An unassuming restaurant in the heart of Victoria Island, the quaintness on 343 degrees’ North’s exterior and the warmth of the waitress at the door make me feel like I am talking to my friend in a place where I am truly welcome. From the first step into 343 Degrees North, everything steals my heart.
343 Degrees North has quite a fascinating name; the manager told me the restaurant was named after the exact compass coordinates of its location. Its decor has a luxurious sharp green theme to create a sense of tranquillity that soothes you while you wait for your order — and they give complimentary starters too. Soft music plays in the background, adding to the overall relaxed atmosphere. The tables are arranged in a way for people to connect closely with each other, and the music volume is just perfect.
The first time I visit, I order mai tai and it comes in a sizeable mug, while my colleague has a long island. The staff are incredibly helpful and patient as I go through the main menu, still a bit uncertain about Indian cuisine. They take the time to explain the options available, going above and beyond to make me feel at ease. Granted, I am not a regular customer, but even though I’ve just come in with the potential to spend a chunky sum of money and they have to match my expectations, but I can tell the effort is genuine.
Trying out Indian food in Lagos
As someone who has never tried Indian food before, I am a bit anxious because I have no idea what to expect in terms of flavours and spices. There’s a running Nigerian joke about our limited culinary repertoire of rice, bread, and yam, so this is an opportunity for me to expand my palate and try something new. While there’s a part of me that is unsure of how my taste buds will react, I’m also very excited at the possibility of finding new food to fall in love.
The head chef and his sous provide even more guidance and eventually help me pick out something to eat. They suggest butter chicken and rice dishes. We decide to order different kinds of biryani: chicken, lobster and mutton, to decide what might cling to our tastebuds. We also add a plate of prawn Hakka noodles and a mixed grill platter with a selection of their signature chicken, mutton, fish and prawn kebabs.
As we wait for our meals, I have a chat with the executive chef. He talks about his journey as a chef having loved being in the kitchen since he was a child. He has cooked in Nigeria for over five years so when we ask him to say something about the Nigerian palate, he laughed and said, “Nigerians love spicy food,” and everybody agrees. It’s why when I look up I realise my anxiety has melted away. As if trying to confirm what I feel, the chef mentions that the underlying goal of every staff at 343 Degrees North is to make everyone feel at home. “To achieve this, we also treat each other like family, staff and customers alike.”
After the chat, we are invited into the kitchen to watch the chefs prepare our meals. It’s a thrilling experience to watch the kitchen buzz with energy as the chefs manoeuvre several stovetops, countertops, and prep ingredients with precision. They give us details about the importance of each step of the process of the meal. It is mesmerizing to watch the sous chef stir the tomato and butter sauce that’ll soon become butter chicken to be eaten with naan.
I’m particularly intrigued by the process of making chicken lollipops, which the chefs add to our meals — on the house. The chef strips thigh flesh from the bone to form a lollipop shape and dips it into a mix of spices and flour for the crust. It is a captivating display of culinary artistry, transforming a regular piece of chicken into a playful treat. Witnessing the technique and heart it takes to make our meals adds an extra layer of excitement to our dining experience, making each bite all the more delightful.
An Indian smogasbord of flavour
When I finally taste the food, it’s a sensory feast. The butter chicken, a creamy curry meal packed with flavours, paired with cheesy garlic naan, creates a harmonious blend of spices that dance on my tongue. I try the different biryanis as well – lamb, lobster and chicken; each one has a different feel that centres the meat’s flavour profile, but my absolute favourite is the lobster. The chicken lollipops have a satisfying crunch to them, exactly how I’d imagined. They quickly become the table’s favourite, disappearing almost as soon as they’re served. I’m too full to try the prawn hakka noodles and the grill platter of succulently fried meat kebabs but my teammates who eat them moan in delight even as we pack the rest home.
Overall, the experience at 343 Degrees North is amazing. It is much more than trying out new food. We not only learn about Indian cuisine and why and how they’re prepared; for example, why biryanis have so many complex layers of flavour and why certain foods are cooked in a tandoor — the traditional Indian oven. By the time I leave, I’ve formed a deeper connection to Indian food, particularly butter chicken and naan. The warmth that permeated through the entire experience is the icing on the cake.
Whether you’re new to Indian food like me or simply looking for a lovely dining experience in Lagos (they serve Nigerian and continental meals too!), 343 Degrees North is the perfect stop in the heart of Victoria Island. There, delicious food and culture blend seamlessly to create an unforgettable culinary culture trip sure to leave you enthralled.
Damages:
Food:
Mixed grill platter – ₦16,500
Prawn hakka noodles – ₦7,500
Lobster Biryani – ₦15,500
Mutton Biryani – ₦7,000
Chicken Biryani – ₦6,000
Butter chicken – ₦6,000
Drinks
MaiTai – ₦5,000
Daiquiri – ₦5,000
Margarita – ₦5,000
Coke – ₦1,500
Water – ₦600
