Never heard of Awadhi cuisine? Well, if you're a fan of curries, biryani and all things Northern Indian, we think your day is about to be made. Biryani Kebab Chai is a unique Indian dining experience which burst onto the scene in 2022 with its Marylebone branch. While it has since expanded to another site in Soho, its Marylebone location remains the flagship and the perfect place to get stuck into some delicious South Asian dishes in West London.
First things first, though - what is Awadhi cuisine? Broadly speaking it refers to food from the Awadh region in Northern India and Southern Nepal, but for the gang at BKC (as they prefer to be known) the beautiful city of Lucknow is where they get most of their inspiration. While this is very much true, Head Chef Arsh Thakur also draws from British produce and is careful to partner with local farms and environmentally conscious suppliers to ensure that the restaurant is brimming with fresh produce and as eco-friendly as possible. This ethos even extends to the tableware which is made by small makers and artisans.
So, what's on the menu? Well, as the name suggests, the menu kicks off with a selection of traditional biryanis like the Awadhi chicken biryani with spices, saffron and basmati rice, alongside tandoori king prawns and a vegan option of soya chunks marinated and cooked with rice and rose water.
If curry is your thing, check out the Bhuna Gosht with slow-cooked lamb with onions and spices in a rich tomato gravy, as well as the Palak Paneer with cottage cheese cooked in spinach purée tempered with fenugreek. Personally, we'd be excited to our hands on a kebab, of which there are an impressive 15 options, with flavour combinations like tandoor monkfish, carom seeds and creamy yoghurt.