Authentic Indian street food meets fine dining at Chakh Dhoom

By Ania Askwith

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Chakh Dhoom, 127 Osborne Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 2TB

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Valentine’s day arrived early!

We visited Chakh Dhoom on Wednesday night to try their offer, and I definitely think they are upping their game for this event. If you’re looking for a romantic dining experience this Valentine’s Day, Chakh Dhoom have put together a special 4-course Mystical Love Gastronomy menu running from February 10th to 16th. For £39.99 per person, you’ll get an amuse-bouche, an appetizer of your choice, a soulmate’s crush curry, and a surprise dessert to round off the meal. There’s also the option to add a bottle of Moët & Chandon for £50, perfect for making the evening even more special.

We opted for:

• Poppadoms and dips – I loved how thin and crispy they were, super fine, not at all greasy, and their Special House Sauce was unreal. Lightly spicy and delicious.

• Punjabi Samosa Chaat – These are served Delhi style with Amritsari Chickpeas, sweet yoghurt, homemade tamarind and mint chutney. This dish is not only super tasty, but it is so beautiful too. And Chakh Dhoom take it to a finer level, adding little microgreens which I adore. Something so small you can easily miss it, but it really shows the great attention to detail by the chefs, and how they take a dish – that’s already pretty amazing – and really elevate it.

• Sharmaji’s Dunali Seekh Kebab – The chef who created this dish was known for making the best lamb seekh kebabs where he worked in India, and we can now enjoy it in Newcastle! Two-layered kebabs with minced lamb inside and minced chicken outside, marinated with cheese, ginger, garlic, onions, and a secret spice blend. We found this dish to be so interesting; and can confirm it tasted as gorgeous as it looked.

• The beetroot kalongi naan – Infused with beetroot, giving it a vibrant colour and a slightly earthy sweetness, balanced by the nuttiness of kalonji (black seeds – delightful in my opinion). It’s a unique twist on classic naan, adding both flavour and visual appeal to the meal! If you need something to really remind you what day it is, this red naan will do the trick. Super inventive and creative, we loved it. Not just for the colour of it, but it also tasted beautiful. The slight sweetness of the beetroot really made the bread become a dish on its own – so much so I would happily eat that on its own, it was so tasty.

• Authentic Vegetable Manchurian – I thought this was a showstopper as soon as it arrived at our table! Vegetable spiced balls fried and tossed with house special Manchurian sauce. We love Indo-Chinese dishes and this one is a perfect example of this cuisine. It was stunning in flavour; that distinct Indo-Chinese flavour is unmissable, the veggie balls super soft and falling apart when you put a fork in them, and the sauce super rich but also light. And look at that presentation. Gorgeous.

• Prawn Tawa Masala – King prawns cooked with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and special tawa masala in thick sauce. This was another highlight for me (seafood is my happy food); the prawns were cooked perfectly, the sauce was super rich but did not overpower the delicate prawns, the rich texture actually made the prawns taste even more intense. It was a winning dish for me, I will be having it again for sure.

• We also enjoyed some fluffy Steamed Rice with our dishes.

And the creativity goes beyond food – the drinks menu is just as inventive. Our particular highlight was Jaani Shikangi (Indian Spiced Lemonade); now this is such a unique flavour, it is homemade using a spice mix with mint, lime, lemon, and lemonade. I would definitely recommend you try this when you visit. It is super unusual and you just want to keep drinking it.

Chakh Dhoom isn’t just about food; it is a whole vibe

I do have a soft spot for this restaurant since we attended their soft launch and got to sample their menu around a year ago.

The food is always stunning here, and they really elevate some of the street food dishes we’re used to, to another level.

The food really matches the whole vibe of the restaurant. The place is beautifully decorated in a classic style, while hinting at the street food character of some of the dishes, with some really interesting art pieces and posters. Wherever you sit, there is something interesting to look at.

And the staff need a separate mention because they really make you feel welcome. You won’t see them without a smile. Every time we go, we seem to be looked after by Richard – so a shoutout to him!

Why we keep coming back

In their own words, ‘Chakh means To Taste, and Dhoom means Smoke’. When the freshest and most flavoursome native spices and ingredients come together with age-old cooking techniques, melding and searing, what comes out is nothing but magic.

And I have to agree that this place has a bit of magic about it; it serves the most wholesome dishes based on authentic recipes passed on from generations, showcasing the rich flavours and traditions that make up the heart of Indian cooking, something we are huge fans of. And they do so in such an elegant, elevated way. I can only describe this place as hearty, wholesome fine dining, which is so rare to find.

This place is definitely worth a try, and so it would be perfect place to bring your Valentine’s date; they will definitely be impressed!

Location

Chakh Dhoom is located at 127 Osborne Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 2TB, and just a 5-minute walk from West Jesmond Metro Station. There is also on-street parking available at the front (but do check the permit times as it is not always free).

Tips for visiting

• Gift vouchers are available if you would like to surprise someone with the gift of gorgeous food.
• For authentic Indian street food dining experience, the food here is served as and when it’s ready or altogether.
• Chakh Dhoom is an Indian street food carnival, so be prepared to try new dishes, and see your favourites elevated to a fine dining level.
• The food here is perfect for sharing – we love to order a range of dishes and share them tapas-style.
• Do try their drinks; the homemade mocktails in particular are my go-to – so so delish and the taste is super inventive.

Reviews

Since its opening in December 2023, Chakh Dhoom has received outstanding reviews (4.9 out of 5 rating based on 1,051 reviews on Google, with 900 five-star ratings, and a perfect 5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor).

Best for: authentic Indian food, fine dining, Indian food in Newcastle,Authentic Indian street food meets fine dining at Chakh Dhoom

Link

For any menu updates and to see more of the gorgeous food pics, check out their website here, and their socials here.

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram@ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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