Flipping the Script on Fried Chicken: Tarun Bangalore ’12

Tarun Bangalore’s IndiHen chicken sandwich isn’t your average sammie—it’s a bold, flavorful twist on the familiar, inspired by Nashville hot chicken and the warm spices of traditional Indian cuisine.

 

Tarun first fell in love with food at Fay, where the day’s highlight was usually Chef Dean Lewis’ lunch. Tarun continued his education at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury before honing his culinary skills at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. He gained experience in some of Boston’s top kitchens, including Blue Ginger and Toro, and later served for several years as maître d’ at the acclaimed Mistral. With a deep passion for great food and exceptional hospitality, Tarun always knew he was destined to create a food concept of his own, and now, he’s bringing that dream to life. Tarun launched IndiHen with his Culinary Institute of America roommate, Micah, as a pop-up restaurant, a concept that gained popularity during the COVID era. Pop-ups allow aspiring chefs and restaurateurs to test their ideas by renting out existing restaurant spaces during off-hours or when the space isn’t in use.

 

IndiHen capitalizes on the familiar vehicle of a fried chicken sandwich to introduce more people to the flavors of Indian cuisine. “A common misunderstanding about Indian food is that it’s always really spicy, and so with our Indian spice blend, we aim to make it more flavor-forward,” says Tarun. The chicken is marinated in ginger garlic paste and buttermilk brine, deep fried, and then spiced with traditional Indian spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. On the side, Tarun offers familiar pairings with an Indian twist: Tadka Mac & Cheese, Saag Greens, and Chaat Fries. “I think a lot of Indian food concepts in our area suffer from sameness, and don’t inspire a lot of innovation. That’s bothered me since I was a kid,” says Tarun. “We’re toppling a lot of those social norms and having fun with it.”

 

With plans to establish a permanent spot in Boston’s restaurant scene later this year, IndiHen is just getting started. In the meantime, stay in the loop on upcoming pop-ups and announcements by following @indihen_boston on Instagram.