Nepali Chiya Culture
Tandoori Chiya: The Smoky Tea Tea-Lovers Keep Talking About
Chiya Table · 9 Oct 2026
If you like your tea with a bit of drama, tandoori chiya is for you. It's one of those drinks people film, share and then come back for.
What is tandoori tea?
Tandoori tea starts as regular milk tea. The difference is in the finish: a small clay pot is heated until it's extremely hot, and the tea is poured into it. The tea sizzles, bubbles and foams as it hits the clay, then it's poured into a cup to serve.
The name comes from the tandoor, the clay oven used across South Asia. The idea is the same: very hot clay plus contact with food creates new flavours.
What does it taste like?
Most people describe tandoori tea as:
- Smoky and toasty, a little like the edge of a roasted chapati
- Earthy, from the hot clay
- Creamy, because the quick boil thickens the milk slightly
It's richer and more intense than a regular cup of chiya.
Tandoori tea vs matka tea
| Matka tea | Tandoori tea | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's made | Hot tea served in a clay cup | Tea poured into a scorching-hot clay pot |
| Flavour | Earthy aroma, smooth | Smoky, toasty, richer |
| Best for | A slow, comforting cup | Something bold and different |
Read more about matka chiya.
When to try it
Tandoori tea is at its best on cool mornings and evenings, when you want something that feels warming and a little special. It's also a fun drink to share with friends who have never tried it.
Try tandoori tea at Chiya Table
Our Tandoori Tea is Rs. 60, listed under "Matka & Tandoori" on our menu. We're on Kotdevi Marg, Kathmandu, open from 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Get directions here.