South Asian food has an expanding fan base in Jeddah as is evident from the many restaurants here specializing in desi food, especially Indian and Pakistani cuisines. So I was not surprised when I heard about yet another desi restaurant in Jeddah-town. Masala is a signature Indian restaurant that serves Indian fare — fast food style.
It is indeed a challenge for any restaurant to cater to all its diners who come from a wide base of culinary diversity. For this purpose, Masala sought the expertise of Master chef Riyaz Yousef Muqadum from Mumbai.
The restaurant has three branches in Al-Salamah district, Al-Naeem district and in Palestine Street, respectively.
I recently visited their main branch at Al-Salamah and got a chance to sample their delicacies as well as talk to chef Muqadam.
I started with the Skewer Chicken Kebab, which were essentially seekh kebab with a distinct baked flavor, served along side a green chutney and yogurt raita. The melt-in-the-mouth kebabs surely set the mood right for the rest of the evening.
Next on the table was Chicken Tandoori, a bit dense in flavor as compared to the simplicity of the Skewer Chicken Kebab.
The Chicken Korma and Chicken Curry are recommended for those who don’t like spicy food. My taste buds found the two curries to be slightly mild because I like my food hot and spicy.
Chef Muqadum also served us a portion of Lamb Korma, which I found to be much better than the ones served at restaurants around Jeddah. Its soft and subtle flavors of cardamom and other spices make it a great dish.
According to Chef Muqadam, the restaurant uses raw spices, which are roasted and freshly ground in the restaurant’s kitchen, and this is what sets Masala apart from other eateries.
“If we use packed spices that are available in the market, we do not get a fresh taste and a beautiful aroma. These are only achieved when you prepare the spices yourself. In the past, spices were freshly ground in the kitchens of the kings and the queens and that is what made their food delicious and gave it a wonderful aroma. We are trying to do the same,” he said.
He said they are using a volcanic stone for barbecue as it doesn’t give out carbon, and retains the nutrients in the food.
The restaurant has also banned the use of food colors containing chemicals to make the food “healthy as well as tasty.”
“We use disposable plates made out of leaves because we are eco-friendly,” Chef Muqadam said.
He served us the restaurant’s signature dish, Chicken Masala, from which the place derives its name.
Keeping up to its name, the dish was spicy and created a tangy, crispy medley inside the mouth. It tasted divine with hot bread. Absolutely a must try!
Another great speciality at Masala is their Chicken Tikka.
The meals come in ‘Combo Supreme’ style that include Tandoori Chicken, Mixed Vegetables, Mixed Vegetable Biryani, lentils, chutney, bread and drinks. They are priced at SR50.
Combo Biryani meal includes Chicken Biryani, lentils, green chutney, raita, salad and bread, and is priced at SR30.
Combo Tikka comprises Chicken Tikka, Vegetable Biryani and lentils, along with different sauces and costs SR40. Combo Kebab includes Skewers Chicken Kebab, Vegetable Biryani, lentils and sauces. It is priced at SR40. Tandoori meal, Tikka meal, and Kebab meal are priced at SR20 each.
Ahmed Hashim, marketing manager of Masala, told Arab News that the restaurant was launched about two years ago with the aim to specialize in Indian fast food, which he said is a new concept.
“Arabs and Saudis love Indian cuisine. To serve them, we have hired chefs from Mumbai and Pakistan. We get customers from all stratas of society, especially Saudis who love to eat at Masala because the food is prepared according to their tastes,” said Hashim.
Although Masala has a vast menu, it does not offer any sweet endings to its diners i.e. it has no dessert menu.
All in all, it was an evening well spent in the glorious company of Chef Muqadam, dishing out some extremely memorable delicacies. With a menu that’s priced quite reasonably, this Indian fast food restaurant certainly appears to be a trend-setter.
— [email protected]
Masala: Taste the real spices of India
Masala: Taste the real spices of India
Where We Are Going Today: Haru Japanese restaurant in Riyadh
- Haru’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and service, while the kitchen still has room to sharpen flavors, especially in its sushi
Haru Japanese restaurant opens quietly on Takhassusi Street in Riyadh, with a modest entrance leading into a calm, softly lit space of pale wood and simple design.
The menu offers sushi, hot dishes, and desserts at mid-range prices. Service is friendly and efficient, with staff happy to explain the dishes and offer guidance.
We started with sushi rolls, which were neatly presented but leaned heavily toward sweetness. Generous sauces often overwhelmed the fish, and in some pieces, the rice lacked the light firmness expected from good sushi. While not unpleasant, the overall result felt less refined than the setting suggests.
Hot dishes fared better. Grilled and sauced items showed more balance, with bolder flavors working more naturally. Portions were reasonable for the price.
One weak point was the wasabi, which lacked heat and depth — a small detail, but one that matters in Japanese dining.
Dessert was the highlight. A matcha-based sweet arrived well balanced, earthy and light, and a complimentary final bite left a pleasant last impression.
Haru’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and service, while the kitchen still has room to sharpen flavors, especially in its sushi.
