Indicana Brings the flavors of Mexico and India to Spokane

Chef Noreen Hiskey shares her love for food through Indicana, a restaurant located in the South Perry District in Spokane, Washington where she blends her Indian roots with the flavors of Mexico.

Leap of Faith

Noreen Hiskey’s journey to Spokane began with an unexpected online connection that blossomed into so much more. Despite never having visited the U.S., and her partner never having been to India, together they took a leap of faith that led to one of Spokane’s most vibrant and exciting restaurants.

Coming from a city of more than 7 million in India, Spokane offered a change of pace, comfort and a sense of community. Noreen quickly immersed herself in the local food scene, seeking out restaurants and like-minded food lovers. Her passion for cooking, deeply rooted in her family’s traditions, became a bridge between her heritage and her new home.

Born To Be A Chef

Growing up, Noreen’s family lived as expats in Saudi Arabia, with her father working in Dubai. Her mother, a passionate cook, used food to build friendships and share culture. Potlucks and recipe exchanges were common, and food became the family’s love language. Noreen inherited this passion, and cooking remained a central part of her identity.

Encouraged by her husband, Noreen began a food blog from their home in Spokane. She documented recipes, photographed dishes, and shared her culinary creations online for over a decade. Her blog became a platform for storytelling, cultural exchange, and creative expression. It was also a collaborative effort—her husband ran a separate website, and together they supported each other’s ventures.

Credit: Ari Nordhagen | Amen Photography

Finding Feast World Kitchen

Seven years ago, the birth of her daughter marked a turning point in her creative journey. She began seeking more personal and community-driven ways to share her love of food and found that connection through Feast World Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrant and refugee chefs. It provides a platform for culinary entrepreneurs to host monthly popups, participate in teaching and business programs, and become part of Spokane’s diverse and welcoming community.

As Feast World Kitchen grew in popularity, welcoming more immigrant and refugee chefs into its fold, the need for space and flexibility led to a natural transition. Having spent four years building Inland Curry within Feast’s shared kitchen, Noreen found herself at a crossroads.

It’s Amazing What a Taco Can Do

That next step began with a taco.

One of Noreen’s most loyal customers, Chip Overstreet, was sent home with a sample of Indian-inspired tacos. Chip, who had become so dedicated to Noreen’s cooking that he had set himself a weekly alarm on his phone to put in his weekly order, loved the tacos. That simple gesture sparked a conversation: What if Indian food could be presented differently? What if it could be fused with Mexican cuisine?

The idea resonated with Noreen. She had already experimented with Indian fusion during her early popups, and now, with Chip as her business partner, the concept of Indicana was born—a restaurant blending the bold, vibrant flavors of India and Mexico. The fusion felt natural. Both cuisines share ingredients, techniques, and histories shaped by colonization and trade. Dried chilies, tomatoes, braising methods, and complex sauces like mole and curry all reflect a shared culinary DNA.

Warm and Welcoming

The space they created in the Perry District, with a cozy patio backed up to Grant Park, reflects the fusion at the heart of Indicana. It’s warm, colorful, and thoughtfully designed—not traditionally Indian or Mexican, but a blend of both cultures. The goal is to make diners feel excited, curious, and comfortable. Whether they’re familiar with Indian or Mexican food, they’ll find something approachable yet unique.

Each dish is crafted with intention. Take their mole, for example: a traditional Mexican base reimagined with Indian chilies, cashews, and spices or halibut with a coconut rice in a chili margarita seasoning. It’s not about replicating either cuisine—it’s about honoring both and creating something entirely new.

Courage, Connection and The Transformative Power of Food

Ultimately, Indicana is more than a restaurant. It’s a celebration of culinary creativity, cultural connection, and the joy of trying something unexpected. It invites Spokane to explore flavors that are both familiar and fresh, all within the welcoming heart of the Perry District.

Noreen continues to share her love for food through Indicana, blending her Indian roots with the flavors of Mexico. Her story is one of courage and the transformative power of food.

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