Köln – Ganesha – The Promised Return

It is written, Hector was returning today to Ganesha Indisches Restaurant (Händelstraße 26, 50674, Köln, Deutschland) for Fish Curry. Such was the great impression made yesterday when Hector experienced the most impressive Bhuna Ghost Hedrabadi. A Fish Curry for Brunch also leaves certain possibilities for later.

Arriving just after the Noon opening time, I found Mein Host – Mr. Joginder Singh – up a ladder washing the signage. As he was blocking the entrance I had to wait a moment. He addressed me in English on completion of his task. Unlike our initial encounter, we were now communicating.

There was a choice of three Fish Dishes – Vindaloo, Masala, or Goa. Joginder took me through each and we agreed on the Fish Masala. Masala Fish.

A different Waiter was on duty today, he dealt with the Sparkling Water. Yesterday I had speculated about how many this venue could seat. I estimated around forty from where I sat. Was I seeing a reflection or was there another room? No sooner had I settled than Joginder took me for a tour of the premises. What could have been a reflection was another room leading to a corridor to another room, then a room to set up a a Buffet when required. An overflow, or private room was available in the depths. Ganesha is vast!

There are two kitchens also. The front kitchen for normal business. The large kitchen to the rear is used when they have Coach Trips which is apparently a regular feature. I am told Ganesha is always busy at night, so if anyone wishes to accompany Hector here one evening in December… One may conclude that Ganesha serves genuine Indian Cuisine.

Where the front room has photos of food and ladies, the inner room has a gallery of photos with Joginder and Indian dignitaries he has met through the years. Gandhi! Joginder explained that he is responsible for fund-raising for cancer patients in India. Quite a celebrity himself then. He has had Ganesha for twenty eight years and counting. The Man himself is off to India for a few months, but says he will be here when I return.

There was Curry-Heute

When I returned to my seat, Joginder asked if I required (Complimentary) Bread to accompany the Fish Masala. Knowing that Boiled Rice was the inclusive Accompaniment I declined this gracious offer.

The Waiter brought me a Cumin-Poppadom and Three Dips. Hector was being treated like royalty. This was all completed before the next batch of diners assembled.

This is very spicy. – said The Waiter, pointing to one of the Dips. It was a home-made Chutney, clearly not from a jar. Tamarind too. Amazing how this has been cropping up of late.

Joginder came over and asked Hector for permission to take his leave. He had to go elsewhere. I began to feel humbled. Twenty four hours ago we had never met.

This is very Spicy.

Not a problem – is Hector’s standard reply. Humbled? Hector had his proverbial ass kicked! The Chutney is the Hottest thing I have ever put in my mouth. Bloody Hell! Well, that’s what I recorded at the time. Mixed on top of the Poppadom with the Raita and the Tamarind this was certainly another Curry experience Hector will never forget. A plate of this would be inedible except for nutters trying to do self-harm. Pleasant? Yes, but like hitting one’s head with a brick, it was great when it stopped. Except it didn’t. The Fish Masala was brought with the Boiled Rice. My mouth was still on fire and so realised I would taste little for the foreseeable.

The Masala Fish was as expected, served in what Hector considers to be excessive Masala. However, this was a quality Masala. There was an excellent Texture, far from Shorva. I suspect bits of Fish were mixed in with the finely chopped Onions.

Normally the Masala in a Fish Curry takes Flavour from the Fish, today I was struggling to establish this. The Fish itself was served in a sufficiently sized portion. How many venues have I reported minimal Fish with excessive Masala? No problems here.

The Waiter brought me a Plain Naan. A very Plain Naan. I was having Naan after-all. Now I could taste the Masala. The situation was improving. The Naan was as authentic as anything served in the UK, a proper Tandoor must have been employed. Puffy, with enough burnt bits.

*

A Thought

Fish Vindaloo is available. If they tell you – It’s very Spicy – believe them.

Dessert

A single Gulab Jamun arrived.  Probably part of the Lunchtime Menu.  Again, appreciated.

The Bill

€13.80. The Fish is cheaper than Lamb. How can Fish be more expensive in UK Restaurants?  The alternative this morning was paying the Ibis €10.00 for Breakfast.

The Aftermath

Joginder had returned. He interrupted his own Lunch to say farewell.

I showed him what I had written for yesterday. He confirmed his presence in December when I shall most certainly return.

The Recommendation Dilemma

If Ganesha Curry was served in the UK it would no doubt be classed by Hector as better than Mainstream, but not in the upper echelon that Hector holds Yadgar, Karahi Palace, The Village et al. One tries not to flatter European Curry Houses excessively. That I have kept Glasgow’s – The Shenaz – in my Recommendations List after all these years is because I regard this as better than Mainstream. At home, five visits are required before Recommendation, Abroad the criteria have to be different.

I may have visited some memorable Curry Houses abroad only once. Maybe this paragraph belongs on the About page.