When we sit down to enjoy authentic Indian dishes, there's usually a familiar rhythm to the moment. The warmth, the spice, the layered aromas, they often feel like home, even if we're miles away from the country where they began. But what makes these dishes stand out so much from other cuisines isn't just the ingredients. It's how they're treated, timed, and passed between generations.

Indian food has a way of holding memory. It's built from methods that take time and attention, not shortcuts. From traditional spice combinations to cooking styles that coax out every bit of flavour, the character of the food shows up long before it reaches the table. And for those of us lucky enough to cook or eat near Tower Bridge or London Bridge, the connection to real, rooted Indian food runs strong. Here's what we look out for when we think of what sets these dishes apart.

It Starts with the Spices

No matter which region a dish comes from, spice is almost always at the centre of it. But "spice" doesn't always mean "hot." In Indian cooking, we use a wide range of whole and ground spices that provide gentle warmth, earthiness, sweetness, or bitterness, depending on how and when they're used.

• Whole spices like cumin, mustard seed, cloves, and green cardamom often go into the pan before anything else. When heated in oil, they release aromas that form the base of the dish. It's a small step, but skipping it changes everything.

• So many of our dishes balance all five taste notes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy, in one go. Tamarind, yoghurt, fresh herbs, or amchur (dried mango powder) bring acidity. Toasted spices and slow-cooked onions create the edge of sweetness and depth.

• Spice blends aren't just for show. Garam masala, one of the most familiar ones, is normally added at the end rather than the start. It lifts the whole dish, giving it a finish that feels both familiar and surprising all at once.

This combination of steps, from blooming whole spices to layering in finishing notes, is why even basic versions of authentic Indian dishes carry such bold presence.

Cooking Methods That Go Beyond the Surface

How we cook the food matters just as much as what goes into it. Indian cooking leans on patience and technique more than flash or presentation. That's often where the deeper flavours come from.

• Tandoori-style cooking gets its distinct charred edges and smoky centre from the way the meat or vegetables are marinated and then flash-cooked in a clay oven. It brings out both spice and texture at once, something hard to duplicate any other way.

• Slow braising allows meats and lentils to soak up every part of the sauce they're cooked in. We often start dishes by cooking down onions, garlic, and tomatoes until they nearly melt. The protein or legumes are added after, given time to absorb everything.

• Food is rarely thrown into the pot all at once. Poultry might be marinated for hours, while the base sauce cooks in a separate pan with fresh ginger, garlic, and tempering spices. The combining comes later, when both elements are already halfway flavoured.

These styles aren't about speed, they're about depth. And that slow build turns a weekday dinner into something that still tastes layered long after the last bite.

We proudly feature a dedicated tandoor oven in the heart of the restaurant, ensuring each tandoori dish, from meats to breads, is authentically cooked and infused with signature smoky flavour.

Regional Roots Make a Difference

India's scale and history have shaped cooking in endless directions. A dish named the same in two parts of the country can taste wildly different. That's because local ingredients, climate, and customs all play a role in how food is prepared.

• Chicken curry in the north, especially in Punjab, often comes with a thicker, buttery sauce built on slow-cooked onions and cream or ghee. That same dish in Tamil Nadu may feature coconut milk, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and more heat from fresh chillies.

• Traditions run deep, and many come from home kitchens more than restaurants. What's used daily in Gujarat may never appear on a plate in Kolkata. That variety is exactly what gives authentic Indian dishes their wide range and keeps them so personal.

• Some regions are mostly vegetarian, while others cook game meats or fresh seafood often. The plates reflect what's around: mangoes in summer, mustard greens in winter, lentils across all seasons.

When we taste a familiar Indian dish near London Bridge or elsewhere, it helps to think about where it comes from. A bit of that region travels with every spoonful.

Our menu celebrates this diversity, with offerings influenced by different culinary regions of India, so regulars and newcomers can both discover new flavours and old favourites.

Everyday Ingredients, When Treated Right

It's not always the rare or expensive ingredients that make Indian food shine. Often, it's the everyday ones, used well and given their proper place in the kitchen.

• Ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger are used almost daily in Indian cooking. But they're rarely rushed. Onions get slowly browned to release their sweetness. Ginger and garlic are crushed fresh to stay sharp and bright.

• Lentils may seem like a simple base, but cooked gently with tempered spices and just the right finish of ghee or coriander leaves, they can feel richer than meals built on meat. Same for pilau, a rice dish that relies more on aroma and balance than extras.

• The same goes for yoghurt, chilli, and flour. What matters is how we handle them. A dusting of gram flour on fried snacks, or a lively spoonful of raita on the side, changes the shape of the whole plate.

Good food doesn't have to scream to be noticed. When we cook with care, even the most ordinary items can turn into something memorable.

Real Flavour, Lasting Impressions

At the end of the day, what defines authentic Indian food is the tradition, care, and time behind each plate (qualities that have been refined over decades at our Bermondsey, London restaurant). Whether you are sampling a classic curry or a tandoori speciality, you taste generations of skill in every dish.

Embark on a culinary journey that captures the essence of authentic Indian cuisine, as rich and diverse as the culture itself. If you're near London Bridge and yearning for flavors rooted in tradition and crafted with care, Tower Tandoori proudly offers some of the most authentic Indian dishes you'll ever experience. Each meal at our restaurant is a celebration of the skills passed down through generations, making every bite not just a dish but a story. Join us and savor the warmth and depth of true Indian flavors in the heart of London.