Tandoori momos take a pre-steamed momo and finish it off in a tandoor or on a hot grill, often after a quick dip in a spiced, slightly tangy marinade. The result is a momo with a smoky char on the outside and a burst of tangy, spiced flavour, quite different from the plain softness of a steamed momo or the crunch of a kurkure one.
The marinade usually leans on yogurt, red chilli, and a mix of tandoori spices, giving the momo a reddish colour and a flavour that's closer to tandoori paneer or tikka than a typical momo chutney base. It's a style that works well for people who find plain steamed momos a bit too mild, since the marinade and the char from grilling add a lot more punch.
That said, tandoori momos are a less common style compared to steamed and kurkure, partly because they require a tandoor or a very hot grill setup to get the char right, which not every kitchen is set up for. Steamed and kurkure remain the two dominant styles across Indore's momo scene, each easier to execute consistently at scale.
If tandoori style is what you're after, it's worth knowing that not every kitchen offers it, and it's usually worth checking the specific format available before ordering. The Quest Kitchen's momo range currently focuses on steamed and kurkure styles across paneer, veg, and cheese and corn fillings, all made fresh daily. If you're curious about the crunchy alternative, the kurkure momos page covers that in detail, and the full range can be browsed and ordered from TQK menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tandoori momos spicier than regular momos? Generally yes, since the marinade includes tandoori spices and chilli that give the momo more punch than a plain steamed version.
Do tandoori momos need a tandoor specifically? A tandoor gives the most authentic smoky char, but a very hot grill or oven can produce a similar effect, though the flavour won't be identical.
Is tandoori a common style in Indore? It's available in some places but is less common than steamed and kurkure, which remain the two most widely offered momo styles across the city.