Zam Zam Restaurant — Restaurant in Medford

I want to start this off by saying I am not Indian nor do I claim to be an authority on Indian cuisine. I was a chef and worked in the food industry for well over 20 years tho so when I speak about food quality I know what I’m talking about.

I ordered paneer tikka masala, garlic naan, and vegetable samosa to try this place out. My wife read an article that said it was the “best Indian food in Boston or the surrounding area” and with that praise I had to try it. I was not happy to say the least. Let me explain why and also a little of what helps me write such a review.

Mind you I eat paneer tikka masala 5 days a week for lunch and have done so for the last 6 months and I frequent many Indian establishments in search for my perfect bite of paneer tikka masala I have come to love so so much. This place made the food quick and it came hot. Beyond that I have nothing else positive to say. The sauce was curdled and broken, greasy, and lacked any real flavor of garam masala or any of the wonderful spices I have come to expect. The only real flavor was grease. The paneer was not marinated in any kind of seasoned yogurt and definitely had no crust applied by pan searing. Instead I got cubes of paneer thrown in a hot pan, browned on one side and sauced with grease. The paneer was undercooked and had no “sweet garlic” flavor that was mentioned in the menu. The samosa looked and tasted like they were left over from who knows when. I absolutely will not go back. I hope that anyone looking for good Indian skips this place and goes to Lexington instead because the place I go to there knows how to get down in the kitchen and if that’s to far then stoneham has a good spot too. Do yourself and your wallet a favor and skip...

I recently ordered chicken biryani to go from a Pakistani restaurant, and the entire experience left me very impressed. Even though I opted for takeout, the service was warm and attentive. The staff packed the food carefully, ensuring everything stayed fresh and warm until I reached home. It was clear they take pride in both their food and the way it is presented to guests.

The chicken biryani itself was exceptional. The aroma filled my car as soon as I picked up the bag, making it almost impossible to wait until I got home. The rice was fluffy and beautifully seasoned with traditional spices that gave each bite a rich and authentic flavor. The chicken pieces were tender and flavorful, blending seamlessly with the saffron, herbs, and subtle heat. It was a perfect balance—neither too heavy nor too spicy, just deeply satisfying.

Even though I did not dine in, I noticed how quiet and peaceful the restaurant felt while I was waiting for my order. It struck me as the kind of place where you could enjoy a calm meal without distractions, making it a great option for both takeout and dining in. The atmosphere added to the overall impression that this restaurant values comfort as much as flavor.

The portion size was generous, making it easy to share or save some for later, and the quality was consistent from the first bite to the last. For anyone looking to enjoy authentic Pakistani cuisine in a quiet and welcoming environment—or simply to grab a delicious meal to go—this spot is truly a hidden gem. I will definitely be ordering again, and next time I may stay to enjoy the calm atmosphere along with the...

The current rating of 4.8 led us to this joint. Our experience however can be classified as 2 stars at best.

Food (3/5): The food is the main draw at most South Asian joints. It was Ok. We ordered the following: Biryani - 1/5 - was cold and we had to ask for it to be heated. It couldn't possibly have been made fresh. Chicken Tikka - 3/5 - was the best dish we ordered. It was warm and flavorful. A little different than most Pakistani joints will give, almost a cross between "Broast" and Tikka. Saag Paneer - 2/5 - was ok nothing to write home about. Naan - 5/5 - were the saving grace along with the tikkas. Warm, buttery, and had a "qulcha" type feel to them. Really liked them.

Service/Experience/Atmosphere (1/5): South Asian joints aren't known for service, but even with those expectations the service here was pretty bad. Our orders were mixed up, we didn't have utensils. Food came out cold, indicating that it wasn't made fresh, and i had to approach the counter to ask for stuff instead of having the server come by our place (it is a full-service restaurant).

Overall: With a dearth of good south asian eateries in the area, we had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately we left disappointed. The food wasn't great and the service just added to the bitter disappointment. I hope...