Chef Vikas Khanna, renowned for earning eight Michelin stars over his illustrious 40-year career, has added another feather to his cap. His New York restaurant, Bungalow, has won the prestigious Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award. This recognition holds immense sentimental value for Khanna, as the restaurant is dedicated to his late sister, fashion designer Radhika Khanna, who passed away in 2022. Bungalow, inspired by India’s country clubs, has quickly made its mark as one of the best value-for-money Indian restaurants in New York.
Opening its doors only nine months ago on March 23, Bungalow has already served over 100,000 guests and earned a spot on The New York Times’ list of the Top 14 new restaurants. Despite its resounding success, Khanna has already decided on a closing timeline for the restaurant. “After Junoon, I wasn’t planning on opening another restaurant,” he shared. “The five years I spent trying to save my sister, my best friend and my twin, drained me. This was her dream, and I am just keeping my promise to her. This will be my last restaurant. We serve a fixed 300 dinners every night and will continue for another 10 years. I have nine years and three months to go.”
Khanna, who is also a MasterChef India judge, cookbook author, and restaurateur, has hosted a star-studded clientele at Bungalow. Guests have included Mukesh Ambani and his daughter Isha Ambani, Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker, global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas with her husband Nick Jonas, and comedian Vir Das, among others.
Unlike many restaurateurs, Khanna is not interested in expanding his operations globally or even within the U.S. He believes that success isn’t measured by the number of restaurants one owns. Explaining his perspective, he said, “Neeraj Chopra (Olympic javelin medalist) ko kahoge tu school mein kyun nahin khel raha hai? Nahin na? Tum kahoge, ‘Tu world ke sabse bade stage pe, India ka naam roshan kar.’ People have to come here to experience this place. Mukesh Ambani flew to New York City to eat at Bungalow. When Priyanka was coming to the city, she said, ‘Mere schedule mein aur kuch nahin hai, bas bhai ke haath ka khana, khana hai.’”
Khanna recently shared his experience of hosting Shah Rukh Khan at Bungalow, an encounter that left him deeply emotional. On Instagram, he wrote, “As we spoke about me going to cinema every day to watch DDLJ with my sister and every movie of his, he became my hero for who he is. His voice. His patience. His confidence. His compassion. His friendship. To hold back my tears I looked up the glass ceiling and saw the clear crescent of moon watching over me.”
Despite having lived in the United States for 30 years, Khanna still marvels at his journey and considers it a miraculous gift. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, he remarked, “From a kid who sold aachar and bhatura in Amritsar to reach here, [with a restaurant in] Manhattan, the most competitive city in the world, I know there is more to life; this is only one chapter of my life.”
The chef credits Bungalow’s success to its unique and personal touch. “We have been selling out since the day we opened. I get emails from the smallest towns and villages of India, Asia, and even Africa, telling me they want to visit and this is inspiring them,” Khanna shared. “People come in and they see me cleaning, cooking, serving, and talking to guests every single day. They see me performing on this stage, making everybody feel that they matter. It is a lot of work, and I will continue to do it.”
For Khanna, Bungalow is more than just a restaurant; it is a mission to honor his sister’s memory and a platform for him to connect deeply with his guests. He explained, “I think that is why people feel like this is a personal victory. For me, it was more than just opening a restaurant, making money, and getting awards. Bungalow is unique.”
In its short span, Bungalow has become a beacon of culinary excellence and emotional resonance, embodying Khanna’s dedication to his craft and his enduring love for his late sister.
