Biryani is one of my favourite Indian dishes and few restaurants can replicate an authentic facsimile. DUM Biryani House brings the spicy flavours and vibrancy of Hyderabad to London but was it any good? Time to find out...
Ideal for:
Small gatherings
Biryani lovers
Date night
Ambience & Décor
Upon entering, classic Indian adverts painted on the walls and some flora transport diners to India. This narrow unit cleverly utilises space. Whilst cosy, DUM have a table for large parties, a bar, and ample sitting and it did not feel cramped. The Indian street café theme is evident with the bare walls and cheap furniture. The satirical posters a western twist. DUM Biryani have nailed the authentic décor.
Service
Despite being seated in an alcove aside from the main restaurant, we were well attended. Prompt at taking orders and friendly enough without being spectacular. Good service on a busy night.
Food
The Masala Paneer Pav (left) was a simple dish of spiced paneer served with bread. The masala mix was star, covering all flavour tones without overpowering with spice. Paneer was cooked well and all of it paired well with the brioche. The Mutton Keema Sali Pav followed suit with the minced lamb cooked to perfection. Again, the perfect blend of spice and authentic cooking techniques gave the mutton the X factor.
The standout starter of Nizami Chicken Lollipops (right) had all the flavouring on the coating. The blend of the spice and heat all on a wet sauce over a perfectly crispy coating with soft chicken underneath was a culinary treat. I cannot fault the dish and it was dangerously scrumptious.
Hyderabadi biryanis are traditionally very spicy and the meat is marinated in yoghurt before being cooked with fragrant Basmati rice over the Dum (steamed coals). The pastry atop the dish seal in the flavour and ensure the meat is slow cooked to perfection. Upon cracking the puff pastry top, one gets an ineffable waft of spice and meat.
The Chicken Biryani (left) was perfectly cooked with ample meat pieces all flavoured and cooked to perfection. It is the potent spice mix on the rice and chicken, with the hit of saffron that makes the dish. To temper the spice, the biryani comes with beetroot raita, or to add spice spice Padron pepper in a peanut and sesame seed curry and house acharr (pickle). On flavour, texture and authenticity this Chicken Biryani was best I have had at an Indian restaurant. The spice can be too much so ask the restaurant to temper this if need be, but it is perfect for my palate. Washed the meal down with some refreshing Limca (cloudy Lemonade).
As another main, the Haleem was on point and authentic. The lamb and lentils combo are liquified into a paste-like consistency, but the texture was fab and bursting with flavour.
It was a full house of fantastic dishes that were the right texture, consistency and had plenty of flavour. If you want authentic, tasty and good value meals, DUM Biryani should be on the list. The quirky interior and prompt service just adds more feathers to its cap. To impress me with an Indian restaurant is rare, so an A+ rating is befitting.
Photos of DUM Biryani House and more can be found on Instagram here.
Final grade: A+
Final comment: Authenticity in abundance, DUM has fantastic food at good value
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