Sangam Indian Restaurant (Karmelicka 7, 33-332 Kraków, Polska) is currently the highest rated Curry House in Kraków according to Google Maps. As Hector has come to recognise, most contributors there know nothing about Curry, or slag places off because their Delivery was wrong/cold. Curry-Heute is about the food. Could Sangam really be that good?
We arrived at Sangam at 15.45. As with many venues in Polska, one may find the correct address, the actual locus is often in an arcade, and so it was with Sangam. Downstairs we went from a grand entrance called – Avanti. The place was empty, the staff were happy to see us.
Seating around twenty four diners, Sangam appears to be set up for larger groups. Marg and Hector took one of the smaller tables. The Waiter brought the menu. I had already decided that I was having – Lamb Punjabi Curry (Zl36). It was also good to see Lamb Chattinad (Zl38) on the menu, only the second place in Kraków I have seen this Curry. I’ll be having a Chettinad at Delhi Curry House tomorrow, hopefully.
You have Punjabi Curry? – I put to the waiter.
I am from Punjab – was the reply.
There was both a yes and and no in response to this. Hector would take his chances.
The prospect of genuine Punjabi Fayre in Kraków is why Hector chose to investigate Sangam. No spoilers. Ryz Jeera (Zl11) would accompany.
Marg asked me if she would like – Balti. That she was having Curry at all came as a surprise. I advised her that despite what the good people of Birmingham may believe, Balti is not a Curry per se, just the bucket in which the Curry of the Chef’s desire is served. The Balti at Sangam admits to having Cashew Nuts and Creaminess, not what one might expect. Lamb Balti (Zl42) and a Tandoori Roti (Zl7) was Marg’s Order.
The waiter had mentioned Chicken. Neither of us had done so. I asked him to verify the Order. Lamb, no Chicken. No spoilers.
Marg enquired about a large bottle of Sparkling Water, this appeared to be accepted, however, it was a jug of Tap Water which was presented.
The phone signal in the basement was intermittent. As I disappeared upstairs, so the waiter informed Marg there was wi-fi. This was sorted on my return. It was at this point I was given permission by Jonathan’s sisters to post my tribute on Bier-Traveller. Our dear friend Jonathan was taken yesterday. Without Jonathan there would have been no Bier-Today, and consequently, no – Curry-Heute.
Whitechapel – Lahore Kebab House – July 2021
The very existence of these two thousand plus posts marks the importance of making friends and maintaining friendships.
The food was being served on my return. The Tandoori Roti was served in two pieces. Marg particularly enjoyed this. The Ryz Jeera was a sensible portion, manageable, and featured a decent quantity of Cumin Seeds.
Punjabi Curry
The Masala was thin, Soupy, Shorva-esque. I was about to decant the Meat when I noticed it was far too pale to be Lamb. Chicken Curry, nobody asked for Chicken.
We could have sent it back. Indeed, when the matter was drawn to the waiter’s attention, he did offer to change it, too late, Marg had thrown herself on the sword. We swopped. Marg’s verdict:
There was a kick to the thin sauce, and I enjoyed dipping my Roti to maximise the flavour. Chicken is not my favoured meat in a Curry, because it doesn’t hold the flavour.
Hector had a Soupçon of the Masala. It tasted as if it was the base for that described below. Punjabi Curry? In a parallel universe perhaps. Who was Chef trying to kid?
Lamb Balti
No bucket. The thicker Masala was certainly more appealing. A Creamy Masala may be Marg’s Heaven, this was not quite Hector Hell. With a Cashew Nut garnish, the mind was already prepared for what followed.
There was a decent Spice Level which grew marginally as I ate. After yesterday’s assault at Zayka, this was a welcomed relief. The Seasoning too was well presented, quite an achievement in a Creamy Masala. One can deduce that Cashew Nuts had been ground then used to thicken the Masala, which had a definite Nutty Flavour. With the Meat count into double figures, this was a good sized portion. The Lamb was suitably Tender, but as one has to accept in a Mainstream Curry House, it was not giving any more Flavour than the Meat itself.
There was just enough Masala to match the quantity of Rice. Towards the end I realised that before me lay a Dry Curry, as I like it. Marg had been left with the Soup and Bread, this Balti was exactly how Marg loves her Curry. I must admit to enjoying the so-called Lamb Balti, even though I have to question why it was named thus.
We ate the lot, the waiter could only smile when he saw the empty plates.
The Bill
104Zl (£18.99) There was no tip today. Who was not paying attention to what had been ordered?
The Aftermath
Having witnessed all the photography, and yes Hector is trying to source a better camera, the waiter showed me Google Maps. He was keen for me to leave a rating. I gave the Calling Card and promised to go a step further.
Sangam, the best Curry House in Kraków? Not in my experience.
Where is the lady Chef who ran Parampara Indian Cuisine & Culture? That set the standard for Curry in this city.
Menu extracts
