It is the undisputed king of all lentil dishes. Royal Kitchen serves the best dal makhani in Oakland, a luxurious, slow-cooked masterpiece made from whole black lentils, red kidney beans, butter, and cream. Often reserved for weddings and special occasions in India, we prepare this incredibly rich, comforting dish fresh every day. Searching for the best dal makhani delivery in Oakland? Order direct from our kitchen for zero fees and VIP prep.
“Makhani” translates to “buttery,” which tells you everything you need to know about this dish. Originating from the Punjab region, Dal Makhani was historically slow-cooked overnight over the dying embers of a wood fire. This slow, gentle heat broke down the tough skins of the black lentils (urad dal), creating a naturally creamy texture that was then enriched with pure butter and cream.
You cannot rush the most authentic dal makhani in Oakland. Our kitchen begins preparing this dish a day in advance. The lentils and kidney beans are soaked overnight, then slow-simmered for hours with tomato purée, ginger, and garlic until they begin to break down. We then finish the dish by aggressively mashing the lentils to release their starches, folding in butter and cream for that signature velvety mouthfeel.
Dal Makhani is famous for its mild, earthy, and buttery profile. It is the perfect comfort food and rarely served highly spiced. However, if you’d like a little chili kick to cut through the heavy cream, simply request it Spicy in the online order notes!
