Biryaniwaala | Restaurant Review

Biryaniwaala; a modest hub of bold Indian and Pakistani flavours!

Calling all biryani enthusiasts out there; if you are on the lookout to indulge in authentic biryani and delicious Indo-Pakistani dishes, then this is just the right spot for you! 

Nestled inside the streets of Wellawatte is Biryaniwaala; the brainchild of a memon owner who’s been on the hunt for authentic biryani in Colombo. The restaurant dishes out traditional meals made by their experienced chef using ingredients outsourced straight from India to ensure the taste stays true to its roots. 

Biryaniwaala specialises in Indo-Pakistani biryani, and has quickly become a go-to spot within the first year of opening its doors to the public. 

Let’s skip to the good part – the food!

 

Chaat

Paani Puri – LKR 500 (4/5)

Being a huge fan of Indian street food, I am a sucker for some good paani puri! This delicacy came with potatoes, chickpeas, onions and coriander chutney stuffed inside a crispy shell, alongside a serving of tamarind chutney and tangy water (made out of mint, coriander and other spices) to top it off. As I stuffed the whole paani puri into my mouth – the right way to consume it – I was met with a burst of flavours!

Dahi Puri – LKR 600 (5/5)

Being a fan of paani puri doesn’t just stop with paani puri; instead, it extends over to dahi (curd) poori as well. With the addition of curd mixed with chilli powder and chaat masala sprinkled on top of it, the dahi puri was a definite hit for me. Personally, the taste of it was unmatchable to any place I’ve tried before.

 

Mains 

Mutton Biryani – LKR 1,900 (5/5)

Mutton biryani is a comfort meal at its finest. This well-known variety of rice is served with mutton, potatoes and masala tossed in saffron-milk infused rice. The mutton was cooked to perfection, tender, soft and flavoursome. When consumed with raita; a side dish made of curd and flavoured with onions, chillies and various other spices, each bite was made refreshing.

Tandoori Chicken Biryani – LKR 1,600 (5/5)

Served with a generous portion of tandoori chicken placed on top of the rice, this biryani was spicy and heavenly. The dish’s aroma immediately piqued my interest, and the flavour definitely did not disappoint. Similar to the mutton biryani in terms of ingredients, but with chicken taking the lead role, this biryani was love at first bite and a must-have for all biryani “devotees” out there.

Tandoori Kada (Quail) – LKR 1,100 (4/5 )

Kada, known commonly as “quail”, is a dish many of us enjoy having and Biryaniwaala nailed it in terms of flavour and taste. We were presented with an entire roasted quail which was marinated in yoghurt and spices which gave the dish its fantastic taste. This was juicy, well-seasoned and I felt like I was having a homemade roasted chicken – but a much smaller version of it. It was served alongside some mint chutney which complemented it very well.

Paneer Tikka – LKR 800 ( 3/5)

Paneer, or as others would call it “cottage cheese”, is a well-known vegetarian dish. Marinated with tandoori masala, curd and grilled using skewers over charcoal, this item was well-cooked but could have used a bit more flavouring. It was served in batches of 6 and would make an ideal option for vegetarians.

 

Dessert

Jalebi – LKR 250 (5/5)

Served warm and crispy, the in-house jalebi was my favourite out of all the desserts! This deep-fried wheat flour batter soaked in syrup was sweet and yummy. Being a sweet tooth myself, I highly recommend this!

Carrot Halwa – LKR 450 (5/5)

Carrot halwa is a popular Indian delicacy made with carrots that have been cooked in condensed milk, ghee and a few spices to give it more flavour. Each spoonful was incredibly creamy and velvety, with the addition of nuts giving it a crunchy texture.

 

Drinks 

Nimbu Paani (Lime Juice) – LKR 400 (4/5)

Drinks are more fun when they come in funky containers! Served in a light bulb-shaped glass, this sweet and refreshing lime juice is just what you need on a warm and sunny day.  

Salted Lassi – LKR 600 (5/5)

You’ve probably tried sweet lassi, but have you ever tried salted lassi? If you haven’t, this would be a great place to start! This salted yoghurt-based drink is an ideal, if not “weirdly good” accompaniment to your order and you’d have to taste it to believe us. Getting the concentration right is key to a perfect salted lassi and Biryaniwaala got it just right.

Masala Chai – LKR 350 (5/5)

Absolutely perfect for a rainy day. This masala chai definitely won my heart with the perfect spice-to-sweet ratio. Made with various special spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamon and plenty more, this chai was a definite hit!

 

Ambience

With gorgeous hand painted murals on the walls as well as other décor, the whole mood was really warm and welcoming. However, due to the restaurant’s rather small space, its seating capacity was limited. 

Overall, Biryaniwaala is a gem of a place for those of us who adore desi food. We urge you to give it a go! 

The post Biryaniwaala | Restaurant Review appeared first on Pulse.