Dean Briyani Hyderabad was one of the first restaurants I shared in Johor Kaki blog back in 2012. Six years on, I can't remember the details of Dean Briyani except for fond memories of how much I enjoyed it. So when Dean invited me to drop by his restaurant, I thought it was timely to revisit.
Dean Briyani Hyderabad is located in Kompleks Perumahan TNB, the staff quarters of the national power company in Kempas, Johor Bahru. When you are here, inform the security guard at the entrance that you are going for "Dean Briyani" and they will let you in.
Drive straight ahead for about 200 metres and you will see the community hall on your right. Dean Briyani Hyderabad is at the hall.
The interior is spacious and airy. Furnishings are simple, the ambiance is casual and relaxed - it's like a staff canteen but with only one stall.
The Briyani Kambing at RM14. Can't see the lamb as it was buried under the colourful mound of rice.
I love Dean's briyani rice. It's made with good quality, long grain basmati rice. The grains were light, fluffy and almost free of starch so they have a subtle, almost nutty crunch. The rice had just the right moistness and was not
The grains were well infused with aromatic and flavourful spices. The taste profile was complex yet well balanced. The spices have a mild spicy kick that come slightly delayed and lingered pleasantly for just a short while.
This was the most flavourful basmati rice that I have tasted in my memory.
The lamb came with bone in, cartilage and a little meat.
There was a bit of meat, some cartilage and a long bone. But, the tender juicy meat was well infused with complex spice flavours which were robust. Each bite released a nice perfume to please our nose and a flood of well balanced flavours to indulge taste buds. There was a subtle natural lamb gaminess which I love. I like this lamb also because it had more spicy kick than other briyani meat in my memory.
I wish there was more meat. Give me the same perfumed lamb in meaty chunks and I am in foodie heaven already.
My wish for more perfumed meat is answered by Dean's signature lamb shank. It's now RM41 a pop, up from RM22 when I last had it in 2012.
Plenty of tender, juicy meat in the lamb shin with visceral tendon which became gelatin by stewing in spices.
I tried also the briyani chicken. The meat was tender and juicy, but the flavour leaned slightly on the salty side. Next time, I shall request for the thigh as I like more meat 😄
When you are at Dean's, remember to order their masala tea (price RM3.50). This was the most loaded perfumed tea - heavy with hand grounded spices - that I can remember. Stir well and enjoy it like a traditional Chinese herbal tea, except that this is much more flavoursome and tasty.
Then, wash it all down with a freshly pressed ice cold kedongdong asam boi (RM5). It tasted zesty sour with a bit of saltiness from preserved lime at the bottom.
Owner chef Dean runs the restaurant with wife Aidah.
Dean loves to cook and he had been cooking for his family since he was a boy of 12 while his parents were busy at work. He learnt the nasi briyani recipes from his dad which was passed down from Dean's grandmother.
Dean does all the cooking at the restaurant while staff does the finishing and serving.
👉 The best part of Dean Briyani Hyderabad is the blend of spices and basmati rice. It's the best I have tasted, in my memory. The flavours are robust, complex, yet well balanced. Quite spicy in an enjoyable way. The flavours and aroma well infused in the fluffy basmati rice burst out with every bite. Non greasy too. I can eat this everyday 😄
Restaurant name: Dean Briyani Hyderabad
Address: Kompleks Perumahan TNB (TNB Staff Quarters Clubhouse), Taman Kempas, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/t1i0N
GPS: 1.534962,103.711254
Waze: Dean Hyderabad Briyani
Tel: 016 7558 885
Hours: 11:30am to 4:00pm (closed on Sunday)
Halal
Date visited: 3 Sep 2012, 19 Mar 2018
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Can I get the price listing for the restaurant?
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