Can You Customize Your Order at Indian Restaurants?
October 10, 2026 · 4 min read · The Namak Kitchen
Yes — and here's exactly which requests are easy, which are harder, and how to phrase them so the kitchen gets it right.
Because we cook each order fresh rather than reheating batches, most changes cost us nothing. Here's the honest breakdown of what we can and can't do.
Easy — just ask
- Spice level. Mild, medium, hot, extra hot, chili on the side. The single easiest change.
- Less oil or less ghee. Very common request, no problem.
- No cream. We can build most gravies without it, though butter chicken and korma won't taste like themselves.
- Oil instead of ghee for dals and vegetables — this makes a lot of dishes vegan.
- Protein swaps. Chicken instead of lamb, paneer instead of chicken, tofu where we stock it.
- No onion or garlic for Jain or religious diets. Ask, and we'll tell you which dishes work.
- No cilantro. Genuinely a genetic thing for some people. We'll leave it off.
- Sauce on the side, extra raita, extra chutney, no salt added.
Harder — ask, but expect trade-offs
- Nut-free. Korma, malai and some kofta gravies are built on cashew or almond paste. We can steer you to nut-free dishes rather than remaking those.
- Fully dairy-free. Yogurt is in marinades, cream is in gravies, naan dough often has milk. Doable, but it changes what you should order — start with dry vegetable dishes, dals with oil, and tandoori items.
- Gluten-free. All our gravies and rice dishes are naturally wheat-free; the breads are not, and we can't promise a separate fryer.
- Very large custom catering builds — possible, just needs notice. Talk to us about catering here.
How to phrase it
Say the *reason*, not just the request: "dairy allergy, not a preference" tells the kitchen to check the marinade, not just skip the cream on top. And say it when you order, since everything goes into the pan fresh.
Ordering online
Use the special instructions box on our online order page. For a serious allergy, put it in the notes *and* call the restaurant — a two-second phone call removes all doubt.
We'd much rather adjust a dish than have you eat something you can't enjoy. Browse the menu and tell us what you need.
Come eat with us
The Namak · 848 Willow Ave, Hercules, CA 94547. Halal Indian & Pakistani cooking — dine in, pickup, catering across the East Bay, and a banquet hall for up to 200. Closed Mondays.
Keep reading
- How to Eat Naan and Rice: Table Manners at Indian RestaurantsDo you put curry on the rice or beside it? Is dipping naan wrong? Practical answers to the questions people are too polite to ask.
- Indian Food Trivia: Fun Facts About Your Favorite DishesButter chicken was invented to save leftovers, chili isn't originally Indian, and samosas came from Central Asia. Ten things worth knowing.
- Best Indian Curries for Beginners: Mild and Creamy OptionsFive mild curries that taste like a lot without hurting at all — ranked from gentlest to most interesting.
- What Makes Indian Food Healthy? Nutritional Benefits ExplainedLentils, turmeric, yogurt, fermented grains and a lot of vegetables — plus an honest look at the dishes that aren't health food.