Hodu Haktana Indian Restaurant
May 2026
"Hodu Haktana," says my grandson, a student at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva, "is everyone's favorite restaurant." Maybe it is the favorite of all the young people in university, but what about the rest of us?
 From Experience, Hodu Haktana restaurant is not just for the young, but for the young at heart. The restaurant was founded by Hanoch Stamker, longtime specialist in Indian cuisine, over 12 years ago. Today the kitchen is led by four expert chefs brought directly from India, for
authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine in Beersheva.
Hodu Haktana” does not’t try to imitate Indian cuisine, it lives and breathes it. Every dish bursts with bold flavor: creamy curries layered with spice, tandoori specialties, fragrant rice dishes, crispy samosas, rich lentil stews, and vegetarian comfort food that keeps diners scraping the last drops from the plate.
The atmosphere is part of the adventure. Low couches, warm colors, lively music, and the steady flow of diners create the feeling of a bustling little Indian hideaway tucked into the capital of the Negev. Around you sit students from nearby Ben-Gurion University, travelers reliving their post-army India memories, local families sharing giant spreads, and devoted regulars who simply can’t stay away.
 The menu at Hodu Haktana is like a culinary train ride across India, full of color, spice, and delicious surprises along the way. Aromatic curries, bubbling stews, crispy fried bites, and sauces bursting with fragrant spices all come together in a menu that speaks to your senses.
Begin with a Chana Samosa — a golden pastry triangle stuffed with warmly spiced potatoes — or Anda & Paneer Pakora, where eggs and paneer cheese are dipped in chickpea batter and fried until irresistibly crisp.
From there, the adventure continues with comforting Indian classics like creamy Malai Kofta, rich with soft cheese dumplings in a velvety tomato sauce, vibrant Palak Paneer simmered with spinach and spices, and Dal Makhani, a cozy pot of slow-cooked beans and lentils finished with just enough butter to make you consider licking the spoon.
 Try the Punjabi Samosa fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes Batata Vada Indian potato fritters.
Bhajji Pakora vegetables fried in chickpea batterThere are also flavorful fish dishes and plenty more to discover for diners ready to happily wander through the flavors of India.
Over the years, Hodu Haktana has become far more than just a restaurant. It is a destination. Indian food lovers from across the country make the trip south for a taste of its authentic flavors, generous hospitality, and joyful atmosphere.
Hodu Haktana attracts a diverse crowd, including travelers returning from India, students from the nearby university, and Beersheba locals who come in every kind of group: individuals, couples, friends, and families. Indian food lovers from all over Israel make a pilgrimage to Hodu Haktana. It has become a unique meeting point for anyone visiting the Negev and searching for truly authentic Indian cuisine. One visit is all it takes before people start planning their next return.
The restaurant also provides delivery service throughout Beersheba, spreading its Indian culinary spirit across the neighborhoods of the Negev capital.
From the menu:
Punjabi Samosa NIS28
Batata Vada NIS 28
Bhaji Pakoda NIS 50
Tilapia/salmon Fish Pakora NIS 45/48
Thali Platter NIS 58
Malai Kofta NIS 58
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