Michelin-starred chef . He expressed a desire to elevate Indian food on the world stage, stating, "I didn't want anyone to restrict me to a buffet chef or a curry chef."
Reflecting on his experiences abroad, Khanna recounted facing prejudice, with some individuals suggesting that serving was his duty as someone from a developing country. "From being called a 'third-world cockroach' to everything else I've experienced, the challenges have only made me more resilient to globalize Indian food," he noted. After moving to New York in 2010, Khanna gained international recognition as a consultant on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and later established himself at Junoon, where he earned a Michelin star shortly after opening.
Bungalow, which opened in 2024, serves as a tribute to Khanna's late sister, Radhika, who passed away in 2022. "With Bungalow, I live her dream. I keep her alive through my work," he said. The restaurant has garnered significant acclaim, including a prestigious three-star review from The New York Times. Khanna shared a memorable compliment from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who remarked that visiting Bungalow feels like a pilgrimage, evoking the warmth of home.
Khanna emphasized that Bungalow was designed to reflect the comfort of an Indian home rather than luxury. He credited his grandmother, whom he affectionately calls Beeji, for instilling in him the importance of storytelling in business. "Today, getting a table at Bungalow is almost as difficult as winning the lottery in New York," he joked, highlighting the restaurant's popularity as a place for family celebrations and cultural experiences.
Despite his growing business empire, which includes a range of premium sauces and various collaborations, Khanna remains committed to his role as a working chef. He explained his focus on New York rather than opening a restaurant in India, stating that succeeding in Manhattan elevates the global perception of Indian cuisine. "If I can build a successful Indian restaurant here, it raises the value of Indian cuisine globally," he asserted. Khanna aims for Bungalow to embody feminine energy, contrasting it with traditional fine-dining establishments, and plans to close the restaurant in 2034, marking a decade since his sister's passing, fulfilling a promise made to her.
