Tandoori masala indian in Lanzarote
This is how we make it at Mumbai Masala
Some dishes you can describe with words. Others you only truly understand when you taste them. Tandoori masala is the second kind.
If you are in Lanzarote and want to know where to eat a real Indian tandoori masala, not a watered-down version, not an imitation, here is what you need to know before you book your table.
Book at the best Indian restaurant in Lanzarote
Tandoori masala is one of those dishes that splits the experience of eating Indian food into two moments: before you try it done properly, and after.
Whatever you may have ordered under that name before, in a place without a real tandoor, it was something else. It may have been enjoyable. But it was not this.
Come to Mumbai Masala. Taste the difference. And if you want to come back, which tends to happen, you already know where to find us.
Book your table here in two minutes, no complications.
What tandoori masala actually is
Tandoori masala is a traditional Indian spice blend, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garlic, ginger, garam masala, used to marinate meat before it goes into the tandoor.
Yogurt is part of the marinade: it works as a natural tenderiser and helps the spices penetrate deep into the meat. After several hours of resting, the piece goes into the oven and within minutes it becomes something completely different from what went in.
The red or orange colour you see on the plate comes from the paprika, not the heat level. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Traditional tandoori masala is aromatic and warming, not necessarily spicy. It can be adjusted to suit each person's preference.
The word masala simply means spice blend in Hindi. And tandoori refers to the cooking method. Together they describe one of the cornerstones of authentic Indian cuisine.
Our tandoori dishes at Mumbai Masala
On our menu, tandoori masala takes centre stage in several dishes. These are the ones our guests order most:
Chicken tandoori — The absolute classic. Chicken pieces marinated for hours in spices and yogurt, cooked directly in the tandoor. The outside comes out slightly charred and the inside stays juicy. Served with naan, red onion, lemon and cool mint chutney. The contrast between the heat of the chicken and the freshness of the sauce is part of the experience.
Chicken tikka masala — Here the chicken first goes through the tandoor and is then folded into a creamy sauce of spices, tomato and cream. It is the perfect bridge for anyone who wants to explore authentic Indian food without going straight to the more intense dishes. Smooth, flavourful and satisfying.
Paneer tikka — For guests who do not eat meat. Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese that holds up perfectly in the tandoor without melting. Marinated in the same spice blend, charred and served with mint chutney. One of the most ordered dishes on our menu, including among meat eaters.
Tandoori prawns — Prawns marinated in spices and cooked in the tandoor. A combination that surprises almost everyone. The extreme heat gives them a texture and aroma that a griddle simply cannot replicate.
Seekh kebab — Spiced minced meat shaped onto skewers and cooked in the tandoor. Crisp on the outside, tender inside. Many guests start with it as a starter and end up ordering it again as a main.
If it is your first time with Indian food or you are not sure what to order, our team is there to guide you. There is no wrong answer, just different starting points depending on what you enjoy.
Is it spicy? The question we always get
Short answer: it depends on the dish, and you can always tell us your preference.
Traditional tandoori masala is not about extreme heat. It is layered, aromatic and warming flavours that build as you eat, not a dish that leaves you reaching for water. Nothing to be afraid of.
At Mumbai Masala we adjust the spice level with no problem at all. Mild, medium or full flavour, just let us know. What matters is that you enjoy the dish, not that you survive it.
Why Mumbai Masala and not another Indian restaurant in Lanzarote
We have been on the island since 2016. In that time we have served thousands of tandoori dishes to visitors from all over the world and to residents who come back season after season.
We are not the cheapest Indian restaurant in Lanzarote. What we are is the Indian restaurant that cooks with a real tandoor, uses spices sourced from India and follows recipes that have not been softened down to appeal to everyone at the cost of losing authenticity.
We have four restaurants across the island so that no matter where you are staying, one of them is close:
Puerto del Carmen — next to the seafront promenade, in the liveliest part of the island
Playa Blanca — in Marina Rubicón, with views over the marina
Puerto Calero — relaxed, beside the harbour, ideal for an unhurried dinner
Matagorda (Jameos Playa) — in the north of the island, close to the beach and the main hotel resorts
All four restaurants are open every day from 12:00 to 23:30, no exceptions. Lunch, dinner or that awkward hour in between when everywhere else is closed, we are here.
