Tandoori Flames Hulhumale’

by Iyath Adam

If you’re looking for some delicious Indian food in an easy setting, we suggest you try out Tandoori Flames Hulhumale’. 

A sizeable space with both outdoor and indoor seating, Tandoori Flames reminds you of the old-time restaurant era of the Maldives. We’re talking large tables, wooden chairs, and the classic dim warm lighting – perhaps a fresh change from the newly designed spaces now! 

We opted to sit inside – the place was already full, with both local and foreign diners thoroughly enjoying their meals. The first thing that you see when you enter the restaurant is the big glass countertop full of fried puri shells. We knew we definitely had to try their pani puri. 

Their menu was extensive, with both Pakistani and North Indian cuisine dishes available. We decided to go with a classic meal: garlic naan, tandoori chicken, butter naan and a mango lassi to wash it all down. And of course, an order of pani puri!

The pani puri arrived first. Filled to the brim with potatoes, chickpeas, and drizzles of white and red-coloured sauces. The ‘pani’ smelled like the classic sour and mint-flavoured water and looked ready to eat. 

And it certainly met our expectations! A mix of different textures and tastes, the pani puri simply bursts in your mouth like a small flavour bomb. The size was also great, small enough that you could eat it in one bite but not so small that it left you unsatisfied. We were off to a good start! 

Then, out came the tandoori chicken along with the garlic naan and butter chicken. 

The tandoor chicken was perfectly grilled; succulent on the inside and slightly charred on the outside, bringing that true tandoor flavour. The butter chicken was rich, savoury and slightly sweet without being cloying with perfectly tender boneless chicken pieces. The garlic naan – although a bit on the fluffier side – was large and topped with garlic and butter. It was perfect for mopping up the butter chicken gravy! 

The mango lassi, topped with chopped almonds, was sweet and distinctly mango-y. The perfect refreshing drink to accompany the spicy, savoury dishes. 

On the whole, the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant was great, and we’ll definitely be coming back the next time we crave some comforting Indian food!