Jalsa Indian Kitchen Celebrates Two Years of Modern Indian Dining in Somerdale

Two years can go by quickly in the restaurant business, but reaching an anniversary is never something to take for granted.

This summer, Jalsa Indian Kitchen is celebrating its second anniversary in Somerdale, marking two years since the ambitious Indian restaurant opened its doors at CooperTowne Center.

I had an opportunity to see Jalsa before it opened in July 2024, when the restaurant was still putting the finishing touches on what was clearly going to be something different for South Jersey. Even then, the vision was obvious. This wasn't going to be another strip-mall Indian restaurant with a few tables and a takeout counter. The owners were swinging for the fences.

Two years later, Jalsa is still here, serving South Jersey and continuing to introduce diners to its interpretation of modern Indian cuisine.

A Big Vision From the Beginning

When I first wrote about Jalsa Indian Kitchen before its opening, I was struck by the sheer scale and attention to detail.

The restaurant occupies more than 7,600 square feet, with an elaborate dining room designed to immerse guests in Indian culture. Among the details are custom Rajasthani chandeliers imported from India, large murals, decorative woodwork and a massive digital display. There is also a separate Taj Mahal Room designed for private parties and corporate events.

It was an enormous investment in creating an experience rather than simply opening a restaurant.

That same philosophy extended to the food. From the beginning, the goal was to offer modern interpretations of Indian classics while representing the tremendous diversity of Indian cuisine.

Today, Jalsa Indian Kitchen describes its approach as authentic modern Indian cuisine combining traditional flavors with international influences. Its extensive menu covers everything from vegetarian dishes and curries to tandoori specialties, lamb and goat, seafood, Indo-Chinese dishes, breads, rice and desserts.

Celebrating Two Years

To mark the milestone, Jalsa is giving customers another reason to come celebrate.

The restaurant's 2nd Anniversary Restaurant Week runs August 18 through August 23, with guests receiving 25% off their check when they mention the anniversary promotion. Jalsa is closed on Monday.

It's an opportunity to get together, enjoy some great Indian food and support a locally owned restaurant as it celebrates an important milestone. There will also be a $500 Jalsa gift card giveaway connected with the celebration.

And that's really what anniversaries like this should be about: celebrating the people behind the restaurant while giving the community a reason to rediscover it.

Two Years in the Restaurant Business Matters

I've covered enough restaurant openings and closings over the years to know that opening a restaurant is the easy part — relatively speaking.

Staying open is the real accomplishment.

Restaurants have faced no shortage of challenges over the past few years. Food costs remain high. Labor is expensive. Customers have more choices than ever, while their discretionary spending is being pulled in countless directions.

That's why I think restaurant anniversaries deserve more attention.

We tend to get excited about what's new. I'm certainly guilty of that myself. A new restaurant opens and everybody wants to know about it, see the dining room and try the menu.

But what happens after the opening buzz fades?

That's when a restaurant has to build relationships with customers, earn repeat business and become part of the community. Reaching year two means you've moved beyond simply being "the new place."

Jalsa has done that.

Still One of South Jersey's Most Distinctive Dining Rooms

There are more Indian dining options around South Jersey today than there were even a few years ago, and that's a wonderful thing. The region's Indian food scene continues to become more diverse, giving diners opportunities to explore different regional dishes and styles.

Jalsa carved out its own identity by pairing the food with a dining environment designed to feel like an occasion.

It's a restaurant that works for a casual lunch or dinner but can also accommodate celebrations and larger gatherings. Jalsa remains BYOB and currently serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

For anyone who hasn't been there yet, the second anniversary is a pretty good excuse to finally check it out. And if you haven't visited in a while, perhaps it's time to go back.

Congratulations to the entire Jalsa Indian Kitchen team on two years in Somerdale.

Here's to many more.

Jalsa Indian Kitchen
711 Evesham Road, Suite 12
Somerdale, NJ 08083
CooperTowne Center