Deep in the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion District, there in in airy International Food Court, and among a crowd of hipster shoppers and workers, you’ll find a strong house garam masala in Narinder Dhawann’s Guru Idian Kitchen. Guru specializes in tandoori, in which marinated meat is cooked briefly in intense heat in a traditional deep clay oven called a tandoor. A yogurt-based maarinated hold the garam masala to the meat as it’s lowered into the oven on skewers where it is roasted and smoked at temperatures of more than 500 degrees. The yogurt is burned off, leaving a compact blend of ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander pwder and cayenne pepper, among other herbs and spices. Chicken, lamb and beef tandoori dishes can be served bone-in, boneless or ground served on skewers, and all can be ordered a la carte or as combination plates. Curries and deep fried pastries filled with vegetables or chicken are also available. Prices range from $2.50 to $6.95. Open Monday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

934 S. Los Angeles Street, in the International Food Court