New Nepali restaurant fills former Curry Gate in East Charlotte. What to expect
East Charlotte’s newest restaurant leans into the authentic flavors and traditions of Nepal.
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12 Masala recently debuted on East W.T. Harris Boulevard, replacing the former Curry Gate restaurant, Axios Charlotte first reported. The latter closed and has since rebranded following a change in ownership.
The new concept, backed by original Curry Gate co-founder Mukesh Ghimir, offers traditional Indian fare while centering on “time-honored recipes” from Nepal.
“Drawing on years of tradition and hands-on experience, we bring … fresh ingredients and genuine hospitality to every dish,” the restaurant’s website says. “Our goal is simple — to serve food that’s true to its roots and create a place where every guest feels welcome.”
Prakash Dhimal, Ghana Dahal and Nara Dhimal were listed as co-founders.
So what’s on the menu? 12 Masala has similar offerings to Curry Gate, plus a variety of Nepali culinary staples such as momo, a steamed dumpling filled with minced meat, vegetables and spices.
There’s also stir-fried chow mein and thukpa, a savory noodle soup with spiced broth. Other menu highlights include:
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As for drinks, customers can choose from a few assorted mocktails, marketing director Rashika Chamlagai told CharlotteFive in an interview. Lassi, a smoothie-like drink made with yogurt, is also on the menu along with lemonade and soft drinks.
Similar South Asian grocery and culinary concepts have opened in Charlotte in recent years, including Triveni Supermarket and Utsav Supermarket.
There has also been a boom in restaurants serving traditional Indian cuisine: Masala Bitez in Mooresville, Nawabi Hyderabad House in uptown and Zamindar’s Clubhouse in South End, led by a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded chef.
But Chamlagai said 12 Masala prides itself on being uniquely Nepali — and is 100% Nepali owned. Its offerings cater to East Charlotte’s immigrant community, which is largely South Asian and Latino.
“We wanted to serve our community here,” she told CharlotteFive. “We come from such a small country, and to find authentic (Nepali) food in such a big city can be hard — especially when everything caters to the Western world.”
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12 Masala is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
Portions of this story previously appeared in The Charlotte Observer.
Location: 8829 E W.T. Harris Blvd #107, Charlotte, NC 28227
Cuisine: Authentic Indian, Nepali
Instagram: @baramasala12
