LAFeature
photo credit: Holly Liss
Full disclosure: We’ve been massive fans of Al-Noor for over a decade now, and firmly believe this tiny, family-run spot in Lawndale is home to some of the best Indian and Pakistani food in LA. Only a few miles down the road from LAX, it was the place we started thinking about the second the pilot announced our plane’s initial descent, and where our Lyft drivers sped off to the second we hopped into the car (back when either of those were still things). Dining in at Al-Noor was certainly a great experience, but takeout was always its strength.
Al-Noor isn’t the kind of place you head to for modern twists or conceptual fusion dishes. This is a restaurant that excels at dishes like chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, and vegetarian qorma. And to be sure, they will be among the best versions you’ll ever eat in LA.
If you’re looking for more of our favorite takeout spots, check out Sapp Coffee Shop, Marouch, and Myung Dong Kyoja.
What to Order
photo credit: Holly Liss
Chicken Tikka Masala - Simply put, this is a tikka masala that’ll make you realize you’ve been wasting your time eating any other version. Rich and creamy, with the perfect balance of sweetness, we’d drive an hour to eat this dish - and so should you.
photo credit: Holly Liss
Garlic Naan - You could come to Al-Noor simply for the garlic naan. Smothered in herbs and cooked on the side of a piping hot tandoor oven, plan to order several of these, or risk a week of the silent treatment from your spouse for eating the last one.
photo credit: Holly Liss
Lamb Palak - In general, the lamb at Al-Noor is a standout, and our go-to protein in almost any dish. That said, we love it most in the palak. The combination of the light, fatty lamb mixed with the sweetness of the pureed spinach curry is the kind of flavor profile we’ll gladly lose sleep over.
photo credit: Holly Liss
Qorma - This onion-based curry has a much softer flavor than other dishes on Al-Noor’s menu, but it’s still absolutely worth ordering. You can get it with chicken or lamb, but we actually prefer the vegetable-heavy nauratan version the most.
Suggested Reading
28 great options for Indian and Pakistani takeout and delivery.
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Why you should order takeout from Sapp Coffee Shop tonight, and what you should get at this classic Thai Town spot.