Mr Biryani

Mr Biryani is an Indian restaurant at 11 Chander Road in Little India. Biryani is the main event here, cooked in the Hyderabadi dum style. The menu also covers curries, naan and other well-known Indian dishes.

Chef Govinda Rajan founded Mr Biryani in late 2017. Before that, he worked in operations at five-star hotels in Singapore. The first shop was on nearby Norris Road. The Chander Road restaurant opened in late 2021 and is larger, with more room for groups. There is now a second branch in Siglap, in the east of the island.

What to order

Start with the biryani. In the dum method, marinated raw meat goes into the pot first, and part-cooked rice is layered on top. The pot is sealed, often with a strip of dough, and the trapped steam cooks everything together. The rice takes on the spices and comes out light and fragrant.

There are more than 20 kinds of biryani to choose from, such as:

• Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani, a popular first choice
• Boneless mutton biryani and mutton keema biryani
• Prawn biryani and boneless fish biryani
• Paneer, jackfruit and brinjal biryani for vegetarians (brinjal is aubergine)

The biryani is topped with mint, coriander and fried onions. Add raita, a cool yoghurt dip, to calm the spice. To go with it, try a vegetable kurma, a bhindi (okra) dish or butter chicken with naan. Chicken 65, a spicy fried chicken starter from South India, is on the menu too.

If these dishes are new to you, our list of dishes to try in Little India explains the basics.

The setting

The Chander Road dining room is casual and roomy. It is good for a filling lunch or an easy dinner, and it handles groups well. The team also offers delivery and catering, with large trays of biryani for parties and office meals.

Good to know before you go

• Spice: the recipes are adjusted a little for local tastes, but many dishes are still spicy. Ask about heat levels when you order.
• Portions: plates are generous. For a group, order a few biryanis and sides to share.
• Bookings: you can reserve through the official website or Chope, which helps for bigger groups.
• Dietary needs: there are several vegetarian biryanis and vegetable sides.

Nearby

Mr Biryani sits on a quiet side street in the middle of Little India, so it pairs well with a walk around the area. Little India MRT station is a few minutes away on foot. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road, and read our tips on temple etiquette in Little India before you go. For shopping, Mustafa Centre is within walking distance.

For more Indian food close by, try Gayatri Restaurant or Lagnaa Barefoot Dining. You can also browse all Indian restaurants in Singapore or every restaurant in Little India and Jalan Besar.