Kaani Kaana, a Bangladeshi and Indian takeaway with three branches in Essex, was crowned the nation's favourite takeaway at this year's Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), marking its third win in four years. Content editor Samantha Masters put the award-winning restaurant to the test, sampling butter chicken and tandoori king prawns with garlic naan and pilau rice.
The food
The butter chicken, slow-cooked in a velvety, delicately spiced gravy, was an absolute standout. Mild, creamy and finished with a dusting of almond and coconut, it was wonderfully rich in flavour without being too heavy. The portion size was generous, with a great balance of meat and sauce.
The tandoori king prawns were another highlight, juicy with a subtle spice marinade, though slightly charred around the edges. They were served with an optional vegan house mint sauce that paired beautifully with the dish.
The garlic naan, topped with fresh coriander, was delicious but slightly let down by its temperature and a touch undercooked. The pilau rice was perfectly adequate but lacked flavour on its own, coming into its own when combined with the butter chicken.
Value for money
The food represented excellent value, with first-time customers receiving a 10 per cent discount. With the offer, the total came to £41.77. The tandoori king prawns were the most expensive dish at £16.95, followed by the butter chicken at £12.95. The garlic naan cost £4.50 and pilau rice £4.75. A minimum spend of £18 is required for delivery, with an additional £2.75 delivery fee.
One small issue
Unsurprisingly, the takeaway proved enormously popular on a Friday evening, particularly given its recent award. This meant an understandable wait for the food, which had been clearly flagged when placing the order online. The food arrived after an hour's wait and wasn't quite as piping hot as hoped, though the temperature did little to take the shine off the flavour.
Verdict
Despite a couple of hiccups with the temperature and rice, the quality of the main courses made for a thoroughly enjoyable meal. Samantha Masters rated the order 8.5/10, summing it up as delicious, generous and affordable.
Founder Sadiq Ahmed, who established the restaurant in Chelmsford in 2022 before branching out to Upminster and Buckhurst Hill, described the latest achievement as "incredibly special". Speaking to the Romford Recorder, he said: "As an owner, you always have that thought in the back of your mind - are we doing enough and should we be doing more? Moments like this reassure us that the hard work, care and high standards our team delivers every single day are making a real difference. Winning once is an incredible achievement. Winning three times tells us that we are building something consistent and special. However, it also brings greater responsibility - our customers will rightly expect even more from us, and we are determined to continue improving."
