Tandoor is the name of a kind of Indian oven, which is a key tool of the trade for Indian chefs who use it for everything from breads to bebabs, swearing by its ability to seal in the real flavor of food at temperatures of up to 400F.

Tandoor Shanghai, Shanghai's first Indian restaurant, opened in 1994. More than a decade has passed, yet Tandoor Shanghai remains as Indian as the first day when it came into operation in this city.

Tandoor Shanghai is most famous for its two recommended dishes. They are malaike chicken and pailaka alu.

Malaike chicken is peeled chicken (marinated in spices and curries for hours before cooking) roasted in Tandoor oven. The higher the temperature of the oven, the spicier of the roasted chicken. Malaike chicken sells at RMB95 per set.

Pailaka alu is also nicknamed as "Indian tofu". It is mixed with spinage and creamy potatoes. When this dish is done, both of the tofu and spinage are smashed. Pailaka alu is usually served as the stuffing of Baishawali anna-Indian nang which is sold at RMB18 per piece. Pailaka alu is priced as RMB58 per set.

In Tandoor Shanghai, the dishes' quality is guaranteed by those experienced Indian chefs, who have worked in top-class restaurants of Shanghai for years, as well as Indian imported ingredients, such as spices, curries, etc.. Besides, Indian boss and local Indian waiting staff both contribute.

Tandoor Shanghai's Indian flavor starts from the gate. The huge bronze ceiling of the entrance takes the shape of an inverted Tandoor oven. "Permanent wheel" hangs flaunting on the exterior wall. A "time tunnel" introduces you into a wonderful world…

Moreover, Tandoor Shanghai also has a spectacular interior decoration on the theme of "Sanzang's Journey to the West", with maps inlaid on the floor and on the wall, telling the route of Sanzang's journey, and a clear sense of Buddhism using old Chinese characters hung from the ceiling.

Besides, this Indian restaurant is well-known for its numerous mirrors, which may easily give you a misconception that this restaurant is capable of accepting hundreds of diners. But the truth is only 120 or so.

What's more, hot live Indian dance performances are available at night with dancers from India.

If you would like to treat your friends, either abroad or at home, an authentic Indian cuisine in an all Indian restaurant, just come to Tandoor Shanghai.

Address: Jinjiang Hotel Dining Street, No. 59 Maoming Nanlu
Open time: Lunch-11:30 to 14:00; Diner-17:30 to 22:30
Pay: RMB150 per person to start (business lunch-RMB68 per person)