Good Korma

At Surf City’s new Delhi Darling restaurant, KARUNA KUMAR has a hand in many pots as the chef and co-owner. While she has mastered running restaurants and serving Indian cuisine, she hasn’t been professionally trained in either discipline; rather, she’s self-taught by one of the most important people who shaped her upbringing – her father.  

“My biggest inspiration for cooking is my father,” Kumar says. “He is no more in this world, but since I was a kid, he was the one who used to cook all of the good stuff for us. When he used to cook, I used to always be with him.”

This September, Kumar and her husband, VIPUL, opened Delhi Darling near the intersection of N.C. highways 210 and 50. Kumar recalls her father always having “wanted to open a restaurant,” so opening Delhi Darling fulfills more dreams than her own, she says.  

Kumar hails from Apex, North Carolina, and has an MBA in human resources. She ultimately left her high-profile job after deciding to pursue various culinary endeavors instead.  

Delhi Darling is the third business she’s opened. The decision to expand her restaurant profile to Surf City is rooted in her love for the ocean and longtime desire to live in a beach town. 

“The people here have such a strong sense of community and a real love for trying new things, especially when it comes to food,” she says. “I knew this was where Delhi Darling could thrive.” 

Kumar views the restaurant as a reflection of her and her husband’s own personal journeys and passions. Every detail of the space was carefully created by the duo, from the colors on the walls to the flooring beneath customers’ feet. 

“The chairs, tables, and even the artwork were handpicked to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels as personal as the food we serve,” she says. “We wanted the space to tell its own story, just like our menu, with every element thoughtfully chosen to make guests feel at home while exploring something new.”

One element that Kumar wanted to specifically showcase throughout her restaurant is Indian cuisine in all its richness, and not just typical dishes like butter chicken. She has added her own modern twist to a few offerings, such as Bhut Jolokia wings for heat, naan pizzas, and Indian seafood like Malvani crab and calamari rings.

“I wanted to bring the depth of India’s culinary heritage to life, starting with the bold, time-honored flavors of North India – like the classic Purani Dilli korma, a dish that captures the essence of Old Delhi,” Kumar says. “But our menu also celebrates the diversity of India, with dishes from all over the country. You’ll find the coastal allure of Kerala fish curries and the subtle warmth of South Indian spices, where curry leaves and coconut milk shine.”\

To view more of photographer Daria Amato’s work, go to dariaphoto.com

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