Friends Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Langley

By far, the best Indian dish under $20 I ever had. I gave this place a chance because of its 5 star rating on G maps while having a lot of reviews, which made me a bit suspicious, seeing that it's not that busy. Let me state up front that this place definitely earns a 5/5 on G maps: stands out amongst the crowd of Indian restaurants around just because of one dish.

But before I get to that, let me get the not so great out of the way. The appetizer I had (I think it was the lollipops but I'm not sure — pic attached) was a solid 6.5/10. Spicy, sweet, salty, savory, but not much else going on in terms of flavor. It was somewhat tender though.

Thali was a 7/10. Lentil curry was good but not great. The chicken curry makes up for it though.

Their magnum opus and what keeps me coming back is their Biryani as many of their G maps reviews mention. NINE POINT FIVE out of 10 with sauce even after coming here multiple times but 6.5/10 without sauce. Seriously, use a generous portion of the white sauce; it's included and refills are free.

I would say that Indian spice profiles are high risk, high reward. If you mess up, the food will taste disgusting even to the most unpicky eaters (I'm one of those). But if you nail it, the dish will take you to flavor town and back; and back to flavor town and back. And this restaurant nails it with their Biryani.

In addition, their rice is always perfectly cooked: fluffy and soft, yet the grains are individually separated and not falling apart. It's just a bit dry, but that makes it perfect when paired with curry or sauce (as you should) as it won't get mushy as easily.

The atmosphere is adequate: clean, and there's signs of effort placed into aesthetics. It's definitely not fine dining.

Serving size: huge. Expect to be full after only an entree. They can definitely serve 1.5-2 people.

Summary: definitely come here for Biryani if you want some Indian food without destroying your wallet with those Michelin recommended...

Oh my god .. unbelievable. Very unprofessional people . I literally went there for the first time and ordered sahi panner biryani and they never asked or mentioned about spicy level when i ordered and when i started eating it .. it was way way way too spicy .. inedible.. and, when i complained that girl said “oh Hyderabadi biryani is always spicy .. you didn’t know” she started gaslighting me as it was my fault but the thing is they never asked me about spice level .. ok whatever.. i thought my fault and again went their today to give them another chance and guess what … there was a hair in their biryani .. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS ??? Am adding a picture of it too .. and immediately called the waiter and he replaced it … BUT BUT BUT , he was not sorry at all .. was smiling all the time as it was a joke or a common thing for them .. Even then , no manager , no owner came to say sorry.. POOR POOR HYGIENE THERE… i already filed a complaint to Fraser Health and now they will take care of it .. they seriously should be ashamed of...

From the moment I stepped into “Friends,” I was greeted by the warm and inviting ambiance that promised an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant’s dedication to authenticity is evident in every dish, making it a true gem for Indian cuisine enthusiasts. The menu offers a delightful array of flavors, each dish crafted with a blend of traditional spices that transport you straight to the heart of India. The Butter Chicken is a must-try, with its rich, creamy sauce perfectly complementing the tenderly cooked chicken. The Lamb Rogan Josh is another standout, offering a robust flavor that is both comforting and exotic. The service at “Friends” is impeccable. The staff are not only attentive but also knowledgeable, providing recommendations that enhance the dining experience. Their passion for the cuisine and the culture it represents is contagious. To top it off, the restaurant maintains an immaculate environment, ensuring a pleasant and hygienic atmosphere that aligns with the high quality...