Clay Oven Indian Cuisine Menu – Irvine, CA

Type : Indian restaurant

Location : Irvine, CA

The cuisine at the Clay Oven is about transforming tradition and old techniques while retaining the flavor profile to make them relevant to the present times and lifestyle. For the past 35 years we have consistently attempted to modernize and add interest to our dishes keeping the Ayurvedic principles intact. Food progresses and changes over time in presentation, technique and tastes and we consistently attempt to move Indian cuisine forward into the present. Food and recipes from the 60’s and 70’s India are seen on restaurant menus worldwide, while the menus and plates of the present food culture in India are underrepresented, as is the evolution.

Eatery offers curries & regional Indian dishes, plus Thanksgiving tandoori turkeys. Based on 201 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.0 stars. Price $$

Clay Oven Indian Cuisine 92604

Address:
4250 Barranca Pkwy Suite L, Irvine, CA 92604

Phone: (949) 552-2851

Website: http://www.clayovenirvine.com/

Social Profile:

Menu

Main Menu
Tandoor-Roasted Avocado
Tilden Ranch Reed avocado, Dukkah spice, with Sourdough Naan
$12.00
Goat Cheese Samosas
Humboldt Fog, roasted peppers. 4 pieces
$16.00
Alu Tikki
Potato patty, farm spinach, seasonal vegetables, 4 pieces
$9.00
Feta Naan
Fresh naan filled with soft Feta cheese
$9.00
PEI Mussels
Fresh PEI Mussels in a saffron broth with a punch of South Indian spices
$14.00
Merguez Naan
Naan stuffed with spiced Merguez lamb
$10.00
Tandoori Bone Marrow
House-pickled vegetables, with sourdough naan
$18.00
Turmeric Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, all-natural marinade, spices
$16.00
Chicken Tikka
Jidori chicken breast marinated with yogurt and fresh herbs
$21.00
Black Cobra Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, Black Cobra chili marinade
$18.00
Tandoori Lamb Chops
Succulent double chops
$38.00
Swordfish Tandoori
Our famous swordfish brochettes, line-caught locally
$28.00
Tandoori Prawns
Grilled, South-Indian-spiced Black Tiger prawns
$28.00
Tandoor Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Mango-ginger glaze, finished to perfection in the Tandoor
$30.00
Wagyu Hanger Steak
Marinated with yogurt and spices for 2 days, 16ish oz, mesquite grilled
$65.00
Antelope Chop
Dry-aged Indian Nilgai double chop, yogurt and fenugreek marinade, mesquite grilled
$65.00
Tandoori Kurobuta Porkchop
Tamarind glaze, mesquite grilled. 32oz-ish, medium rare
$45.00
Chicken Tikka Masala
Jidori chicken breast simmered in our famous yogurt and tomato sauce
$21.00
Kashmiri Chicken
Praveen’s favorite curry, with hints of fennel and cardamom
$21.00
Chicken Vindaloo
Stewed chicken breast and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
$22.00
Coastal Chicken Curry
A southern-inspired curry with coconut and a low-key spice
$23.00
Chicken Tagine
A Moroccan-style dish with homegrown preserved Meyer lemons and olives
$28.00
Lamb Roganjosh
Lean lamb cooked in a hearty sauce
$24.00
Lamb Vindaloo
Lean lamb and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
$25.00
Lamb Saag
Lean lamb, hearty spinach sauce
$26.00
Figged Up Lamb Saag
Lean lamb in a homemade yogurt curry with fresh-picked Mission and Calimyrna figs
$26.00
Handi Lamb
New Zealand lamb shank, slow-braised for 9 hours, finished in a curry with bell peppers and onions
$36.00
Favourite Goat Curry
Stewed goat curry, family recipe
$26.00
Bison Tagine
Stewed in a yogurt-based curry with Barhi dates and figs
$28.00
Habanero Pork Vindaloo
Pork tenderloin and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
$24.00
Rabbit Curry
Rabbit, Vadouvan-spiced, red wine curry
$26.00
Duck Vindaloo
Mary’s duck breast stewed in a curry with homegrown Scotch Bonnet and Aji Limon peppers
$28.00
Kerala Shrimp
Black Tiger shrimp in a delectable mango-coconut sauce
$26.00
Pondicherry Fish Curry
Wild-caught Chilean Sea Bass in a tomato, coconut, and herb curry
$28.00
Paneer Anardana
Our homemade cheese simmered in a pomegranate-spiced masala
$18.00
Paneer Tikka Masala
Our homemade cheese simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, yogurt, and spices
$18.00
Saag Paneer
Spinach with Indian cheese
$18.00
Saag Alu
Spinach, potatoes
$15.00
Squash Masala
Neighborhood butternut squash, Chef’s secret spice mix (we truly don’t know, it’s a secret)
$16.00
Choti Gobhi
Brussels sprouts, tomato masala
$16.00
Alu Gobhi
Cauliflower and potatoes with Indian spices
$16.00
Jeera Alu
Potatoes stir-fried with cumin
$12.00
Baigan Bhartha
Minced roasted eggplant, onions, tomatoes
$16.00
Martabaan Chole
Piquant chili-spiced chickpeas, potatoes
$15.00
Gobhi Matar
Cauliflower and farm green peas, Indian spices
$16.00
Not Black Daal
Lentils of the day, slow cooked, mild spices
$12.00
Bhindi Masala
Fresh okra sautéed with onions, tomatoes and spices
$18.00
Cumin Rice
Aromatic basmati rice
$3.00
Vegetable Pulao
Basmati rice tossed with vegetables
$18.00
Quinoa
Fluffy quinoa
$5.00
Brown Rice
Brown basmati rice, cumin
$5.00
Naan
Freshly baked in our Tandoor oven
$3.00
Garlic Naan
With fresh garlic
$4.00
Rosemary Naan
With fresh rosemary
$4.00
Basil Garlic Naan
With fresh basil and garlic
$5.00
Sourdough Naan
Leavened bread brushed with Ghee, sea salt
$4.00
Cheese Naan
Stuffed with mozzarella cheese
$8.00
Roti
Unleavened multigrain bread
$3.00
Missi Roti
Gram flour bread brushed with Ghee
$5.00
Papadum
Crisp lentil wafers
$3.00
Raita
Homemade spiced yogurt
$4.00
Tikka Masala Sauce
Clay Oven’s Tikka Masala sauce
$10.00
Infamous Hot Sauce
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Carolina Reaper, Ghost Pepper, etc., etc.
$3.00
Kachumber Salad
Onions, tomatoes, Figaro cucumbers, cilantro, lemon juice, Serrano chili, spices
$5.00
Large Mint Chutney
8oz Made fresh every day. It goes on everything. There’s no wrong way to use it
$10.00
Gulab Jamun
Cheese dumplings, cardamom-honey syrup
$7.00
Kheer
Indian rice pudding
$5.00
Chicken Tikka Masala
Jidori chicken breast simmered in our famous yogurt and tomato sauce
Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, all-natural marinade, spices
Saag Alu
Spinach, potatoes
Gobhi Matar
Cauliflower and farm green peas, Indian spices
Chicken Tikka Masala
Jidori chicken breast simmered in our famous yogurt and tomato sauce
Kashmiri Chicken
Praveen’s favorite curry, with hints of fennel and cardamom
Chicken Vindaloo
Stewed chicken breast and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
Lamb Roganjosh
Lean lamb cooked in a hearty sauce
Lamb Vindaloo
Lean lamb and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, all-natural marinade, spices
Black Cobra Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, Black Cobra chili marinade
Chicken Tikka
Jidori chicken breast marinated with yogurt and fresh herbs
Swordfish Tandoori
Our famous swordfish brochettes, line-caught locally
Saag Alu
Spinach, potatoes
Gobhi Matar
Cauliflower and farm green peas, Indian spices
Squash Masala
Neighborhood butternut squash, Chef’s secret spice mix (we truly don’t know, it’s a secret)
Alu Gobhi
Cauliflower and potatoes with Indian spices
Not Black Daal
Lentils of the day, slow cooked, mild spices
Chicken Tikka Masala
Jidori chicken breast simmered in our famous yogurt and tomato sauce
Kashmiri Chicken
Praveen’s favorite curry, with hints of fennel and cardamom
Chicken Vindaloo
Stewed chicken breast and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
Lamb Roganjosh
Lean lamb cooked in a hearty sauce
Lamb Vindaloo
Lean lamb and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
Favourite Goat Curry
Stewed goat curry, family recipe
Habanero Pork Vindaloo
Pork tenderloin and potatoes in a spicy habanero sauce
Kerala Shrimp
Black Tiger shrimp in a delectable mango-coconut sauce
Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, all-natural marinade, spices
Black Cobra Tandoori Chicken
Jidori chicken grilled on the bone, Black Cobra chili marinade
Chicken Tikka
Jidori chicken breast marinated with yogurt and fresh herbs
Swordfish Tandoori
Our famous swordfish brochettes, line-caught locally
Tandoori Lamb Chops
Succulent double chops
Tandoori Prawns
Grilled, South-Indian-spiced Black Tiger prawns
Tandoor Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Mango-ginger glaze, finished to perfection in the Tandoor
Saag Paneer
Spinach with Indian cheese
Choti Gobhi
Brussels sprouts, tomato masala
Baigan Bhartha
Minced roasted eggplant, onions, tomatoes
Gobhi Matar
Cauliflower and farm green peas, Indian spices
Squash Masala
Neighborhood butternut squash, Chef’s secret spice mix (we truly don’t know, it’s a secret)
Alu Gobhi
Cauliflower and potatoes with Indian spices
Not Black Daal
Lentils of the day, slow cooked, mild spices
Saag Alu
Spinach, potatoes
Gobhi Matar
Cauliflower and farm green peas, Indian spices
Pumpkin Masala
Neighborhood farm pumpkin, Winter spice mix
Not Black Daal
Lentils of the day, slow cooked, mild spices
Cumin Rice
Aromatic basmati rice
Mango Lassi $5.00
Masala Chai $5.00
1lb Organic Ap Flour Unbleached $3.00
1lb Long Grain Basmati Rice $3.00
1lb Yeast $8.00
Wine List
Riesling, Chateau Montelena
Potter Valley, Mendocino, California | 2016
$14.00
Soave, Pieropan
Veneto, Italy | 2017
$11.00
Sauvignon Blanc, Babich “Black Label”
Marlborough, New Zealand | 2017
$12.00
Sancerre, Robert Cantin “Les Pierblancs”
Sancerre, Loire Valley, France | 2016
$15.00
Grüner Veltliner, Leth “Steinagrund”
Wagram, Austria | 2017
$11.00
Semillon, Little Frances “Luchsinger Vineyard”
Lake County, California | 2014
$12.00
Chardonnay, Lúuma
Sonoma Coast, California | 2017
$12.00
Chardonnay, Scribe
Carneros, Sonoma, California | 2015
$14.00
Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine Michel Caillot
Bourgogne, Burgundy, France | 2011
$12.00
Côte De Beaune, Louis Latour Clos Saint-Désiré
Beaune, Burgundy, France | 2010
$60.00
Pinot Gris, Antiquum Farm “Daisy”
Willamette Valley, Oregon | 2017
$12.00
Rosé, Poe
Oakville, Napa Valley, California | 2018
$12.00
Pinot Noir, Johan Vineyards “Farmlands”
Willamette Valley, Oregon | 2017
$12.00
Pinot Noir, Land Of Saints
Central Coast, California | 2017
$14.00
Pinot Noir, Pence Ranch
Santa Rita Hills, Central Coast, California | 2016
$60.00
Pinot Noir, Barnett Vineyards “Tina Marie”
Russian River Valley, California | 2017
$100.00
Grenache, Poco Á Poco
Mendocino, California | 2015
$12.00
Carignane, Folk Machine “Parts & Labor”
Mendocino, California | 2017
$10.00
Merlot, Trefethen
Oak knoll, Napa valley, California | 2015
$12.00
Zinfandel, Camp
Sonoma Valley, California | 2017
$11.00
Malbec, Colomé
Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina | 2014
$15.00
Red Blend, Westwood Estate “Legend”
Sonoma Valley, California | 2015
$60.00
Bordeaux, Château Recougne
Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France | 2012
$32.00
Côtes-Du-Rhône, Domaine De Cristia
Côtes-du-Rhône, Rhône Valley, France | 2017
$40.00
Red Blend “V3”, Baehner Fournier Estate
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California | 2011
$50.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Ultraviolet
Oakville, Napa Valley, California | 2016
$10.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Hobo Wine CO
Alexander Valley, California | 2016
$14.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis M. Martini
Alexander Valley, California | 2015
$70.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Mondavi Estate “Emblem”
Napa Valley, California | 2014
$76.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Trefethen
Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, California | 2014
$100.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Nickel & Nickel “Branding Iron”
Oakville, Napa Valley, California | 2015
$140.00
Brut Prestige, Mumm Napa (187ml)
Napa, California
$12.00
Cava, Juve Y Camps Reserva De La Familia Gran Reserva
Catalonia, Spain
$50.00
Champagne, Bruno Paillard Cuvee NV
Reims, France
$100.00
English Cider, Aspall “Dry” (330ml)
Suffolk, England | ABV 6.8% | Apple, earthiness, funky
$9.00
Sidra, Begiris (375ml)
Zaragoza, Spain | ABV 6.0% | Rustic, dryish, slightly tart, natural
$8.00
Tawny Reserve Ruby Porto, Croft
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
$5.00
Royal Tokaji “5 Puttonyos Aszú”
Tokaj, Hungary | 2013
$12.00
Late Harvest Semillon, Dolce
Napa Valley, California | 2011
$16.00
Rioja, Marqués De Riscal
Elciego, Rioja, Spain | 2004
$100.00
Malbec, Colomé “Reserva”
Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina | 2009
$120.00
Chardonnay, Nickel & Nickel “Stiling”
Oakville, Napa Valley, California | 2015
$100.00
Lambic (Belgian Gueze), 3 Fonteinen “Armand & Gaston”
Beersel, Belgium | ABV 5.2% | One of the world’s best lambics
$60.00
San Pellegrino Sparkling $3.00
Still Water $4.00
Iced Tea
Unsweetened
$2.00
Soda
Coke / Diet Coke / Sprite
$2.00
Ginger-Lemon Drink (Homemade) $4.00
Pomegranate Lemonade (Homemade) $4.00
Tea (Black Or Green) $3.00
Chai
Black tea, spices, ginger, milk, sugar, as is
$3.00
Lassi (Sweet Or Salted)
A refreshing homemade yogurt drink
$3.00
Fruit Lassi
With seasonal fruit
$4.00
Sour (Gose), Off Color Brewing “Troublesome” | 4.3% ABV
Chicago, IL | IBU 10 | Hazy gold, wheatish, light sea salt, lemony tartness, refreshing
$8.00
White Ale (Witbier), Kiuchi Brewery “Hitachino Nest” | 5.5% ABV
Ibarki, Japan | IBU 13 | Citrus, wheat, coriander, ginger
$10.00
Lager (Indian), Flying Horse | 4.7% ABV
Bangalore, India | IBU 18 | Crisp, peppery, grassy
$10.00
Lager (Indian), Taj Mahal | 4.5% ABV
Bangalore, India | IBU 20 | Light, green apple, grain
$10.00
Hefewizen (German), Schneider Weisse “Tap 4 Organic” | 6.2% ABV
Kelheim, Germany | IBU 20 | Lightly toasted wheat, banana, medium body, semi-dry
$12.00
Lager (Kellerbier), Grevensteiner “Naturtrübes Landbier” | 5.2% ABV
Meschede, Germany | IBU 23 | Malty smooth, floral honey, toasted almond, crisp finish
$10.00
Brown (American Imperial), Hideji “Kuri Kuro” | 9.0% ABV
Miyazaki, Japan | IBU 25 | Chestnut, chocolate, espresso, woody, herbal, warming
$14.00
Pale Ale (English Bitter), Timothy Taylor “Landlord” | 4.1% ABV
Keighley, England | IBU 35 | Dry upfront, malty light middle, woody, floral bitter end
$12.00
Lager (Dortmunder-Style), Barley Forge “Grandpa Tractor” | 4.8% ABV
Costa Mesa, CA | IBU 35 | Brisk, mild hop bitterness, pilsner malt, drop of honey, a favorite
$5.00
Pilsner (Czech Style), Heater Allen “Pils” | 5.0% ABV
McMinnville, OR | IBU 38 | Malt driven, clean flavor, light zest, bittersweet finish
$12.00
Lager (Pale), Green’s | 4.1% ABV
Lochristi, Belgium | IBU 39 | Pineapple, dry-hopped, high carbonation, grassy
$10.00
Tripel (Belgian), Brouwerij De Ranke “Guldenberg” | 8.5% ABV
Wevelgem, Belgium | IBU 40 | Pear, apricot, hop nibble, slight spice, crisp yet smooth
$9.00
Blonde Ale (Belgian), The Lost Abbey “Devotion” | 6.0% ABV
San Marcos, CA | IBU 40 | Soft nose, mild yeasty spice, honey, medium finish
$6.00
Amber Ale (American), North Coast “Red Seal” | 5.5% ABV
Fort Bragg, CA | IBU 42 | Earthy, candied orange, toasted caramel, crisp
$5.00
Pale Ale (American), Kern River Brewing “River Buddy” | 5.6% ABV
Kernville, CA | IBU 56 | Big tropical aromas, grassy earthiness, great balance, refreshing
$6.00
Amber Ale (American), Smog City “Sabre-Toothed Squirrel” | 7.0% ABV
Torrance, CA | IBU 68 | Bright citrus, pine, caramel, honey, toasted malt
$7.00
Stout (Imperial), Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! “Peche Mortel” | 9.5% ABV
Quebec, Canada | IBU 76 | Rich, dark roast, dark chocolate, dark coffee, dark
$14.00
IPA (American), Noble Ale Works “Big Whig IPA” | 6.8% ABV
Anaheim, CA | IBU 77 | Well-rounded, tangerine, honey, lingering resin, delicious
$10.00
IPA (Imperial), Evil Twin “Molotov Lite” | 8.5% ABV
Brooklyn, NY | IBU 90 | Deeply bitter, tropical tint, dry fruity lingering finish, solid
$8.00
IPA (Hazy Imperial), Omnipollo “Fatamorgana” | 8.0% ABV
Stockholm, Sweden | IBU 100 | Big orange haze, soft tropical fruits, lime bitter finish, wow
$12.00
Non-Alcoholic (Pilsner), Bitburger “Drive” | 0.0% ABV
Bitburg, Germany | Crisp, chestnut, peppery
$6.00

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Reviews

lissy donovan
Consistently the some of best quality food I have found in orange county. Lovely, kind people. Delightfully delicious meals. Creative cooking with lots of love in it. Fantastic. Can’t recommend highly enough.

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Manny Kiesser
I’m a word: magnificent. Everything on the menu has depth and complexity without being over seasoned. A great value as we always get a second or even third meal from an order. This isn’t quick service fare, but in the end is top notch unique quality dining at quick service rates. Holds its flavor and easily served at home. The weekly at home delivery menus are a delight, but standing any day menu is also amazing. I’m not being sappy when I say that love is a base ingredient in every dish. Try it you’ll know what I mean.

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Lauren Maxwell
Clay oven is hands down the best Indian food in Irvine. The owners and staff are incredibly kind. When I don’t know what to order l, they just take over and deliver a wonderful meal. I’ve never had a bad experience here and go out of my way to order from them when we have guests because they always love it. 10/10 a must try!!

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Mike West
Clay Oven is by far the best Indian food our family has ever had. Nothing comes close to their quality and taste. Our favorite is the Chicken Tikka Masala. We’ve been dining here for years. Super friendly!

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Sebastiaan van Doornspeek
Clay Oven has been my go-to for Indian cuisine for years, and so far they have never disappointed. Besides the tried-and-true dishes that everyone knows and loves they also always have specialty dishes on their menu, with some very interesting and hard-to-find options from time to time. Just look at their menu to see what they offer.

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Patrick Boulard
We loved the in-person dining experience for years, and post-COVID take-out/delivery is just as exceptional. This is the real thing. Family owned, amazing dishes and the flavors are spot on every time.

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Robert Wascher
Delicious custom Indian cuisine combined with exceptional service. The biggest challenge is trying to decide what to order, short of ordering everything on the menu. Every dish was exquisite!

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Cheryl Wilen
Always a delight to order from Clay Oven and pick it up. Not only is the food great (both the vegetarian and meat types), I really enjoy having a conversation with the owner/chef/bartender.

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Mike Schoenbachler
Excellent! The mint chutney, scorpion sauce, chicken tikka masala, I could have any day of the week. Truly deep flavors. Very friendly people. I wish the black cobra chicken would come back.

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Elizabeth Smith
Treat yourself to an amazing meal from the nicest people on the planet. We have been going to Clay Oven for many years and have celebrated many major family events in their restaurant. When the pandemic hit, they regrouped and reconfigured, but never lost a beat in terms of quality, flavor and personal service. If you have not had the opportunity to enjoy Clay Oven’s delicious food–we highly recommend you try it soon! Be sure to include an extra order of our family favorite–sour dough naan. You will be so happy you did!

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