From left, line cook Gopi Josan and his brothers/owners Kuldeep Singh and Ninder Josan offer a wide range of Indian foods at 718 State Street. | Credit: Paul Wellman

Walking into Apna Indian Kitchen’s glowing dining room, filled with the scent of fresh curry, tables dotted with steaming family-style meals, and a beautiful Indian elephant tapestry lining the wall, it’s hard not to feel instantly welcomed and relaxed. It’s no wonder Apna means “Ours” in Indian — brothers Ninder Josan and Kuldeep Singh have truly made this shifting space, which used to be Goa Taco, into an oasis where anyone can feel at home.

The road to running their own spot has been a long time coming. Josan learned his recipes from their mother, and the family owns two other restaurants: Saffron in Newbury Park and Tantra in Oak Park. Said Josan, “This was us venturing out on our own.”

It’s fun to hear the brothers banter about which recipes work best and to witness their genuine engagement with the happy community of diners popping in. Although they’ve only been open since July, they’ve generated a following due to their unpretentious service, led by Singh’s calm and friendly front-of-house demeanor.

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