Tarka Indian Kitchen Menu (Update 2025)
Introducing the menu at Tarka Indian Kitchen, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant in Houston. Known for its modern casual Indian cuisine, customers rave about the flavorful dishes and generous portions. From creamy chicken tikka masala to aromatic biryanis, Tarka offers a wide variety of options for both meat-eaters and plant-based enthusiasts. The garlic naan is a must-try, perfectly fluffy and slightly garlicky. With fast service, reasonable prices, and knowledgeable staff, Tarka provides a satisfying dining experience. Don't miss out on the mango lassi and pakoras for a taste of traditional Indian flavors. Whether you're a spice lover or prefer milder dishes, Tarka's menu caters to all palates. Experience the vibrant and authentic tastes of India at Tarka Indian Kitchen.
Specials
Iced Chai
Home-brewed Black Tea infused with Cardamom, Cinnamon & fresh Ginger. Sweetened with Agave & poured over Ice with Oat Milk. Dairy Free!
Sticky Tamarind Chicken Wings
Breaded wings with a sweet and spicy agave-tamarind glaze kicked up a notch with our house hot sauce. Served with a choice of chutney.
Masala Spiced Chicken Wings
Breaded wings with a dry rub of Indian spices with a touch of heat. Served with a choice of chutney.
Gobi Manchurian (V) (GF)
Battered & fried cauliflower sauteed with bell peppers & onions in a sweet & spicy Manchurian sauce infused with garlic & ginger. An Indo-Chinese Classic!
Vegetable Samosas (V)
Flaky pastry puffs ( per order) stuffed with seasoned potatoes and green peas. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney. Vegan chutney available upon request.
Samosa Chaat
Classic Indian street fare! Samosa topped with onions, garbanzos, mint & tamarind chutneys, raita & roti crisps.
Vegetable Pakoras (V) (GF)
Potatoes & onions dipped and fried in a gram flour and roasted cumin batter. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney. Vegan chutney available.
Chicken Pakoras (GF)
Tender chicken strips dipped in a seasoned chick pea flour batter. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney.
Tikka Masala Fries (GF)
Perfectly fried & tossed with our special masala seasoning mix. served with tikka sauce or make it vegan with ketchup or agave-tamarind sauce.
Sticky Tamarind Chicken Wings
Breaded wings with a sweet and spicy agave-tamarind glaze kicked up a notch with our house hot sauce. Served with a choice of chutney.
Masala Spiced Chicken Wings
Breaded wings with a dry rub of Indian spices with a touch of heat. Served with a choice of chutney.
Starters
Soup/Salad
Madras Soup (V) (GF)
Tomato-Coconut Soup cooked with Indian spices & finished with an aromatic tarka of onions, cumin & garlic.
Mulligatawny Soup (GF)
Flavorful vegetables, lentils & minced chicken, infused with lemon juice, curry powder & coconut milk.
Green Salad (V) (GF)
Mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, chickpeas & & gluten free masala crisps.
Chicken Kabob Salad (GF)
Freshly grilled chicken atop mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garbanzos & gluten-free masala crisps.
Naan
Leavened Indian flatbread
Garlic Naan
Leavened flatbread brushed with garlic & basil
Roti (V)
Unleavened whole wheat bread
Pav (V)
Freshly toasted vegan sweet yeast rolls
Cheese Naan
Freshly baked Naan topped with Mozzarella cheese, melted to gooey perfection with a dusting of masala.Served with your choice of Tikka sauce, Desi Ranch or Raita.
Fresh Bread
Curries
Tikka Masala (GF)
Mouthwatering creamy tomato curry infused with fresh herbs and ground spices. Served with basmati rice.
Korma (N) (GF)
Rich cashew almond pistachio cream sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Coconut Curry (V) (GF)
Smooth onion sauce infused with fresh ginger and garlic, finished with coconut milk & potatoes. Served with basmati rice.
Yellow Daal Curry (V) (GF)
Yellow & red lentils cooked with Indian spices & finished with a tarka of onions, tomatoes, cumin & coriander
Saag (GF)
Pureed spinach sauteed with garlic and onions, delicately spiced and enriched with cream. Served with basmati rice.
Vindaloo (GF)
Tangy onion and tomato sauce sauteed with bell peppers & potatoes, finished with tamarind chutney. Served with basmati rice.
Mirchy Mirch Curry (GF)
A fiery curry made with sauteed garlic, ginger & whole spices, simmered with chilies, mint & coriander. Not available Mild.
Chicken Kabob (GF)
Tender chicken breast delicately seasoned in our chefs special marinade. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney.
Lamb Kabob (GF)
Juicy boneless lamb marinated in yogurt with fresh garlic and ginger, roasted cumin, herbs & spices.
Combo Kabob (GF)
Can't decide? Get the best of both worlds with chicken and lamb kabobs. Served with a choice of chutney.
Kabobs
Biryanis
Chicken Biryani (GF)
Basmati Rice stir fried with chicken, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Lamb Biryani (GF)
Basmati Rice stir fried with lamb, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Shrimp Biryani (GF)
Basmati Rice stir fried with shrimp, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Paneer Biryani (GF)
Basmati Rice stir fried with paneer, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Vegetables Biryani (GF)
Basmati Rice stir fried with vegetables, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Beyond Keema Biryani (GF) (V)
Basmati Rice cooked with plant-based ground meat, green peas, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices.
Mattar Paneer (GF)
Paneer cheese and green peas simmered in an onion curry with a touch tomato sauce and cream. Served with basmati rice.
Daal Makhani (GF)
Black lentils & kidney beans slow cooked with butter & cream, garlic, ginger & tomatoes. Not available mild.
Malai Kofta
Savory vegetable dumplings cooked in a rich tomato-onion curry sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Channa Masala (V) (GF)
Zesty garbanzo bean curry with sauteed onions, tomatoes, garlic & ginger, garnished with cilantro. Served with basmati rice.
Kofta Korma
Savory vegetable dumplings cooked in a rich cashew-almond-pistachio cream sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Yellow Daal (V) (GF)
Yellow & red lentils cooked with Indian spices and finished with a tarka of onions, tomatoes, cumin and crushed coriander. Served with basmati rice.
Saag Channa (GF)
A flavorful combination of our garbanzo bean curry & pureed spinach sauteed with garlic & onions. Served with basmati rice.
Beyond Keema Curry (V)
Plant-based ground meat with green peas & red potatoes, seasoned with coriander, dried chilis & Indian spices, served with freshly toasted vegan sweet yeast rolls.
Gobi Manchurian (V) (GF)
Battered & fried cauliflower sauteed with bell peppers & onions in a sweet & spicy Manchurian sauce infused with garlic & ginger. An Indo-Chinese Classic!
Vegetarian
Kid's Menu
Kids Curry Bowl (GF)
Chicken, veggies or paneer in mild Tikka Masala curry over basmati rice. Served with a choice of drink.
Kids Kabob Bowl (GF)
Chicken or Lamb Kabob served over basmati rice or masala fries, with mint-tamarind chutney. Served with choice of drink.
Kids Pakoras (GF)
Fried strips of chicken or paneer served with rice or masala fries, & choice of drink.
Kids Biryani Rice Bowl (GF)
Basmati rice stir-fried Indian style with chicken, veggies or paneer. Served with choice of drink.
Ras Malai (N)
Delicate cheese patties served in sweetened cream infused with cardamom.
Mango Cheesecake (GF)
Light & moist cheesecake, bursting with flavor from the king of fruits
Gulab Jaman
A traditional deep fried milk pastry served warm in a rosewater-honey syrup.
Desserts
Sides
Side Rice
Side Desi Ranch
Side Mint Chutney
Side Vegan Mint Chutney
Side Raita
Small Side Tikka Sauce
Large Side Tikka Sauce
Side Saag
Pureed spinach sauteed with garlic and onions, delicately spiced and enriched with cream.
Side Korma Sauce
Small Hot Sauce
Large Hot Sauce
Side Achar
Onion Plate
Side Veggies
Lightly seasoned and sauteed zucchini, cauliflower, carrots & green beans.
Side Kabob Veggies
Lightly seasoned zucchini, bell peppers and red onions, grilled on a flat-top.
Mango Lassi
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with ripe pureed mango.
Strawberry Lassi
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with ripe pureed strawberries
Sweet Lassi
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with sugar
Lassis
Special Beverages
Strawberry Rose Lemonade
Mango Lemonade
Chai
Iced Tea
Soft Drinks
Sparkling Water
Sparkling Mineral Water
Kids Strawberry Rose Lemonade
Kids Mango Lemonade
Apple Juice
Iced Chai
Home-brewed Black Tea infused with Cardamom, Cinnamon & fresh Ginger. Sweetened with Agave & poured over Ice with Oat Milk. Dairy Free!