Entering Indian Mango (Zweibrückenstraße 15, 80331, München, Deutschland) and not being recognised will take getting used to. Arriving at 12.40, Mein Host for today took me through to the rear. Sensible, it gave me space for luggage. The 10.17 ICE from Bamberg was too good a price to refuse, so the Hector had an early rise and consequently time to kill before a 14.00 check-in.
The original plan on this trip was to accompany Dr. Stan to Köln and have a night there before flying back to Manchester. Some months ago, Mr. O’Leary had other ideas, a substitute easyJet flight from München became the optimum route home. That’s if ‘planes are flying, another Icelandic volcano is due to erupt at any moment. Curry-Heute was in its infancy when Eyjafjallajökull did its thing. Indian Mango had already established itself as a must visit Curry House pre Curry-Heute. We were at this very venue the day the realisation dawned that we were potentially stuck, in continental Europe. The founder, Mr. Jolly Kunjappu witnessed our dilemma. Mr. Jolly retired at some point during the Covid era, hence Indian Mango (New-co).
The menu has remained the same despite the change of ownership. I didn’t recognise any of the Chefs, nor they me. Fisch Chettinad, the Curry I have promoted here for some thirteen years long disappeared from the menu, but remained available on demand. Today, I decided to keep things simple and have Lamb Chettinad Spezialität (scharf) (€15.90) which, being in Europe, comes with inclusive Basmati. Mein Host for the day appeared not to be familiar with this Curry on the menu. A 0.4l glass of Sparkling Water (€3.00) completed the Order.
Indian Mango was busy, but then it always is. The Mittagskarte – Lunch Card starting under €6.00 remains great value. Hector always has a la carte.
The quantity of Rice matched that of the Curry. Some years back, I did challenge the quantity of Curry, maybe it’s time to shut up. Anyway, as always, there would be leftover Rice.
Lamb Chettinad Spezialität (scharf)
Fifteen decent-sized, pieces of Lamb were removed from the dark, rich Masala and arranged on top of the Basmati. The Toppings were a threat of Coriander leaves and stems, these were mixed through the Masala before it too was spooned on. It was earlier than the Hector prefers to eat, here goes anyway.
The – kick – from the Masala registered immediately and kept growing. This was a Spicy Curry. The Seasoning was fine, perhaps a tad below the Hector idyll. Whilst the Flavours were powerful, there was nothing South Indian coming across. No smoked Chilli sensation today. The once super-gritty Texture has long gone.
The first pieces of Meat felt as if they were crumbling in the mouth. Others did require chewing. For the first time in a week, here was Lamb giving off its own Flavour and the Spice. The Meat was therefore bursting with Flavour, this is how Curry should be.
Chettinad? Had the server cocked up the Order, or has the recipe been lost? For me this was a quality Lamb Bhuna, the characteristics were spot on: Dry, Thick Masala, richly Flavoured. If I had been served this Curry at Samrat & Spices (Bamberg) last Saturday, I would have been raving about it. Today’s Curry was still in a different league to anything found in Deutschland, Punjabi Zaiqa (Berlin) excepted.
Visits here have, in the majority, been about Chettinad, therefore too good to miss when Geography limits the number of opperchancities. Later in the menu is Home Made Mutton Curry with Bone (€14.90) and a Fish equivalent for (€14.00). Once again, Fish is cheaper then Meat in Europe. A Desi-style Curry in München, maybe tomorrow?
The Bill
€19.00 (£16.60)
The Aftermath
Having squeezed past the throng at the doorway to pay, there was no chance of further discourse. Delivery chaps and Takeaway customers were aplenty. The New-co is holding its own.