Masala Wok in Herndon

If you want to eat something quick in this neck of the woods, options come courtesy of fast-food chains. Since September, however, more people have found their way to this bright Indochinese diner, where healthful choices are plentiful and the masala (freshly ground spices) is incorporated to your liking.

Turns out it's a chain as well -- based in Texas, with a handful of locations around Austin, Dallas and Houston. Franchise owner Vivek Bhakta is the first to open a Masala Wok in the Washington area.

Masala Wok's menu is almost overwhelming, so the subdivisions of masala entrees, favorites and wok entrees are helpful, as are the patient employees at the counter. Accompaniments include basmati or brown rice, noodles and freshly made nan, but sometimes a side of crunchy stir-fried vegetables or chewy, whole-wheat roti can be substituted. Vegetarian or low-carb items are clearly marked. Dishes can be made spicy or mild; entree prices vary, according to the add-ins you choose.

We couldn't resist starting with the crisp vegetarian spring rolls and their spicy chili sauce ($5). Blazing Masala Noodles are stir-fried in a tomato-y sauce and can be dressed with vegetables, chicken, the fresh Indian cheese paneer or shrimp ($7.50 to $9). The portion is generous enough to share and delivers a lot of flavor, with carrots, egg and crisp scallions.

Bhakta says the chicken tikka masala ($8.50) is his most popular dish, with its marinated cubes grilled in a tandoor oven and then cooked in a tomato sauce. The tandoori plate ($8) has plenty of telltale tandoori-red meat and is served with vegetables and a nicely spiced curry sauce for dipping.

We especially liked the dal fry ($7.50), a generous helping of tender lentils cooked with tomato, onions and cilantro -- and soupy enough that we wished it had been packed to go in a tall cylindrical container instead of a compartmented carton.

Curries, kebabs, wraps and American chop suey fill out Masala Wok's savory ethnic mission. When it comes to desserts (all $3), we were surprised to find a creamy and moist tres leches cake on the menu. But it's selling like hot cakes, Bhakta says. An Indian option close in taste is the ras malai, which is made with a soft, fresh Indian cheese, served in sweetened milk and strewn with pistachios.

-- Bonnie S. Benwick

Masala Wok 905 Herndon Pkwy., Suite A (at the southeast corner of Herndon Parkway and Elden Street), Herndon, 703-657-0216; http://www.masalawok.com. Hours: Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.