City Secrets: Chai La Is The First Place In Pune Selling Tandoori Chai

We are all familiar with masala, kadak and adrak Chai, but Chai La in Kharadi is making something out of the box known as the Tandoori Chai, and we have got the deets.

We agree it’s kind of hot, and tea or chai, isn’t the aptest beverage to cool you down, but when you come across Tandoori Chai, you tend to make an exception. Located in a by-lane of Kharadi, opposite Zensar building is this small joint making Tandoori Chai. Being the first place in the city to do so, the concept is unique and has been pulling crowds ever since.

What is this Tandoori Chai? Well, earthen drinking clay pots or kullhads are kept in a burning tandoor to char and get roasted. Pre-made, semi-cooked tea is then poured into one of the extremely hot clay pots and what follows  is magic, worthy of many Instagram-able videos; the chai is let to bubble over as it finishes cooking. It’s the hot clay pot that lends the chai its smoky flavour. Once it has done its job, the chai is then poured into another clean clay pot and served.

You can also pair it up with a side of Bun Maska or Bun Maska jam. The chai is milky with subtle hints of smokiness, we also detected some spices added to the chai, the owner refused to share the recipe as it’s a closely guarded family secret.

If you’re not a chai drinker then you can opt for a Tandoori coffee. What we love is that by using earthen pots he is making a difference to the environment by recycling the clay pots. Chai La is soon going to open in Chandan Nagar and Viman Nagar.

Where: Willtec House, Near Texas Towers, Opposite Zensar Kharadi
When: 6 am to 11 pm
Price: Rs 20
Contact: 8390408080