(EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE) — Long Beah, CA — In the breeze off Viking Way, just before stepping inside is a scent that escapes as the door opens; like someone’s just finished stirring a pot of homemade curry and the whole neighborhood got invited. Behind its inventive menu is Chef Mural Manjunath, a culinary mind who houses multiple Michelin stars. Here, he’s taken his craft and funneled it into Long Beach in a setting that’s both relaxed and subtly refined — a space where bold ideas meet everyday appetite.
Walking through a menu that leans into fusion yet never feels confused, the diversity of dishes at Cali Chilli is a testament to vision. Remarkably, for someone like me living with celiac disease, there were tons of gluten-free options. The menu feels genuinely inclusive – whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or firmly in carnivore territory – there are options for everyone.
The variety is abundant, and every bite tasted intuitional, balanced, and deeply satisfying. The Dairy Daal was a revelation — creamy and understated, a bowl of simple perfection that tastes richer and more soulful than any accurate description could convey. It’s comfort food elevated by balance and precision.
The Burrata Saag Paneer is a playful cross-cultural wink, where Italian burrata melts luxuriously into saag paneer. It’s clever, comforting, and undeniably well executed. But the star of the table was the Tofu Vindaloo.
This was the dish I kept going back to — a vivid chorus of spices that blooms across the palate without overpowering it. With perfect heat, beautifully layered. Each spoonful carried depth and nuance, the kind of balance that makes you pause mid-bite and immediately plan the next.
The hardest part? Stopping there. The menu reads like a map of possibilities — curries layered with intrigue, classics reimagined, dishes that call to you from across the page. There were at least five more plates I wanted on the table, but appetite has its limits. Some meals demand a return visit.
In addition to the delicious lunch and dinner, Cali Chilli offers a breakfast service — served as Breakfast by Pancake, which runs from about 7:30 to 11 AM and adds a casual American touch to the story. Praveen Nair, the owner, states that Cali Chilli will be hosting a “March Madness” Breakfast Buffet in the month of March – further proves the kitchen isn’t afraid to get creative and communal.
In a city crammed with worthy contenders, Cali Chilli feels like a delicious discovery. The unmistakable imprint of a chef with international acclaim who still isn’t afraid to have fun, Cali Chilli is a place that feeds the heart as much as the appetite. The food tastes like homemade — only better.
Will I be going back? Most definitely.
