Ajwa Biriyani Shop â A North Kerala Style Treat
If youâre a fan of authentic North Keralaâstyle biriyani, Ajwa Biriyani Shop is a must-visit. We recently tried both their mutton and chicken biriyanis, and they were exceptional in every sense. The flavor profile is subtle yet deeply satisfying, without being overpowered by heavy masalas. The use of tomato is spot on, lending a gentle tang that balances the spices perfectly. The rice is cooked to absolute perfectionâevery single grain fluffy and separate, just the way a good biriyani should be.
Ajwa offers four varieties of biriyaniâveg, chicken, mutton, and fishâin two portion sizes:
Regular: 2 pieces of meat/fish with rice
XL: 3 pieces with extra rice for the hungry souls
While the biriyani is excellent, the star of the show is undeniably their chicken fry. Without exaggeration, this could easily be one of the best chicken fries in all of Kerala. Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with the irresistible aroma of virgin coconut oil and fresh curry leavesâitâs a masterpiece in itself.
Pricing is reasonable for the quality:
Mutton Biriyani: ~âč350
Chicken Biriyani: ~âč280
Ambience & Practical Notes The ambience is functionalânothing fancyâbut the focus here is clearly on the food. Expect a queue during peak hours. Parking is a challenge, as thereâs no dedicated space. Roadside parking is risky because itâs a one-way stretch, so you may need to park a little farther away. No wheelchair access is available.
For vegetarians, the only option is the veg biriyani. Drinks are limited to canned carbonated beverages, and a small selection of ice creams is availableâno elaborate sides or desserts.
Verdict: Come here for the foodâespecially the chicken fry. The biriyani is a fine example of North Kerala culinary finesse, but that chicken fry is worth the trip on its own. If you can manage the parking hassle, youâre in for a...
   Read moreI was a frequent visitor to this place and loved their Biriyani. I visited their outlet near Technopark on Aug 25,2019 and was served Chicken biriyani which was very much rotten. The chicken piece in it was stinking. I vomited voluntarily in their restroom since it was tasting very bad and I couldn't dare keep it in my system. I was served a second biriyani even without ordering, and it had the same stench, so I didn't even attempt to even eat it beyond the first bite . I walked out after informing the cashier there that the chicken seems to be rotten if possible not to serve it further that day. Since I didn't want to damage their business during a busy lunch hour, I conveyed it personally. A colleague of mine and family visited their Panavila branch a week back and had similar experience. The guy had stomach upset and loose motion after reaching home while his wife had bouts of vomiting. They called up and complained in the Ajwa branch phone number on reaching home. But I seriously doubt if this is even passed on to the management there or just taken casually. This is the only reason why I decided to post this review. A reputed and trustworthy brand like Ajwa, should seriously consider this review, since it's not just your business but also the health and faith of loyal customers which gets affected if you don't pay heed to whatever is going on in there. I have lost my palate for Biriyani, since then...Hope this will be considered as an earnest feedback, given the time and effort I have put in to type such a long...
   Read moreArguably, the best biriyani in town. The well cooked meat is skewed and broiled in the tiny fine-grained rice. The rice is stewed in the broth of the meat, and steamed with tomato and other assorted veggie puree. As a result, the rice is a standalone, equally delicious preparation, as is the meat. Their salads are stirred in vinegar and salts that make up for another dish in itself. Crushed beetroot and dates pickle are a glistening touch combo. Unlike every other biriyani in town, the Ajwa specialty does not come with egg and pappadam. Itâs the classic Thalassery dum preparation that the restaurateur takes pleasure in. Their fried chicken accompaniment is another Thalassery classic.
The biriyani comes in chicken, mutton, fish and veg variances. Moreover, they offer an extra rice bowl, and even an extra half biriyani bowl for those who order from the special category. In the end, wind up with their honey flavoured lime sulaimani, the cherry topping climax.
The dĂ©cor is a little old fashioned for the ongoing rage, but itâs least in plain sight when gobbling down their delicious mixture. Earlier, the place was a lunch-only restaurant, closing by 3 pm. But now theyâve extended the opening hours to dinner too. They had launched their second outlet in Kazhakoottam a few years back, and...
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