Definition & Meaning of "tandoor"

Tandoor

a cylindrical oven, often made of clay or metal, commonly used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine for baking bread

What is a "tandoor"?

A tandoor is a traditional cylindrical clay or metal oven used for cooking food, especially bread and meats, in various cuisines, notably Indian, Pakistani, and Central Asian. It features a rounded interior with a small fire at the bottom, typically fueled by wood or charcoal, which heats the walls of the oven. Food is cooked by skewering it and placing it inside the tandoor, where it cooks quickly at high temperatures, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor and a charred, crispy exterior. Tandoors are known for their ability to produce tender and flavorful dishes, including naan bread, tandoori chicken, kebabs, and other grilled delicacies.

Example

The clay tandoor in the kitchen is fired up early in the morning to prepare for lunch service.

Guests enjoyed watching the skilled chef bake flatbreads in the tandoor during the cooking demonstration.

The family gathered around the tandoor in the backyard, eagerly awaiting the delicious aroma of freshly baked naan and sizzling tandoori dishes for their weekend barbecue.

The restaurant's specialty is its freshly baked naan cooked in a traditional tandoor oven.