking out. read more

There were a good 4 or 5 solid Indian buffets in Hayward for as long as I can remember. And this is not event counting the dozens of buffets in Fremont and the South Bay. All that changed with the pandemic. Quite a few Indian restaurants have tried to bring back the buffets but for a good one you still need to travel to the south bay. So it was a surprise to find out about this place serving a daily lunch and a weekend dinner buffet! I called ahead to get an idea of what they serve and it seemed like a good deal for $20 a person. I also liked that they had equal vegetarian and non vegetarian items so husband who is currently not eating meat could have some options. The buffet itself is small but there are enough and more options for any kind of craving. Two vegetarian appetizers. A lentil (dal), and a legume potato dish. A goat curry, a chicken curry and tandoori chicken . Indo Chinese offerings of vegetarian fried rice and noodles and one paneer and one chicken entree. White rice in addition to the fried rice, and naan brought to the table. Two desserts, chai for post dinner. And the piece de resistance- the momos !! Both in veg and chicken. Service was quick and friendly and all the dishes in the buffet tasted fresh because they made them in small batches as needed. The place itself is no frills and simple but seating is plenty. I don't know if we will ever go back to pre pandemic buffet levels, but for now we have this decent Indian buffet right here in Hayward. read more

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Went there for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the $19.99 buffet. It included vegetarian momos (so good) and chicken momos, served outside from a steamy pan. Buffet included multiple items such as butter chicken, barbecue chicken, Chana dal, garbanzo curry, paneer and goat curry. There were also two types of rice, veg chow mein ( yummy), crispy spring rolls, pakora, two types of desserts ( kheer and gulab jamun) and bonus chai. Everything was fresh and delicious. Customer service was friendly and very interactive. She explained about the buffet and brought out hot fresh buttered naans. There were thin, fresh and very soft. Totally worth it. read more

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We came here on a Friday night and were the first once's in the restaurant. They had a Buffett for $19.99 per person that we did, and it ended up being a great choice. They offer a weekday lunch buffet and a weekend dinner buffet. Most people who walked in were like us, not expecting a buffet but agreeing with it -- seemed like everyone who went with the buffet enjoyed it as well. The buffet came with momos (which were served outside and options were veggie and also chicken momos), curries, masalas, fried rice and white rice, egg rolls, pakoras, a salad bar, grilled chicken, dessert, chai tea, etc. You could also ask for naan. We were pleasantly surprised at the buffet options and also really liked everything we tried. It was quite delicious and everything was also clean and clearly labeled. We would definitely come back and recommend the buffet to others. read more

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Great food choices, we didnt do buffet although it was an option. More vegetarian options via menu. service was excellent! def coming back here read more

My wife and I have been wanting to try Gurkha for a while now. The afternoon we went there was a protest at City hall so we found parking and walked over. Kids from Hayward High and Bret Hart were out there protesting ICE. The place was cozy and we sat in the back room since it was pretty busy for lunch. Staff was attentive and we ordered off the menu. We got Thakali Thali veg, Chicken Momo, Chicken Tikka Kaba, Roti and Garlic naan. Everything was wonderful and the complimentary chai was a nice touch. They also have a patio so we will come back with our doggy. read more

It was delicious!! Best Indian buffet I've ever had, I loved the pani poori and the butter chicken. Ugh absolutely delicious!

We came here for dinner on a Monday night and had a great experience! The food was delicious, the service was friendly, and space was pleasant. Our family of 3 shared the following: 1) Chicken momos - delicious 2) Pahadi chicken curry- very good; my 7 year old daughter loved this 3) Mixed vegetable curry - flavorful 4) Naan - good 5) Tandoori roti - good The food came out quickly and the staff was attentive and warm. I only wish they had cleared away empty dishes without us asking. The restaurant was clean and welcoming (though we could have done without the Nepali music videos playing on the TV in the background). Overall, we really enjoyed the food here and look forward to returning! read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - CHICKEN MOMO - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Everything looked and tasted homemade--in the best way. The hubby and I were looking for a quick place for dinner on the way out of town and this place had some of the best ratings in the area. Plus, we are always down for Indian food! It wasn't very crowded at all when we stepped in, as it was still pretty early, so no problems getting a table. The interior was clean and pleasant, but decidedly untrendy. We ordered the following: - Veg momo (steamed veg dumplings served with a creamy spicy sauce) - Dal Tadka (yellow lentil curry) - Paneer Tikka Masala (sweet red curry with cheese cubes) - Saag Paneer (puréed spinach curry with cheese cubes) - Basmati rice We enjoyed everything, but the portions seemed a bit on the small side. There was free chai, however (piping hot)! Pleasant service too--overall a good deal. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - VEG MOMO - delicious, with an exceptional sauce. - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

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I highly recommend treating yourself to this flavorful experience. We went in for the weekend (Friday) buffet, and it was a tremendous value, and the food quality was second to none. I loved everything about the restaurant, it has a nice outdoor patio if it gets crowded and a separate back room if needed. The ambiance was really nice and inviting. The staff were very attentive, polite, and friendly. This was our first time in and we left feeling like family. The restaurant was clean which is always appreciated and parking was safe and easy. The Momos were really good and I will be coming back here again very soon! read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Buffet options included this selection and many more! - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

We tried chicken momos, chili chicken momos, and veg chowmein -- everything hit the spot. Flavorful, well-seasoned, and satisfying. Nothing felt greasy or overdone, which I appreciate. The interior has more of a takeout vibe than a dine-in one, and service was a bit slow and checked out -- though to be fair, we walked in close to closing time, so that could explain it. Would go back, but probably for takeout next time. The food is worth it. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - VEG CHOWMEIN - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

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Mr. M and I intended to check out a different new restaurant in downtown Hayward the other night. We parked at the library parking lot, and were waiting for the light to walk across Mission, when we both noticed an enticing fragrance of curry coming from the other direction. We looked at each other with wide eyes, and decided to follow our noses. We found The Gurkha Kitchen, and came in to look at the menu. It's a small, casual atmosphere. We are not buffet fans, but wanted to try some different things, so signed up for the buffet. Everything we tried was delicous, and the staff was friendly. We will definitely be back. 4.5 stars read more

Little tiny place but the food is excellent. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of Indian food but I loved the variety of this place and there was something for everyone. I loved the fried lentil bean balls (falafel?) and the fried spinach (lol, maybe it's the wrong names) but it was good! Once you find the sauce that you like from the dishes then you can just use that sauce for dipping your naan or the falafels! My favorite dish by far was the fish curry, which was lightly battered and the fish was nice and flakey, not hard and dry. The butter chicken was tender and had a great sauce that I used for dipping my naan and falafels. The tandoori chicken was also very tender! I was surprised at the quality considering it was a buffet. Was expecting dried foods but it was surprisingly good! And you definitely can't beat the weekday price! As a buffet, they pretty much leave you alone so the service was fine. I was looking self serve to refill my glass of water but she was nice enough to walk over with the pitcher to refill our glasses. Loved it for the variety so I think I want to bring my friend who loves Indian food to the Sunnyvale location. Let's hope the quality is consistent! read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - garlic naan - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

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Stumbled upon this place after visiting the farmers market on Saturday morning. We were lured in by the $16.99 buffet sign and saw they had good ratings on Google, so we decided to try it out. Why not, right? For the price, this place is a steal! They had a pretty wide selection of both vegetarian and meat options. Some of my favorites from the spread include the eggplant curry, goat curry, butter chicken and pakoras. They also had an outdoor station with veggie and chicken momos and pani puri - weekend only and a server helps you out here. There's also piping hot chai and desserts available, as well as a chutney bar on the side of the buffet. They bring you fresh naan once you sit down at your table. Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch here and would come back again! They also have an a la carte menu if buffets aren't your thing. read more

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I re downloaded yelp just to leave this review. At this stage in my life, I am vegetarian. I can't believe I didn't know about this place until today. The cost of the buffet is so affordable by Bay Area standards, or even including Sacramento. The paneer is very very tasty, and are huge solid cubes of goat cheese. The dal tadka, though watery, is full of flavor for dal, just the right amount without being overdone. There are also some meat options for meat eaters. Very prompt water refills. I very highly recommend this place. read more

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This updated review is solely based on the lunch buffet. I went with a coworker and was very apprehensive going back since my previous experience here was terrible. I stayed open minded and glad I did. The lunch buffet had a decent amount of options and I liked that it had a couple different proteins along with hot chai tea. The price is pretty decent for the food and being able to get more than one plate. I'd come back for the lunch buffet. read more

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We went for the dinner buffet on Sunday night. It was sooo good. Solid selection, not huge but they had all the favorites including butter chicken, dal, tandoori chicken, saag paneer ect. They also had mom, and rice pudding and gulab jamun for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious. The service was also great for clearing plates and refilling naan. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Dinner buffet (momo and dessert no pictured) - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

Came in for their weekly lunch special and enjoyed it a lot! They had a great selection of meat & veggie options. The food was kept warm & fresh too. The cashier was super sweet and provided awesome customer service too. For a 15.00 per person lunch buffet, you really can't beat that price for the quantity/quality of the food Gurkha Kitchen provides :-). I'll def be back to try out their regular dishes for dinner. read more

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The food here is delicious. We have ordered multiple times and had great food! I have to update my review, to warn being duped about the "deals"...such a shame! Uber eats gave a "buy one get one free" for curry chicken. It's was $18, but then when I went to order it and the cart automatically gave me 2, and I added $3.40 for a side of rice, the cart updated to $25! The math did not work out, but I ordered it anyway. Then it arrived with no rice! That was a mistake, and I'm ok with that...mistakes happen. But what I'm not ok with, they just took one chicken curry dinner and split it into 2, for the "buy one get one free"! I always eat about half what they give and the rest for leftovers, so I know their portion sizes. It was such a rip off! I paid more for less...just so wrong. read more

I had a pretty unpleasant experience here. I ordered food for pickup and was waiting in the dining area when I saw one of the employees reach directly into the salad bar with his bare hands, grab a cucumber/pickle, and eat it. It was completely unhygienic and honestly shocking to watch. When I made eye contact with him, he didn't seem concerned at all and just walked out through the side door. Seeing that level of disregard for basic food safety made me seriously question the cleanliness of this place. I won't be coming back. . read more

Visited on July 21: super late review but excellent customer service from the waiter. Plenty of options of the menu and the waiter was very helpful with selecting items on the menu. I ordered the Butter chicken and a side of rice. So much chicken I had leftovers! Definitely would come back to try a different dish. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

What a wonderful addition to DT Hayward: -Indian/Nepali cuisine -free chai! Unsweetened - self serve -be aware of spice levels and let them know if you prefer mild or none -chana chatpatay - generous, aromatic and packed some heat! -buffalo momo - handmade and juicy -loved the goat thali, all the variety I crave, fresh and flavorful -service was warm and genuine - described the menu and was very interactive with us throughout the meal -loved the inviting interior and the tv screen with Nepalese vistas, paintings and artwork added to the authenticity They also have lunch specials on the board outside and a separate menu. Freshly made food and reasonable pricing! On my Hayward short list! read more

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Amazing food! I was in for a quick lunch break and realize it was during Buffet lunch hour! They were very friendly and so kind-- it's worth coming back to. Oh and their naan is really yummy :) read more

Nepali restaurant offers a great weekend buffet at $19.99 with an impressive spread. The highlight? Their chicken momos were steaming hot, flavorful, and easily the best I've had in a long time. Worth every penny! read more

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2 dollar signs? Uh no. 1 $ sign. Lunch buffet was 17 and dinner is still less than $20 for amazing food! I didn't even get to try everything because I got too full but I tried: pakora, rice, tandoori, momo, puri, naan, tandoor,gulab jamun, mango pudding, butter chicken, cilantro chutney, tamarind chutney, aloo gobi and keema. See that mountain of food I listed up there? Well there were so many more options! The momo, tamarind chutney, and butter chicken definitely stood out. But my dining companion had thirds of the gulab jamun so ya know..to each their own and this is the kind of place where there is so much variety that nobody could be unhappy. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

Pleasant service and really a family place for dinner and their top dishes in buffed for $20/pp cash! Can't top that

I ordered some veg pakoras and a veg biryani. The pakoras were lumpy and dumpy with the inside being a little raw! Flavor wise they were bland but the texture was all wrong. If the cooks want to know how pakoras should be cooked, take a trip to Mylapore Restaurant and order their pakoras. The biryani was meh...rice and some veggies but mostly cauliflower and little else. They completely skipped over the aromatics....there was not a hint of cardamom, cinnamon or cloves. Seems like a lazy attempt at making food. I would have expected a lot better from a South Asian restaurant that is called Gurkha Kitchen. The service was friendly. read more

Wow! Totally unexpected! Came here as a Yelp recommendation for the area I was in. The food was SO delicious! We ordered the lunch menu: non vegetable combo with tikka masala, vegetable mixed veg combo, and Chicken momo appetizer. Everything was so flavorable! Chicken was very tender! We met the owner, Narayan, and he was very helpful with what to order! read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - The owner, Narayan, in the green tshirt. Hubby to the left! - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

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It looks like starting in March, Gurkha Kitchen now offers a daily lunch buffet! We couldn't resist checking it out so, at the risk of baby tantrums, we took a chance and brought the twins for a weekend lunch. Rating Breakdown: 2/2 Stars for Taste -- They have the full variety of standard Indian buffet fare and a few additional Nepali items besides. For vegetarian options, they had spinach pakora, veggie croquette, eggplant curry, daal, and kidney bean curry. For meat options, they had fish pakora, chicken tikka masala, and goat curry. You could pair these with white or mint(?) rice as well as made-to-order naan, not to mention a variety of chutneys. We were surprised that there was also a server making momos and pani puri outside. The feast was rounded off with a dessert of gulab jamun and a sweet creamy vermicelli. Everything was very tasty and they didn't skimp on the protein in the curries. Unlike some other buffets, the food wasn't overly salty, in fact I would say the flavors here are more on the mild side. My only very minor complaint is that the cups for the complimentary chai are ridiculously small, although I suspect this is because the chai is so delicious, they need to slow down consumption so they can keep it replenished. 1/1 Stars for Value -- At $14.99 for all this, the price is ridiculous. One reason I knew I needed to go IMMEDIATELY was because there is no way this price can continue. What a steal! 1/1 Stars for Customer Service -- The owner greeted us when we walked in the door and helped us select a table so as to better accommodate our giant twin stroller. One of the waitresses kept coming by to encourage us to get more food at the buffet table, remind us that there was additional options outside, and ask if we needed anything. Just like at our previous visit, the team here was so nice and attentive, probably one of our favorite things about this place! You also have the option to sit outside on the patio, which is nice when the weather permits. One small constructive criticism, the door leading to the patio announces "side door open" every time someone comes in/out, which can get a bit annoying after a while. Bonus star because we would definitely be back, even if the price were to increase. read more

We stopped by for a quick bite to eat so we ordered a few different momos - they were some of the best momos I've ever tried! My favorite was the buffalo momo because of the meat and chicken c momo because of the spicy garlic sauce and onions. Next time I will try the buffalo c momo! The service was amazing - our server was from Nepal and she was super sweet and attentive. Can't wait to come back and try their other entrees! read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - CHICKEN MOMO, BUFF MOMO, CHICKEN C MOMO - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

Excellent service! Delicious food! Hot Fresh Naan delivered directly to table. Restaurant was bustling but the mood was calm. Clean and welcoming. The buffet was an excellent value and allowed us to try a variety of dishes. read more

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if you want excellent fresh Indian food with a tremendous buffet are only $16.99 during the week then you must come to Hayward to Gurkha kitchen. The owners are from Nepal and they know how to make fresh paneer chai pakora, Dal, naan and desserts. All the food is consistently fresh every single day and you can eat all you want. The servers are super friendly. Like family! But if you prefer an Indian restaurant with lots of fancy tables and chairs and lights, and food that is three times what it is worth, and one day old then maybe this is not the place for you lol read more

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They started offering a lunch buffet on 3/1!! For 15 bucks! And you get a usual fare of Indian food but ALSO momo and pani puri!!! Gasppppp. I was pleasantly surprised as I was walking in to order thali, but buffet is WAYYY better. Service was pleasant and nice. The food was delish at a good value. Will be back very soon. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

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I come here for the buffet on the weekends and it's always a 5/5. The pani puris, chicken momo's, hot tea, gulab jaman, dal tadka, chole, hot naan all consistent and delicious! They even have rose and it's good quality. I like to feast when i come here after the gym. The staff is really polite and respectful. They keep it clean at all times and the service is good. Sumeeta is really sweet. My ONLY recommendation, the saag paneer could taste better. It's super duper bland. But everything else is 10/10 for the food. It's perfect for my palette. Not oily, not too spicy, it's just right. Thank you! Will be back next weekend. read more

We came here on Sunday for dinner buffet. It was $19.99 per person. There wasn't a lot of selection however everything was very fresh and delicious. We love the butter chicken and goat curry. The fried vegetables rolls and the chicken momos were really good as well. We wrapped up the dinner with masala Chai tea, rice pudding and gulab jamun. Super happy that this place is close to us. read more

We have been passing here multiple times because it's just next to our bank. However, my husband and I kept saying we will try it one of these days but never got to visit and now this is it. We came on a Sunday for lunch. I was surprised that they have a lot of variety on their menu. Well, actually I shouldn't be lol ... since they're a mix of Nepal, Indian, Halal and Himalayan. My husband and I ordered their lunch specials. With rice, 2 sides and a small soup(forgot what its called) then you choose 1 main dish to go with it. There's 4-5 selections. I got the lamb curry and hubby got tikka masala. They're all good. We will come back again to try the rest. Parking is a little bit challenging but it's okay. The place is clean and they also have outdoor seating. I highly recommend this place read more

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Momos are absolutely amazing!!! I've been on the hunt for a good momo spot in the Bay Area and the gurkha kitchen exceeded my expectations. Will definitely be ordering from them again :) read more

We tried the weekday buffet. Very reasonable price and very good options. Love the saag paneer. read more

The Gurkha Kitchen - Buffet - Indian Near Me - Hayward, California

We found this spot on the Hayward gift card merchant list and decided to give it a try. We came around 12:30pm on a Saturday and was surprised that it was fairly empty. We ordered a variety of dishes - Chicken Choila, Thakali Thali Set, Chicken Momos, Veg Momos, Roti and Garlic Naan . My favorite was the Chicken Choila because the chicken was tender and the broken rice was crispy. It reminded me of fried rice but with a unique twist. The Momos were just average. Turns out you can get free side refills per person for the Thakali Thali Set. Overall good service and it's nice to have a Nepali and Indian Cuisine in downtown Hayward. read more

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My girlfriend and I stopped by here for dinner last week and we were very pleased with our meal. This was my first time beee but we came on the recommendation of my girlfriend. We arrived at around 7 PM and the restaurant was fairly quiet - they had indoor and outdoor seating available and we decided to sit indoors. For our meal we ordered the veg Jhol momo, chili paneer, the veg chow mein and the mix Mass tarkari. Food came out promptly and everything was delicious. Highlights for me were veggie momos and the chili paneer. The paneer was fried perfectly crispy while still retaining good texture on the inside. And the Momos were some of the better vegetarian ones I've had in the Bay Area. The other two items we got were also solid - the mix mass tarkari was almost like a mixed veggie masala with warm spices and the chow mein was good. All in all , The Gurkha kitchen definitely scratches the Nepalese food itch and it's a welcome addition to the food scene in the East Bay. Would definitely keep it in my roster of places to go to read more

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