September 2025 – Looks like Noor Tandoori could be my first port of call next time in Brussel, unless Chilli Grill is open.
The last day of this short trip to België finds Hector and Dr. Stan in Brussel. Flight times and prices truncates Hector’s trip, The Good Doctor has an extra day. Eurostar has long been his thing, with all flights appreciably more this year, the Hector may well come to regard train as the better option to getting to this part of Europe.
As stated above, Noor Tandoori (Rue de Fiennes 42, Anderlecht, Koninkrijk België) was indeed not the first option, Chilli Grill has long been the #1 choice on any visit to Brussel, today, Google Maps had them opening at 16.00, way too late.
I led Dr. Stan through Brussel-Zuid to Anderlecht, arriving at Noor Tandoori just after 14.00. No sign of Jahanzaib who, last September, eventually brought me an impressive Desi Qorma after presenting a Chicken Karahi, declined immediately.
Today, a new host, who pointed to the modest array of tureens along the left wall, a Buffet. Modest array? After the Iftar Buffet at The Village (Glasgow), all Buffet must be regarded as such. He was keen that we try the Buffet, Naan was included.
Before committing ourselves, we went up to study the Dishes at the counter. In all my travels, this must be the largest array of ready-Curry, ever encountered. There is something here for everyone, just make sure you clarify Chicken, Mutton or otherwise, at the point of ordering. Dr. Stan spotted the Haleem, I had to advise, stay clear. It’s not for us.
Mutton Korma (€12.00) is on the menu, a new layout since last time, but seemingly the same prices. That remained my objective for today. I studied the Buffet (€20.00), – modest – indeed, but one offering stood out. The Lamb on-the-bone, sat in a classic Desi Shorva, was too much to resist. We could eat this to our fill? Sold!
Tandoori Chicken / Basmati
Chana Masala / Chicken Curry (A)
Chicken Curry (B)
Mutton on-the-bone
Chicken Biryani / Gajrela
Taking the same spot as last time, why I always do this even puzzles me, I let Dr. Stan go up first.
He came back with a diverse range, Buffet does this.
Half of his plate was the Chicken Biryani, then a Soupçon of Chicken Curry (B) and the Desi Lamb.
The Hector was way more circumspect, the Rice was carefully separated from the Chicken and thus withdrawn from the Biryani. Flavoured Rice, yes please, no need for the Chicken. I deliberately took as much Mutton on-the-bone as possible, no need to worry about the bone count when it’s Buffet. I then smothered the Rice with an elegant sufficiency of the Shorva-Masala. Then, a moment of weakness. The – Red – should have put me off, it did the opposite. The Tandoori Chicken, the only Starter in the array proved to be too tempting, the Thick Spice coating. Not content with one, I took two pieces.
Eating Chicken means less space for Lamb.
Moments after I returned to the table, Mein Host brought the promised Naan, two of.
Last time I had to let my Naan go cold as I waited for my replacement Curry. This time, they were appreciated to the full.
Round, served whole, risen, puffy, big burnt blisters, light, absolutely fantastic.
The Light Fantastic.
Why can Naan not be universally served this well?
Note: one Naan at Noor Tandoori – €1.50.
Dr. Stan immediately regretted having taken so much Rice. Apparently he hadn’t picked up that Naan was part of the deal. Two Naan, a challenge.
Before overwhelming the palate, I sampled the Biryani Rice. Well Flavoured, how I seek my Rice, a pity there was no Vegetable Biryani.
Vegetable Biryani is not on the menu at Noor Tandoori.
Time to go a dipping. The blast of Desi Flavours from the Shorva was instantaneous. To have just sat with this and the Naan could have been pleasure enough. Then there was the Mutton, a meat I have deliberately been curtailing the intake thereof. I knew my calendar, this weekend was looming.
Is it too early for Spring Lamb? – I asked Dr. Stan who possibly knows all. We then pondered as to how this Mutton could be so magnificent. Super Soft, and moist throughout the eating process. Marg has watched me take an eternity to finish a Lamb Curry when the last few pieces simply require infinite chewing, dryness can take over. Every piece was succulent, juicy, and giving back the Flavour from the Masala. Not since Kabana (Manchester) have I particularly noted this quality of Meat. With Sucky Bones aplenty, gnawing for fun, the pile of debris on the side of my plate was growing rapidly.
The Rice soaked Masala then came into its own, glad I took some. Great Flavours, the Spice Level steadily built, the Seasoning was as near as damn it, spot on.
Next, the Tandoori Chicken. The Hector had been totally distracted. Beneath the almost tasteless exterior was dry Meat offering next to nothing. If the palate had been saturated by the Gosht, then surely this further confirms that there are better things to put in a Curry.
Back for more, this time I spooned out the Boneless Mutton. A full portion of eight pieces, and more Masala to further smother the retained Biryani Rice.
A whole Clove, probably from the Rice, had me in raptures – Whole Spice!
This round of Curry took me back to the Glasgow Curry of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Curry then was a much coarser experience, today the Spice/Masala was catching the back of my throat, not in a reflux manner, but in an enjoyable way. One had to conclude, what lay before me was something outstanding, efficacous Desi Curry.
Mein Host was bringing in supplies and so passed us oft. He studied our progress but made no remarks. At other times, he was bringing non-Buffet creations to other customers. Maybe he had no time to chat?
Dr. Stan’s second plateful concentrated on the Mutton Curry. On seeing how much Bread was left, he went up for a third, mostly Shorva, for dipping. Between us, I was impressed by how much Naan we managed. But then this was the optimum time of day to eat.
Dr. Stan – the chicken was fine but didn’t absorb the masala at all, you’re quite right on that. The lamb was good, was a lovely blend of spices, I enjoyed that.
The Naan was as fresh as you can get, just right for soaking up all the masala.
I missed that the Naan was coming, else I wouldn’t have had any rice at all.
I suspect Dr. Stan will be back.
The Bill
€40.00 (£34.62)
No drinks? – asked Mein Host at payment.
None.
The Aftermath
With Noor Tandoori review #1 cued up on the Oppo, I started by showing Jahanzaib’s photo, that should engage Mein Host. Sadly, not the case. And so unlike Friday at Afghan Lemar (Brugge), I have nothing other to report other than Buffet is Sunday only and this was the standout Curry of the trip. Three diverse meals, two traditional, one Euro-Curry.
Chilli Grill shall always be option #1 when visiting Brussel, they also have what the Hector seeks, and their appreciative welcome acknowledges my sporadic visits. Dr. Stan is there way more often. But now we know, Noor Tandoori is open daily from 11.30, 10.00 at weekends, no messing about, and it’s only a short walk from Brussel-Zuid. Maybe Eurostar will allow more flexibility in planning and I can include both on every Brussel visit?
2026 Menu
