I’m back at De’ Tandoor tonight... the same cheerful orange sign promising “homemade masala cuisines with heart” pulled me in after work. The hawker aisle felt calm and breezy, a few families dining, a subtle clatter from the wok stations nearby. I queued for a short while, just enough time to scan the photo menu and settle on the item I came for... Tandoori Chicken with Briyani.
I received the plate looking like a complete set meal... a delicious chicken leg, a generous serving of briyani rice, cool cucumber sticks, a handful of fish crackers for texture, and a cup of curry with a hard-boiled egg floating on the surface. It’s the kind of plate that makes you smile before the first bite because every element hints at a different texture and temperature... crisp, tender, fluffy, creamy, fresh.
First spoonful went to the briyani, and it immediately won me over. This version is not spicy at all... instead it leans into aroma and warmth. The grains were separate and gentle on the palate, carrying a mellow aroma of cloves and cardamom without any harsh heat. It’s the kind of briyani that invites second bites... light enough to keep you going, flavorful enough to keep you curious.
Then the star of the show... that tandoori chicken. The skin had taken on those blackened freckles that only proper grilling gives, whispering smoke and char. Underneath, the meat stayed moist... you can tug it apart easily with your spoon, and it still springs back with juiciness. Seasoning was spot on... a quiet tang, a little warmth, a savoury depth that made me pause for a second and think, wow... they nailed the cook on this.
The curry was my bridge between everything on the plate. I poured a little over the rice, then dunked the chicken, then circled back to the egg. The gravy sat in that happy middle... not too thick, not watery, with a tomato-forward tang that brightened the chicken and made the rice even more moreish. The egg soaked up that flavor like a sponge... slice into it and the curry slips into every crevice. If anything, I wouldn’t mind a touch more gravy for the rice... just because I kept chasing those last saucy streaks around the plate.
Texture play is strong here. Crunchy fish crackers, fluffy rice, tender chicken, crisp-fresh cucumbers... every mouthful had a different combination going on. The cucumbers deserve a shoutout... simple, cold, and clean, they reset the palate after the richer bites, so I never felt weighed down. It’s a small thing, but it makes the whole meal feel balanced and complete.
What I also appreciate is how approachable this set is. Sometimes briyani and tandoori can run hot on the spice meter, which is great on certain days, but tonight I wanted comfort without sweat. De’ Tandoor delivered that... familiar flavors, gentle spice, satisfying portions, and that cozy hawker atmosphere that makes food taste even better.
Overall, this was a lovely way to close a Monday... tasty, aromatic, and surprisingly light. I left feeling content, not sluggish, which is exactly what I needed after a day at work. I’ll be back soon... there are still a few menu photos calling my name, and I’m curious to see how their other curries stack up with this briyani. For now, consider this tandoori chicken a little win to start the week right.
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