17 October 20262 min read
In the kitchen at Himalayan Taj, the tandoor oven is always working. It's a traditional clay oven, and the heat inside is intense, reaching temperatures far higher than a standard kitchen range. This heat is what gives tandoori cooking its specific character. The clay walls hold the high temperatures steady, allowing food to cook quickly while absorbing the distinct, slightly smoky flavor that comes from the charcoal and the clay itself.
Cooking Over the Coals
Many of the dishes on the Himalayan Taj menu depend on this intense heat. For our Lamb Seekh Kebab, we use tender minced lamb, mixing it with our house spices before forming it onto long metal skewers. The skewers are lowered directly into the tandoor. The heat cooks the meat fast, searing the outside while keeping the inside tender. We use a similar method for the Murgh Malai Boti. We take marinated chicken breast and cook it in the clay oven, letting the heat work on the marinade until the edges catch and char.
We also use the tandoor for our Mixed Tandoori Platter, which brings together tandoori chicken, lamb, and shrimp. The high heat of the oven handles each protein differently, but the result is always that quick sear and deep flavor. If you are looking for Indian restaurants near me, you will find these dishes coming straight from the tandoor to your table at our location in Houston, TX.
Breads from the Oven Wall
The tandoor isn't just for meats; it is also how we make our naan. Making naan requires a specific technique. The dough is stretched and then slapped directly onto the hot inside wall of the clay oven. It sticks to the clay and bakes in a matter of minutes. The intense heat causes the dough to bubble and blister, cooking it through while giving it a slight char on the outside. We pull the bread from the wall as soon as it is done, serving it fresh and hot alongside our curries and tandoori dishes.
If you are looking for a nepali restaurant near me, Himalayan Taj brings these traditional cooking methods to the Bay Area. Whether you are ordering a rich Makhani curry or the lamb chops marinated in house spices and cooked in the tandoor, the fresh breads from the clay oven are a central part of the meal. You can explore the full Himalayan Taj Indian restaurant menu online, or join us in the dining room to try these dishes yourself.
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