The Taj Cafe Menu
The Taj Cafe in Ventura, CA offers a diverse menu of Indian cuisine with vegan and gluten-free options. From savory samosas and aloo tikki to flavorful lamb and chicken frankies, each dish is packed with exotic spices and authentic flavors. Customers rave about the cozy ambiance, prompt service, and generous portions that make dining here a delightful experience. Must-try dishes include the malai kofta, aloo saag, and vindaloo with spicy garlic naan. The cardamom rice pudding dessert is a sweet ending to a satisfying meal. Whether dining in or enjoying takeout, The Taj Cafe promises a memorable culinary journey through traditional Indian dishes. Make sure to pair your meal with a refreshing ginger lemonade or a selection from their beer and wine options. The Taj Cafe is not just a place to eat; it's an immersive dining experience that will leave you craving more.
Savouries
Samosas
The very popular Indian snacks are vegetarian turnovers stuffed with potatoes, green peas and exotic spices. Served with homemade tamarind chutney. Vegan. Contains wheat.
Aloo Tikki
Indian latke! topped with chopped onions, tamarind, and tangy spices. Vegan. Contains wheat.
Bhel Puri
Puffed rice (like rice cereal) onions, potatoes, sev, cilantro, and crushed crisp wheat crackers tossed together with two chutneys. Vegan. Contains wheat.
Onion Bhaji
Onions fritters in garbanzo flour batter seasoned with ginger and spices served with sweet tomato chutney. Vegan.
Mix Vegi Pakoras
Spinach, cauliflower and potatoes mixed together and cooked in a light garbanzo flour marinade. Served with sweet tomato chutney. Vegan.
Chicken Pakoras
Garbanzo-flour marinated all white meat fritters.
Fish Pakoras
Fresh fish of the day in bite size pieces cooked in our garbanzo-flour batter. Served with sweet tomato chutney.
Shrimp Pakoras
Black tiger shrimp fried in garbanzo flour batter.
Mushroom Bhaji
Mushroom fritters seasoned with ginger and spices served with tomato chutney. Vegan.
Uttapam
Some call it "Indian pizza". Very popular South Indian griddle cake made from rice and lentil flour. Served with coconut chutney. Topped with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and green chili. Vegan.
Chutney Sampler
Variety of freshly made chutneys.
Shrimp Bhel
Mildly marinated tiger shrimp tossed with puffed rice,
Samosa chaat
samosa topped with kabuli chana(flavoured garbanzos) yogurt ,chutneys and a blend of six spices...
Mirchi chicken
Spicy herb marinated chicken grilled in Tandoori Clay Oven.
Garlic chicken
Mild Garlic saffron marinated grilled in Tandoori Clay oven
Chicken Soup
Mild delicious homemade soup made from scratch flavored with onions, ginger, garlic and spices. Garnished with rice, spinach and tomatoes.
Sambar-Lentil Soup
Mildly spiced South Indian style soup with coconut and mustard aroma. Vegan.
Mulligatawny Soup
A unique mixture of sambar with chicken soup.
Chicken Salad
Tandoori grilled chicken, sauteed mushrooms, homemade cheese cubes served on a bed of romaine lettuce, with tomatoes and cucumbers in our homemade dressing.
Fish Salad
Tandoor grilled white Fish, sauteed mushrooms, and homemade cheese cubes over bed of Romaine Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and homemade dressing.
Shrimp Salad
Tandoor grilled shrimp, sauteed mushrooms, and homemade cheese cubes.
Vegetarian Salad
Pan tossed mushrooms, Indian cheese and eggplant in a light marinade served on a bed of romaine lettuce with tomatoes and cucumbers tossed in our homemade dressing.
Fresh Green Salad
Fresh romaine lettuce with cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in our homemade dressing. Vegan.
Soup and Salads
Bombay Frankies
Lamb Frankie
Stuffed with lamb, cooked in a special sauce. Contains wheat.
Chicken Frankie
Stuffed with chicken, cooked in tomatoes, onions, ginger, ground spices. Contains wheat.
Cauliflower Frankie
Stuffed with gobi aloo. Contains wheat.
Mix Veg Frankie
Stuffed with Mixed Vegetables, chutney and marinated onions. Contains wheat.
Mixed Vegetable
Fresh carrots, cauliflower, potatoes and green peas, cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger and spices. Vegan.
Mix Vegetable Korma
Mix Vegetables cooked in a mild creamy yellow sauce cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and fenugreek spice. With light cashews and raisins.
Mix Vegetable Coconut Curry
Mix Vegetables cooked in a mildly sweet coconut sauce with aromatic spices.
Baingan Bartha
A puree of tandoor baked eggplant and sauted with onions, fresh tomatoes, ginger and spices. Vegan.
Kabuli Chholay
Indian Garbanzo beans cooked with browned onions, ginger, garlic and tomatoes. Vegan.
Aloo Matar
Potatoes and green peas in a homemade sauce with tomatoes, ginger, green chili and herbs. Vegan.
Saag Paneer
Pureed spinach leaves and homemade Indian cheese.
Gobi Aloo
Cauliflower and potatoes sauteed with tomatoes, ginger, green chili, ground coriander, turmeric and cumin seeds. Vegan.
Saag Aloo
Pureed spinach leaves and potatoes with onion, ginger, garlic and spices.
Saffron Paneer
Homemade Indian cheese with mushrooms in a tomato saffron sauce.
Shahi Paneer
Homemade Indian cheese with nuts and raisins in a very special creamy onion base sauce.
Makhani Paneer
Homemade Indian cheese cooked in tomato base creamy sauce with a blend of 6 spices.
Matar Paneer
Homemade Indian cheese and green peas cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic.
Mango Paneer
Indian cheese cubes in a mild creamy, sweet tomato sauce.
Black Dal
Combination of Black and Chana yellow lentils cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic. Vegan.
Dal Makhni
Black and yellow lentils with kidney beans cooked with onions, tomatoes , ginger, garlic. A mild slightly creamy delicious Dal.
Tadka Dal
Yellow lentils freshly sauteed, garlic, tomatoes, cumin and spices.
Malai kofta
Mixed vegetable dumplings in a special creamy sauce
Tofu masala
Special masala sauce with Tofu.
Mango Tofu Mushroom
Firm Tofu and Mushrooms in a sweet tomato base mango sauce.
Vegetarian Entrees (Does Not Include Rice)
Non-Vegetarian Curries (Does Not Include Rice)
Chicken Curry
Boneless pieces of chicken in a traditional sauce made from tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and ground spices.
Chicken Makhani/Butter Chicken
Boneless tandoor grilled chicken in a creamy tomato sauce with a blend of 6 spices.
Spicy Vindaloo Chicken
Our spicy specialty from Agra cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, vinegar and lime juice.
Spicy Vindaloo Lamb Curry
Our spicy specialty from Agra cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, vinegar and lime juice.
Spicy Vindaloo Fish Curry
Our spicy specialty from Agra cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, vinegar and lime juice.
Spicy Vindaloo Shrimp Curry
Our spicy specialty from Agra cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, vinegar and lime juice.
Lamb Makhani
Boneless tandoor cooked lamb in a creamy tomato sauce with a blend of 6 spices.
Lamb Curry
Boneless pieces of lamb cooked in a dark traditional sauce made from tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and ground spices.
Fish Curry
Garlic sauteed fresh Salmon in a sauce made with ginger, onions, tomatoes and lime juice.
Shrimp Curry
Pan tossed black tiger shrimp in a sauce made with ginger, onions, tomatoes and lime juice.
Dhansak Chicken Curry
Zesty curry cooked with lentils, ginger, onions, tomatoes, garlic and 6 spices.
Dhansak Lamb Curry
Zesty curry cooked with lentils, ginger, onions, tomatoes, garlic and 6 spices.
Tandoori Chicken
Our special tandoori chicken is marinated overnight in a special sauce with yogurt and spices.
Chicken Tikka
Boneless pieces of chicken marinated with ginger, garlic, cilantro and spices.
Spicy Mirchi Chicken
Boneless pieces of chicken marinated overnight in spicy herbs and grilled in Tandoori Oven.
Mild Garlic Chicken Tikka
Boneless pieces of Chicken marinated in Mild Garlic, saffron, yogurt based sauce and grilled in Tandoori Oven.
Fish Tikka
Marinated White Fish, Tandoor grilled.
Salmon Tikka
Marinated and Tandoor grilled.
Tandoori Shrimp
Marinated jumbo shrimp.
Lamb Seekh
Lean minced ground Lamb mixed with minced onions, mint, cilantro, green chilies and spices.
Lamb Tikka
Boneless Tender cubes of marinated leg of lamb perfectly done.
Taj Special
Big meat platter. A sampler of tandoori items includes: chicken tikka, lamb tikka, tandoori chicken, lamb seekh and tandoori shrimp. Served with garlic naan.
Tandoori Entrees (Does Not Include Rice)
Masala Specialities (Does Not Include Rice)
Chicken Tikka Masala
The most popular masala dish.
Lamb Tikka Masala
Boneless lamb chunks in masala sauce.
Shrimp Masala
Tiger shrimp tandoori with masala marinated sauce.
Fish Tikka Masala
Marinated fresh Fish in masala sauce.
Mushroom Masala
Mushrooms cooked in masala sauce.
Aloo tofu Masala
Bite size potatoes and tofu in delicious masala sauce.
Masala Sauce
The Yummy Masala Sauce by itself is great over Rice or with Naans.
Vegetable Coconut Curry
Mix vegetables cooked in a Mild delicious , little sweet and savoury Coconut Curry sauce.
Chicken Coconut Curry
Boneless pieces of chicken cooked in a Mild delicious , little sweet and savoury Coconut Curry sauce.
Lamb Coconut Curry
Boneless Leg of Lamb cooked in a Mild delicious , little sweet and savoury Coconut Curry sauce.
Fish Coconut Curry
White Fish cooked in a Mild delicious , little sweet and savoury Coconut Curry sauce.
Shrimp Coconut Curry
Tiger Shrimps cooked in a Mild delicious , little sweet and savoury Coconut Curry sauce.
Coconut Curries- Best Seller
Taj's Exclusive (Does Not Include Rice)
Saffron Chicken
Very delicious mild chicken saffron infused creamy tomato sauce.
Saffron Lamb
Very delicious mild lamb saffron infused creamy tomato sauce.
Saffron Fish
Very delicious mild fish in saffron infused creamy tomato sauce.
Saffron Shrimp
Very delicious mild saffron infused creamy tomato and onion gravy sauce.
Agra Chicken
Chicken first poached with ginger, onion, green chili and spices, then sauted with dry mango powder, coriander and cayenne.
Mango Chicken
Boneless grilled chicken in a mild creamy lightly sweet mango sauce.
Mango Lamb
Boneless grilled lamb in a mild creamy lightly sweet mango sauce.
Mango Fish
Boneless mild fish in a creamy sweet and mango sauce.
Mango Shrimp
Boneless grilled shrimp in a mild creamy sweet and tangy mango sauce.
Saagwala Chicken
Pureed spinched and seasoned chicken cooked with onions, ginger, garlic fresh ground spices.
Saagwala Lamb
Pureed spinched and seasoned lamb cooked with onions, ginger, garlic fresh ground spices.
Saagwala Fish
Pureed spinach and seasoned fish cooked with onions, ginger, garlic fresh ground spices.
Saagwala Shrimp
Pureed spinach and seasoned shrimp cooked with onions, ginger, garlic fresh ground spices.
Masala Dosa
A South Indian vegetarian specialty. It is a crispy crepe made of rice and lentil flour, stuffed with mildly spiced potatoes. Served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Chicken Korma
Bite size Chicken pieces in a delicious creamy curry sauce with Nuts and Raisins.
Lamb Korma
Bite size Lamb pieces in a delicious creamy curry sauce with Nuts and Raisins.
Fish Korma
Bite size Lamb pieces in a delicious creamy curry sauce with Nuts and Raisins.
Shrimp Korma
Black Tiger Shrimps in a delicious creamy curry sauce with Nuts and Raisins.
Korma Specialities (Does Not Include Rice)
Thali Combinations
Curry Special
Your choice of chicken or lamb curry served with dal (lentils), basmati rice, naan and raita.
Tandoori Special
Your choice of chicken tikka or tandoori chicken served with Mix Veg Korma, Garlic naan, rice pulao and raita.
Vegetarian Combo
Your choice of any two vegetables served with basmati rice, lentils, naan, and raita.
White Rice
Basmati with natural aroma and flavor, simply steamed. Vegan.
Brown Pullao
Fresh vegetables - seasoned brown rice. Vegan.
Pullao Rice
Basmati prepared with chef's selection of fresh ingredients. Vegan.
Vegetable Biryani
Basmati prepared with cooked mixed vegetables, nuts and raisins and curry spices.
Chicken Biryani
Basmati prepared with flavorful chicken, nuts and raisins and curry spices.
Lamb Biryani
Basmati prepared with curry, flavorful lamb, nuts and raisins.
Cumin Rice
Basmati rice tossed with roasted cumin. Vegan.
Lemon Rice
Basmati Rice cooked with light mustard seeds, light cashews, turmeric spices and lemon juice
Basmati Rice
Breads
Poora
Garbanzo flour bread. Gluten-free and vegan.
Plain Dosa
Rice and lentil flour bread. Gluten-free and vegan.
Naan
The classic lightly leavened bread made with white flour. Contains wheat.
Cheese Naan
Naan stuffed with cheese. Kids love it. Contains wheat.
Garlic Naan
Naan topped with chopped garlic and cilantro. Contains wheat.
Garlic Cheese Naan
Naan filled with cheeses, topped with garlic and cilantro. Contains wheat.
Onion Naan
Naan filled with grated onions and flavorful masala. Contains wheat.
Aloo Naan
Mildly spiced potato stuffed naan. Contains wheat.
Paratha
Multi-layered whole wheat bread. Contains wheat.
Aloo Paratha
Whole wheat bread stuffed with grated spiced potatoes and served with mango chutney. Contains wheat.
Tandoori Roti
An unleavened whole wheat bread. Contains wheat.
Lamb Naan
Naan filled with flavorful ground lamb and served with mango chutney. Contains wheat.
Chicken Naan
Naan filled with minced tandoori chicken and served with mango chutney. Contains wheat.
Pishori Naan
Sweet naan stuffed with nuts and raisins. Contains wheat.
Garlic Chilli Naan
Naan topped with green chilies, cilantro. Spicy. Contains wheat.
Butter Naan
Naan stuffed with butter. Contains wheat.
Papadums
Gluten free vegan crispy lentil flour Bread .
Bathura
Deep fried Indian bread goes good with all dishes specifically with Chana masala or kabuli cholay
Chutneys
Translated as relish or salsa; no Indian meal is complete without at least one. You can opt for Chutney sampler in Appetizer section.
Acharr
Indian vegetable, pickles intensely flavored with spices and salt.
Kachumber
Chopped cucumbers, red onions, cilantro, tomatoes, with a splash of lime juice.
Raita
Homemade yogurt with cucumbers, carrots and onions.
Onions, Pickles and Chili
Vegan.
Condiments
Beverages
Ginger Lemonade
Very refreshing homemade lemonade with a ginger pinch.
Mango Lassi
A yummy combination of mango and homemade yogurt.
Strawberry Lassi
Homemade yogurt with Strawberry flavor
Sweet Lassi
Sweet homemade yogurt drink with a rose aroma.
Masala Chai
Indian hot tea with spice and milk.
Coffee
Indian Iced Tea
Made from Indian tea leaves with flavorful spices. Served with sweet milk on the side.
Soda Still Mineral Water
Raj's Favorite
Mint flavored iced tea with fresh homemade lemon-ginger syrup. Very refreshing.
Indian Hot Coffee
Delicious Milky Coffee freshly brewed with imported indian Coffee
Indian Iced Coffee
Delicious milky coffee freshly brewed with imported Indian Coffee.
Kheer
Indian rice pudding with flavor of green cardamom.
Gajjar Halwa
Carrot pudding made with golden raisins and almonds.
Gulab Jamun
Milk balls in a rose flavored syrup.
Kulfis
Mouth-watering homemade ice creams, mango, rose, pistachio.
Desserts
Special of day
Rack of lamb
Marinated Rack of Lamb chops, Tandoor grilled and served with Pillai rice, garlic naan and vegetable Korma and Raita sauce.
