Brooklyn Curry Project: Brooklyn Indulged in Taste of South Indian Delicacy, Success Story Of Swetha Raju
Brooklyn Curry Project: In 2021, Swetha Raju, an NRI abiding in Brooklyn, launched the Brooklyn Curry. Project by turning her love for South Indian cookery into a business adventure. This cube is located in the neighborhood of Fort Greene; snappily came a weekend fave for locals pining for authentic South Indian delicacy. A Taste of South India in Brooklyn
Each weekend, a line forms outside Swetha’s cube as locals eagerly await Bengaluru-style idli, pudi masala dosa, dosa, and numerous other South Indian delectables. Swetha, along with her husband and two children, serves these dishes with a particular touch that has earned them a pious client base. “We wanted to partake in the rich flavors of South India with our Brooklyn neighbors, and we’ve been met with inconceivable love since we started,” Swetha says.
From homesick to homestyle food
Swetha is firstly from Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, and her passion for food was embedded in recalling her mama’s cuisine. In 2016, she moved to Brooklyn and plodded to pull up familiar tastes in her new home.”We missed the food, the culture, and the community,” says Sweta. The lack of authentic South Indian food in the area led her to consider participating in her culinary heritage with the community of Brooklyn.
She started the trip in 2021 by setting up a lemonade cube with her daughters in Fort Greene. This led to serving South Indian cookery in the same position, turning the lemonade cube into the Brooklyn Curry Project.
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A Family Business with Deep Roots”
The “Brooklyn Curry Project“ started small, offering curry boxes and later expanding to serve dosas, vadas, idlis, masala chai, mango lassi, and more. Swetha notes that the focus is on offering authentic South Indian food, highlighting lesser-known dishes like idiyappam (string hoppers) that aren’t commonly available in Brooklyn.
Understanding the growing demand for vegan and gluten-free options, Swetha found that many traditional South Indian dishes naturally met these dietary needs. “Our food is not only delicious but also healthy, nutritious, and affordable,” she says, adding that her menu caters to the growing vegan population in Brooklyn.
The Secret Behind the Success
The family sources their ingredients locally while importing spices directly from India. Swetha mentions that the recipes they use are passed down through generations, making each dish a family heirloom. “It’s more than a business—it’s a way to stay connected to our culture and share that with others,” she says.
The success of the Brooklyn Curry Project has been incredible, and the family has connected with a growing Kannadigas community in Brooklyn. Their popularity has expanded beyond the neighborhood, with customers traveling from as far as Boston, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
South Indian cuisine in Brooklyn: A growing trend
After two years, Swetha reflects on the overwhelmingly positive response to their venture. The family has served over 10,000 customers, with their dosas, mini idlis, and mango lassi being customer favorites. Swetha also notes that they’ve tailored their menu to meet local tastes, offering milder spices and even wrapping dosas in a burrito style for convenience.
With the growth of the Brooklyn Curry Project, Sweta plans to expand the menu with the new addition of items like akki roti and thatte idli. The family is also looking to move to a larger space to accommodate their expanding customer base.
The Brooklyn Curry Project has transformed a simple food stall into a celebrated spot for authentic South Indian delicacy. Through hard work, dedication, and a passion for food, Swetha and her family have brought a taste of South India to New York, creating a sense of community and home for fellow Kannadigas and food lovers alike.
Open on weekends from 10:30 AM, Brooklyn Curry Project continues to attract loyal consumers from local and out-of-state, eager to experience the unique and flavorful offerings from Bengaluru.