There has long been an awareness of Curry south of the Vistula, Kinga (ul Zamkova) was on the list of places to visit some four years ago but has gone. Hindus – Indian Food (Lipowa, 30-702 Kraków, Polska) is not a Restaurant, but a van selling Curry outside Schindler’s Factory. This leaves Zayka (Limanowskiego Boleslaw 46, 30-551 Kraków Polska) as the only realistic venue to have a – Sit-in Curry. Their website says that Zayka was established in 2015.
Google Maps can be misleading in terms of distance, the walk across the Vistula from Kazimierz to Zayka took a little more than ten minutes. It is only a short hop from Schindler’s Factory. One could easily walk past this basement venue.
Marg and Hector entered Zayka just after 13.00, we had the choice of sitting in one of two rooms each of which could have held a dozen or so people. This could work well for a group booking in advance, presumably one could take over one room and leave other diners in peace. We chose the far room, a couple were just finishing, this looked like the correct place to be.
The Waiter brought the Menu and gave us time to make our selections. I had only finished photographing the Menu when he returned, more time required. Marg was not having Samosa today, only Veg Samosa (13Zl) was available. Instead she announced Veg Pakoda (20Zl) and Masala Papad (5Zl).
I looked at the Fish options. The avoidance of Capsicum and Coconut left the Sarsonwali Machi (40Zl) as a possibility. With a 400g Portion, this would have been quite substantial. En route to the Lamb Dishes I spotted Methi Chicken (26Zl) and so was disappointed not to find this in the Lamb section. I could have asked. Bhuna Gosht (32Zl) or Mutton Keema (30Zl) would probably have been satisfactory. Kadai Mutton (34Zl) it would have to be, but on one condition. Kadai appears often in Kraków Menus, it is a variation on – Karahi – my preferred style of Curry named after the cooking pot.
The Waiter was happy to have the Mutton Kadai served without Capsicum. We agreed on – Spicy. The Menu has Mutton Kadai with a – Two Chilli – rating. On seeing my notes on the Huawei, he asked if I wanted the Mutton Keema also. Veg Pulao (13Zl) would accompany.
Two 500ml Bottles of Sparkling Water (6Zl) completed the Order.
The Kitchen was quite a bit away from us, passed the Facilities at the far end of the basement premises. I heard my Curry being relayed – Mutton Kadai, no Capsicum. We took in our surroundings, very simple, a few photos were the only suggestions of a connection with the Indian Subcontinent.
Three Chaps came in and sat at the window table. One greeted us:
Hello, how are you?
Was this Mein Host? Never established. However, the welcome was warm.
Masala Papad
Visually, this looked the business. A Poppadom with embedded Cumin Seeds, smothered in chopped Tomatoes, Onions and – Powdered Spices – as Marg described it.
Lovely, I enjoyed it because I didn’t have to dip – was her verdict.
An interesting way of looking at it I suppose. This was something different.
Veg Pakoda
Pakora was expected, we both agreed that these were closer to Onion Bhaji, which of course we were told in India, does not exist. Marg made good use of the accompanying Yoghurt-based Dip. They do look very appealing. Hector was offered a sample, but had his own mass of food to deal with.
Kadai Mutton
The abundance of Onions in a Minimal Masala made me think – Stir Fry – on its arrival. The Meat was four huge Blobs of Mutton, again something different, in fact unique in the era of Curry-Heute.
The Rice had to be addressed. The contents immediately impressed despite there being more than a Hector could ever eat, I challenge this ubiquitous – Euro Waste – of Rice. Peas, Carrots, Green Beans and Paneer were in the mix. If one is having a – Curry – then this array of Interesting Vegetables (plus Cheese) completes the Meal. For a Karahi proper, it has to be Bread.
I cut up the Meat, this created a more typical scenario. Whilst the Onions were highly visible in the Masala, there was a cooked Tomato content also. This was beginning to look like a Decent Curry with a Thick, Minimal Masala, the – Dry Curry – which Hector seeks.
The Menu stated that Cashew Nuts were present, I love Nuts but was slightly concerned that these may have added an unwelcome – Sweetness. The first intake established a good, strong, – Earthy – Flavour on the palate. The Spice Level was moderate to start then kept creeping up. This Curry would raise a sweat. I could not taste Nuts and so concluded that their presence was to thicken the Blended Masala. When I encountered the pieces of Tomato so the pleasure was raised, too many Onions, I can only imagine what this Mutton Kadai would have been like with Capsicum in there too, horrible.
Marg took a Soupçon – Very tomatoey – she remarked.
I think it needs more Tomato – was my reply.
The Spice kept growing on the palate, the Rice and Interesting Vegetables worked very well together. The Waiter came through to ask the customary question:
It’s good.
He smiled. He knows what he had served was indeed an Impressive Curry. This was far from what too many venues pass off as – Curry – across Europe. Had I not been blown away by my Laal Mass at Parampara yesterday, I would probably rave more about this Mutton Kadai. Today’s was very much what I hope for when I set foot in premises for the first time. Another discovery, well worth a visit. The Sarsonwali (Mustard) Machi will have to be explored on another visit.
The Bill
78Zl (£15.60) We paid that for a Litre of Sparkling Water in Greece last year.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented. The Waiter was keen to tell me that their food is freshly prepared and they consider their Menu to be quite different.
We are not in the centre so have our regular customers.
True, Zayka is not a venue one is likely to simply encounter, but from what we experienced today, it is well worth the effort of crossing the Vistula. However, Kazimierz is acquiring quite a cluster of Curry Houses, other venues may intercede.
