As satisfaction was not being achieved on Saturday at Rickshaw & Co (Glasgow), there was comfort in the knowledge that today the Hector would be back in a happy hunting ground. Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland) was first visited 51 weeks ago, today was Visit #6! Here they serve the real deal – Originale Pakistanische Küche – is their tagline. This is not Curry for the masses, but then is Curry-Heute not about encouraging people to try different places and authentic Curry?
Those who keep up with these pages, and I thank all who do, even Dr. Stan who sneaks a look especially when he knows he gets a mention, will know that Curry in Berlin has been a somewhat frustrating experience over the years. All change. Transformation, and better awareness on my part, means that as the Bier scene has significantly improved, so has the Curry. Is there more to life? Ah yes, the travel too. Today, Moiz who is currently turning Karahi Palace into Handi By Darbar (Glasgow) admired my Curry and reckons that he too should start a Curry Blog and replicate Hector’s hobby.
13.00 was the originally declared time for anyone who wanted to join the Hector, Steve considered this to be too early. When he suggested 15.00, Dr. Stan reckoned his vast Frühstuck would be digested by then. We would be three, Steve’s first visit. After last night’s excesses at Bräugier, I doubt if I would have done a Curry justice at 13.00.
My fellow diners arrived at 14.50 and placed their Orders. Knowing the system, Dr. Stan ordered what he knew the Hector would be having: Lamm (Desi) Korma (€12.90), with included Rice. Steve played it safe: Lamm Karahi – Ohne Knochen (€16.90). An honourable sum, but no Bones? At Punjabi Zaiqa, on-the-bone is €2.00 less. To this, he added a Garlic Naan (€3.00).
Again leading the way, Dr. Stan had helped himself to a bottle of Mango Lassi, Steve, a can of Fanta. They were sitting at the far end of the spacious room when the Hector arrived at 15.01. Adnan greeted, on Visit #1, the Hector made sure that Curry-Heute would be recognised. Spicy – was agreed, Dr. Stan reportedly had asked for – Medium.
A modestly priced litre bottle of Fanta was too good an opperchancity to turn down. Dehydration needed addressing. Taking my seat at the far wall, the table felt a bit distant. The tables could be moved, we didn’t try, a recipe for stained trousers.
When he brought the necessaries, the young waiter brought a Salad. Topped with Rocket, not for Hector. My fellow diners nibbled the minutes away.
As expected, my Curry arrived moments after the others’. The Naan was a realistic size, risen, puffy, Poppy Seeds featured to one side. With Karahi it has to be Bread, Rice remains the preference for Desi Korma. As is the European way, a mountain of Rice was presented. It’s amazing how they can serve so much when it’s inclusive, yet at home we pay over the odds, for what? The Hector took a good portion, Dr. Stan proved he could eat even more, Steve didn’t touch his allocation.
By the end we had made a good hole in the pile.
Scharf – said the young waiter as he placed the karahi on the table before me.
Maybe that should have been – Achtung, Scharf!
Lamm (Desi) Korma
Strips of a notional green something or other sat atop the Curry, the karahi was filled to the brim. I stopped counting the Meat at double figures, no frustrating – Tapas – here. At Punjabi Zaiqa, the portions are huge! So were the lumps of Meat, many on-the-bone, some without. The Desi Korma does come with the – Ohne Knochen – option. Dr. Stan said he was offered – Boneless with Cheese. He knew better.
The Masala was sufficient for the quantity of Meat, and maybe Rice. It’s all about ratios. As ever, I retained some Masala for the end to ensure all had not been absorbed by the Rice. I could not tell if this Masala had been blended, it looked wonderful.
Bloody Hell! – entschuldigung.
My pleasure had to be announced, instantly. Wow? – this was – Wow-plus! I refuse to give number ratings to Curry, it’s all comparative. Black and white maybe, a Curry either has it, or it doesn’t.
The Flavour in the Masala quite simply astonished. The richness, the intensity, the Seasoning. QED. Only after the palate was flooded with the complex array of Spices did the heat hit, and it hit hard. Achtung! Many could not have handled this. Then there’s the recognition that venues which do serve a Curry with this level of Spice-heat, tend to lose the Flavour. As any idiot can throw Meat on a grill, any Curry Chef can chuck in Chilli Powder. Today at Punjabi Zaiqa, this was not the case, perfection.
I studied the Masala some more. Flecks of something white, Garlic presumably, were complemented by fresh Curry Leaves and and more flecks of green, an unknown Herb. The distinctive – Desi Korma – Flavour was here, I always get a hint of Citrus. Having experimented with replicating this – King of Curry – at home, I still know not from where this comes. The secret of Mace/Nutmeg?
I hadn’t even started on the Meat.
These were cuts I couldn’t recognise, no Sucky Bones, no Ribs. One bone stood out, Chapatti John may know. Soft, Tender Lamb, full of – Lamby – Flavour, some bits giving more, a couple surprisingly – Dry. Most pieces could be tackled with a fork, I had to resort to using a knife for the final three, then fingers. There’s nothing to beat getting tore in. The Spiciest Korma ever encountered, the Hector was truly stuffed at the end. Bloody Hell – yes I had to say it aloud once more. There were two runny noses, yet there was no duress. This was how to both Spice and Season a Curry.
From across the table was heard a series of – mmmmms – The Good Doctor was sharing the experience. This was only his second visit to Punjabi Zaiqa, he knew what to order. Stan was finding his – Medium – to be Spicy also. No prisoners.
Very rich and spicy – began Dr. Stan – full of different spices, tender meat.
Well that says it all.
Lamm Karahi (Ohne Knocken)
Having seen his fair share of – kilos – I think Steve was taken aback by the sheer quantity of Meat on the flat karahi. The same green Herb was accompanied by Coriander and a swirl of – Yoghurt? The Dry, Thick and absolutely Minimal Masala shrouded the Lamb. One would need a microscope to find the Oily residue. Despite the lack of bones, this looked magnificent. I shall have to keep this photo to hand and wave it in front of waiters and ask it their Karahi Gosht looks like this, or the plate of Capsicum and Soup, or worse, Stir-Fry, that the Mainstream dish out. This was authentic Lahori/Punjabi Karahi Gosht.
Steve certainly enjoyed the finest Curry he has ever had in Berlin:
It was a beautifully spiced Curry. Hot, lots of different spice experiences all over the plate. The meat was slightly dry. Very good, I would come back.
Well most certainly, now that he knows where Punjabi Zaiqa is.
Three views on Punjabi Zaiqa. I still have not managed to get my Berlin friends to come here.
The Bill
€16.40 (£14.31) For mine, we paid separately.
The Aftermath
As I was paying, I spotted the expired Lunchtime Menu. Maybe sharing a Karahi and an Aloo Gobi (€8.90) could be one for the future. That means a 13.00 start.