The twenty four who were in Bamberg for the – B.S.F.-A.G.M. – have scattered. After two days in München then four in Bamberg, Hector was not going to miss the opperchancity of at least one night in Berlin. One night it would be, time for one Curry.
Having reported the changes at Indian Mango (München), then being overfed at Ganesha Tandoori (Bamberg), Hector was looking forward some genuine Punjabi Fayre. Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland) was only discovered at the end of 2022, a much needed addition to the Berlin Curry scene which at times struggles to reach a level of mediocrity, never mind – Mainstream. Nevertheless, Hector has always tried to stay positive. Punjabi Zaiqa is a no frills Curry Cafe, metres from Osloer Strasse U Bahn station (U5 +U8) in the north of the city, here lies – Echtes Desi Essen.
I arrived at 15.50, a sensible time to eat, Hector’s preferred time, the Rite Time. A board outside showed the – Midday Menu. Being Ramadan I doubt there would be many takers. A 10% Ramadan discount was prominently advertised, whether this applied to sit in and Takeaway, I know not.
Adnan recognised me as I approached the counter to order, no sign of Kaka today. I had already decided, well actually months ago, that my next Curry at Zaiqa would be another – Desi – Lamm Korma (€12.90), Spicy. In order to avoid a repeat of Monday’s debacle, I asked for Rice only, no Bread, otherwise I would have ended up with both.
Helping oneself to a drink from the fridge is expected, I took something that was clearly – gassy – but turned out to be a sweet Turkish Lemonade, not Sparkling Water.
I sat in the otherwise empty restaurant, with little distraction, the chaps could concentrate on preparing my Order. Two young girls would later order Chicken Curry. Zaiqa serve the basics as well as – Desi Curry.
A chap brought the tray brimming with food. As is the European way, the Rice bowl was way more than a Hector would ever manage.
A Side Salad too, the Rocket was discarded, horrible stuff, looks like dandelion leaves, tastes like weeds. I will admit to not having sampled many of these. I was surprised to find a typical German Salad Dressing mixed through the Cabbage etc, the Vinegar added bite, decent. The Salad would provide a suitable distraction from Meat and Masala.
Lamm Korma
On seeing the huge pieces of Meat with pointy bones protruding, the heart sank – Chicken? Thankfully, these were not Chicken Thighs but simply huge pieces of Lamb on-the-bone. The bones I didn’t recognise, possibly from the cheaper cuts which more Pukka venues wouldn’t use? There was loads of Meat and not so many bones as it turned out, this was easily the – half kilo.
Wow! – instant gratification. Nowhere else in Berlin serves Curry like this, and damn few in the UK. The oily Masala was in the classic style, even before I took the first mouthful the palate was already salivating, one can tell just by the appearance that this was the real thing.
Some, actually around half, of the pieces of Lamb were so large I had to use a knife to cut them into manageable bits. When did Hector last use a knife in a Curry House? Had I taken the Bread option then fingers would have been employed, next time.
Wow! – yes, this deserved a second exclamation. The Flavour was astonishing, whilst the Spice Level would never reach overwhelming, it did grow steadily as I ate. Sliced Green Chillies had been cooked in. The Seasoning, well this Curry could not have attained this level of satisfaction without this being well pitched. The blended Masala simply oozed pleasure, for once I accepted that more would have been even better. Soupy Curry – is not what the Hector seeks, however, today, to manage the Rice, more Masala required. Bread next time, unless there is someone to share a more complex Rice a la Karahi Palace (Glasgow). These are notes to myself.
Whole Cloves and Cumin Seeds were encountered, each giving their own blast of Flavour, then there was the Meat. Every piece seemed different. Firm, Tender, giving of Spice, others less so. Meatiness alone, then pieces which were simply magnificent. Life is like a .… (Forrest Gump).
Spicy Desi Korma, a Curry which has nothing in common with that served in Mainstream Curry Houses, no Coconut here, not for beginners. This Lamm Korma was just sublime, and totally justified the horrible price of tomorrow’s flight home.
The Bill
€15.40 (£13.52) No price increase since last year. After a week in Deutschland, it’s fair to deduce that inflation here is not what it is in the UK.
The Aftermath
I bade farewell, Berlin is next in the calendar for the end of August, unless the unexpected happens. Marg may then review the Keema.
And so for a quick visit to Protokoll then on to Bräugier for another excellent evening. OK, maybe I wasn’t just in die Bier-und Curryhauptstadt for Curry alone.