As reported earlier in the week in the sister Blog – Bier-Traveller, Hector is enjoying an extended break in België. Arriving in Brussel early afternoon, the chaps at the much loved Chilli Grill had not responded to my message, and were not answering their phone. They open when they open. Time to try a new venue.
Hector has been searching for Punjabi Fayre for years in the Belgian capital. In 2017, there was an eastward trek way to Panjab Tandoori Cuisine, which ticked the boxes but was still towards Mainstream. Only last year did Chanab Tandoori pop up in Anderlecht, now I find a cluster of Desi Curry Houses revealing themselves in this area to the west of Brussel-Zuid, the main train station.
Mithu da Dhaba (Rue Brogniez 78, 1070 Anderlecht, Koninkrijk België) is one of two restaurants on the same street with the same name. The other shop has Afghan cuisine, Karahi, next year. It didn’t take much reading on the Pakistani outlet’s menu to have the Hector heading there immediately after checking into the way too expensive Ibis. at Brussel-Zuid. Dr. Stan is at another Ibis, he saved a Euro, or two.
I reached Mithu da Dhaba at 14.10, Dr. Stan arrived some ten minutes later by which time the Hector was ensconced. As with the Desi Curry Houses in the UK, the ready Dishes were on display, and what an array.
The enthusiastic chap behind the counter talked me through them. Everything on the menu, and probably more, was here. The final tray looked particularly interesting. The chap tapped his lower leg.
Paya! – announced the Hector.
There was applause all round, well the chap behind the counter, and a customer sitting at the nearest table, were well amused. The language of Curry is universal.
Mutton Qorma (€10.00) is why I was here. There had to be Rice, and the only Rice on display was Chicken Biryani (€8.00), it had to be. This happens oft at Sheerin Palace (Glasgow). I helped myself to a CAN of the glorious Belgian Fanta (€1.50), and took a table in sight of everything.
There would always be too many people to truly capture the mood of the place: clean, bright, busy – should do. I noted everyone paying in cash, not a problem, I always have enough, just in case.
A small Salad with Raita was brought when I asked for a drinking vessel.
Chicken Biryani
A sensible plateful, well I would manage nearly all of the Rice. Enough Chicken, cooked on-the-bone to call this a main course.
The Rice had a sufficient level of moistness, the Raita would not really be needed if one was having this as a stand alone meal, but probably better – with. There was definite Flavour from the Rice, the Spice Level took me by surprise. As for the Chicken, it was there, and would provide more solids for my Curry.
Mutton Qorma
A decent sprinkling of Coriander sat atop the plateful of Meat, on-the-bone, and Shorva. The hoped for aroma of Citrus was absent as were Yoghurt Flecks, so not the much sought after Desi Korma. The Meat count was into double figures, the Bone count was minimal.
As ever, I retained some of the Shorva for the endgame, assured that the Pilau Rice need not be saturated. Oh-so-soft Mutton, but sadly not giving back the Spice. However, the palate was already in a good place thanks to the Biryani. The Seasoning in the Qorma was comparatively low, the Pilau was doing the heavy lifting, so a worthy combination. Mixing the Salad through the Rice did add an extra variety of Texture. Despite the occasional Ginger Strip adding some bite, the overall intensity of Flavour did not match that which is served at Chilli Grill.
A Green Cardamom revealed itself, from the Qorma or Biryani, I shall never know. The pedigree of the meal was thus assured, Desi Curry.
Dr. Stan arrived, looked at what I was having, and went up to order the same. It was only after he sat down that the tray of White Rice was put out on display.
Dr. Stan ate the lot, but seemed to be perturbed by the Chicken Bones.
I thought the mutton was tender, there was spice in the sauce. I enjoyed it, Plain Rice next time. Bones in the chicken, the rice tasted good, Vegetable Biryani would be better.
Indeed, two people sharing a Vegetable Biryani is always a good option, then Bread can be introduced. There was no Vegetable Biryani at this branch of Mithu da Dhaba.
A chap in a white jacket entered the premises and went straight behind the counter, Mein Host. Unfortunately, he had gone before I paid and had the opperchancity to introduce myself.
The Bill
€19.50 (£16.91) Card payment accepted.
The Aftermath
I don’t know how much of my spiel the serving chap understood, he got the gist. I was then able to secure the above photos of the food array, and as Dr. Stan paid, an action shot of the venue.
Update
There is no other branch, as established the following day.
2025 Menu
