Royal Punjab (Venloer Str. 4, 50672 Köln) have two branches in the Köln area, one is towards Leverkusen, the other in the city at Friesenplatz. The U5 takes one efficiently from Rathaus to Friesenplatz at which point one has to work out from which hole in the ground one has emerged.
Having spent recent years concentrating on the Düsseldorf Curry Scene, it came as quite a surprise to note how many new Curry Houses have sprung up in Köln. Today’s venue was chosen for a very simple reason, – Punjab – was in the title.
The online Menu shows the full range of Dishes one might come to expect. With two pages allocated to Lamb Curry then Keema in a separate section, there is much to choose from. Lamm Methi (€12.90) was bypassed, an Aloo Methi (€9.50) also, Hector was having Fish.
Hector was the first customer of the day arriving at 11.40. Royal Punjab opens every day at 11.30 except noon on Sundays. It is a feature of Köln Curry Houses that they open at Lunchtime, and despite Google Maps suggesting they provide late night food, they do not. Royal Punjab claims to be open for the full twelve hours.
I was given a choice of tables, one near the counter and facing the action sufficed. A Lunchtime Buffet was an option, available until 16.00. I asked for the Menu and retained it after I had ordered so as to complete records.
Mein Host was reluctant to speak in English, still I suspect his English was better than my Deutsch.
Fisch Kalkata (€13.50) – Fisch mit Auberginen, Kartoffeln in einer Masalasauce – had the much sought after – Interesting Vegetables. I verified that Paprika was not an ingredient then went into full Hector mode:
Ich mochte ein Trockene und Dicke Curry mit Minimal Sos.
This appeared to be an acceptable request.
Mittelscharf und Hohe – was the final qualification.
As is the European norm, this came with either Rice or Bread, I chose Basmati.
At my leisure I noted the three Levels of Spice available for every Main Course:
Leicht Scharf – Gut Scharf – Sehr Scharf.
One can only establish how the Spice Scale in any German-Indian Restaurant operates by empirical means. Very few venues will serve a Truly Spicy Curry.
A 0.2l glass of Sparkling Water (€1.70) was poured from a Large Bottle, sneaky. This was comparable to the price of the Bottled Bier on sale unlike yesterday at Indian Masala Curry House where the Bier was actually cheaper.
I had time to take in my surroundings, a sizeable venue with flexible seating, the surroundings were not OTT in terms of – This is an Indian Restaurant. The array of ornaments on the shelf beside me did amuse. Does seeing these make the Curry taste more authentic?
Fish cooks quickly, the wait was little more than ten minutes. I began my photographic ritual. The Rice was more than I could eat, the wastage would not be as much as in many Euro-venues.
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Fisch Kalkata
The consistency of the Masala had me won in an instant, this looked – Gloopy. Fisch Shorba had been avoided.
Topped with Ginger Strips and some Fresh Coriander, how often have I written this? A Curry without this Garnish has become the exception. Let’s have even more Coriander.
The Solids were decanted, I could not tell how much Fish there was due to it being indistinguishable from the Potato. There was certainly enough here to justify the price. The Masala was Thick, Onion Seeds were mixed through. My guess was – Onion Seeds – based on the descriptions of other Dishes in the Menu.
The Kick was there – Spice! The Seasoning was Perfection. This was going to be good.
The Fish was in Large Pieces, there was a firmness which I liked, not the Soft Flakes which I had for example recently at Kashmir (Bradford). The similarly sized Potato was equal to it. I am used to Potato in Curry, Eggplant is something else. This was cooked to a Mush as is the nature of the Vegetable. I did note that it was full of Flavour having absorbed from the Masala in the way that say – Chicken – does not.
Oil collected on the base of the karahi beside the remnants. These were soon relocated.
Mein Host sat at his table facing me. I gave the thumbs up:
This is a very good Curry – I said in English.
He asked where I was from. Everyone is happy to encounter a Scot.
At 12.10 two more Diners entered, followed quickly by another four and then some more again. They were all here for the Buffet. I have seen food piled high on plates, there was no holding these people back, they knew exactly what they were doing. At €8.50 for a Large Plate they were most certainly being fed at an excellent price. I was determined to study the Buffet on my departure.
The Bill
€15.20 (£13.52) An Honourable Price which matches my favourite venues back home.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given and the Website shown. This earned an – Also!
I said I would be back in four weeks.
When I saw the Buffet it was the Keema which stood out, the rest was as one might expect, Soupy Curry. One could do damage to their Buffet Keema, then I thought, next time:
Keema Aloo Mutter Methi, Gut Scharf
This is surely within their capabilities? But then I won’t get another Splendid Fish Curry.
