Kabab and Curry Brings Nepali-Indian Fusion to Durham as Duke's Holi Tradition Endures

Durham's South Asian community has left visible marks on both the city's restaurant scene and university life. A Ninth Street eatery merging Nepali and Indian culinary traditions has caught the attention of the Durham food community, and Duke University's Holi celebration reflects the enduring cultural presence of the South Asian diaspora in the Research Triangle. Together, these stories illustrate how Desi culture continues to shape daily life in Durham.

🍛 Kabab and Curry Merges Nepali and Indian Flavors on Ninth Street

The 9th Street Journal reported on 16 October 2025 that Kabab and Curry, a restaurant located on Ninth Street in Durham, merges Nepali and Indian cuisines under one roof. Reporter Halle Vazquez described the dining space as a hidden retreat entered from Ninth Street. The interior features ornate copper panels that engulf the ceiling and fragrant spice jars lining the entrance, leading guests into spacious booths. The article's headline described the menu as combining the tikka masala of Indian cooking with chili-infused momos drawn from Nepali culinary tradition. The 9th Street Journal, which covers Durham and North Carolina politics, published the story as part of its local life coverage. The restaurant is situated along Ninth Street, a Durham district known for independently owned businesses and a diverse range of dining options. The fusion of Nepali and Indian culinary traditions at a single restaurant reflects the multi-origin South Asian heritage represented among Durham's restaurant community. The eatery's distinctive interior design and its menu drawing on two distinct South Asian cooking traditions make it a recognized addition to the city's food landscape. The article by Halle Vazquez was published on 16 October 2025 and is accessible through the 9th Street Journal's archive. [4]

🪔 Duke Holi Celebration Returns After Two Pandemic Years

Duke Today published a report on 20 March 2022 covering the return of the Holi celebration to the Duke University campus after two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic. Holi, the Hindu holiday also known as the Festival of Colors, celebrates love, the triumph of good over evil, and the end of winter, the report noted. Professor Leela Prasad of the Department of Religious Studies at Duke University said the return carried heightened emotional significance. She stated: There is just such a release, a relief, a joy at being able to hang out together once again, to be able to throw color on one another. Prasad observed that the pandemic had cultivated a greater appreciation for freedoms previously taken for granted, including the act of collectively throwing colors. The report noted that Holi is observed across South Asian countries and throughout the South Asian diaspora worldwide. The throwing of colors symbolizes happiness as well as nature's variety, and Prasad described it as a way of welcoming and walking into spring. Prasad led a campus discussion of Holi's mythology and cultural significance the Friday evening before the main celebration. On Saturday, 19 March, Duke students took part in music, food, and festivities on the West Campus. Photographs for the report were taken by Jared Lazarus and Jacob Whatley of Duke's Digital and Brand Strategy team. [3]

Sources: [4] 9th Street Journal · [3] Duke Today