Meet Lakhvir Khinda | Chef & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lakhvir Khinda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lakhvir, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from a small village called Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Growing up on our family’s 45-acre farm had a big impact on who I am today. My father was a farmer, and my mother was an amazing cook who used all the fresh ingredients from our farm. We grew everything – cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, eggplants, you name it. This is where my love for fresh ingredients and traditional Punjabi cooking began. My family and I learned so much from our mother’s cooking. Those experiences on the farm and in the kitchen really shaped my passion for food and ultimately led me to where I am today with Electric Karma.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Electric Karma, we’re all about bringing authentic Punjabi cuisine (with a little culinary twist) and hospitality to Los Angeles. What sets us apart is our commitment to using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods, just like we learned back home. I’m most proud of how we’ve stayed true to our roots while creating an upscale dining experience.

Getting to where we are today wasn’t easy. When we first opened in 2005, I worked exclusively in the kitchen for about two years to perfect our recipes. It was challenging, but we were determined to get it right. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of authenticity and cooking from the heart. That’s what keeps our customers coming back.

I want people to know that when they come to Electric Karma, they’re getting the truest experience of Indian hospitality. We’re not just a restaurant; we’re sharing our family’s culinary heritage and passion for great food.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting LA for a week, I’d love to show them around! Of course, we’d start with dinner at Electric Karma – they have to try our butter chicken, cheese naan and rice along with our saffron martini.

One of the first places I’d take them would be to our community Gurdwara in Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful Sikh temple where we can experience some peace and spirituality. We’d participate in the langar, the community kitchen where free meals are served to all visitors regardless of their background. It’s a wonderful way to connect with our culture and share it with others.

For the rest of the week, I’d take them to explore some of LA’s diverse neighborhoods. We’d visit the farmers markets to see the amazing fresh produce we have here – it reminds me of our farm back home.

I’d also love to show them the beautiful beaches – maybe spend a day in Santa Monica or Malibu. And no trip to LA is complete without seeing some of the famous sights like the Hollywood Sign and Walk of Fame.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a big shoutout to my family, especially my mother. I have been on this journey since I first went to Germany and worked as a chef in an Italian and Chinese kitchen. Learning about different cuisines was definitely an enriching experience and I cherished every minute I was in the kitchen. However, Indian food is in my roots, so when I came to California in 1992, my brothers and I opened our first Indian restaurant. It is there that I nurtured my passion for cooking Punjabi food, while also experimenting with unique flavors. This led me to start Electric Karma in 2005. But really, it all goes back to my mother. Her cooking inspired us, and she taught us everything we know about authentic Punjabi cuisine. Even when we first opened Electric Karma, I would call her for advice on how to prepare dishes. Her paneer masala recipe is still one of our most cherished dishes here. So, I’d say my family deserves a lot of credit for where I am today.

Website: https://www.electrickarma.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electrickarmahollywood/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/electric-karma-los-angeles