Two visits in one week to Royal Punjab (Venloer Str. 4, 50672 Köln, Deutschland), there must be something special happening here. When first discovered back in 2017 it was enough to have Steve and Dr. Stan come and sample the Buffet. For reasons to do with included breakfasts, no chance of them joining Hector for the Curry-Heute ritual on this trip. Why have breakfast when one can have Curry?
Friday at 13.30, it’s becoming another ritual. Mein Host greeted me with a wave from the back of the restaurant as I entered. I took the same seat as on Wednesday.
Hector was back to try the Kofta. Where else on Köln serves Kofta, i.e. in a Curry House? I had considered asking for an Egg.
The Kofta Masala (€12.90) comes with Rice, as do all Mains at Royal Punjab. Kofta with Rice? Hector would be thrown out the Brownies if that was ordered. I cancelled the Rice and ordered a Butter Nan (€2.90). Spicy – was agreed. A 0.4l glass of Sparkling Water (€3.50) completed the Order.
Hackfleischröllschen mit Kräuter-Masalasauce – was the given description for the Kofta, I awaited with interest to discover how much this would differ from the traditional – Kofta Anda served in a Shorva.
Today, three diners were sat at the window, more would arrive, some sat outside. Those who sat inside, well, there was another classic moment.
Overheard, in Deutsch, – Chicken, but not Spicy.
Each to their own.
The food arrived after a respectable period of preparation. The Butter Naan was in bits, and just how much Butter had they spread across it? The thin, peely wally, Bread was – as limp as a chewed rag (Kipling).
My first Bread order at Royal Punjab could be the last.
Kofta Masala
Four generously large Meatballs sat in the House Masala. The description – Kräuter-Masalasauce – has made me speculate as to the actual – Herb/ Kräuter – content, would it be close to Kofta Palak? Sadly, not, and there wasn’t much sign of Herb in the Masala. The Masala appeared to be their standard, blended, with Onions stirred back in. I’m sure the much recommended Lamm Accharri was not as red as this.
The mere sprinkling of Coriander on top would be the only noted Herb. Two sticks of Ginger completed the Toppings.
Spicy, well-Seasoned – were the first notes. I marvelled at the size of the Kofta, each would initially become four pieces, later these were subdivided. This was a lot of Meatball. Hector and Dr. Stan had well-Seasoned Frikadellen, twice in Düsseldorf last night. Nought wrong with Meatballs, or so I thought.
Last Saturday at Bombaywalla – Indian Street Kitchen (Glasgow), Hector was tested by a particularly Spicy and very well-Seasoned Curry. Today, the Spice was not an issue, the Salt content was.
I’ve left a blank, a pause whilst my readers pick themselves off the floor. I wonder if Chef had tasted his creation? The more I ate, the closer the Kofta came to being inedible. The Salt was simply excessive in the extreme. The Naan offered a bit of temperance when eaten together, however, it was so poor, it soon became set aside, as was the remaining Masala.
I never thought I would conclude a review with these words, I’ll write then in Deutsch so that I can maintain my credibility:
Weniger Salz, bitte.
The Bill
€16.30 (£13.92) An adjustment had been made since I didn’t take the inclusive Rice.
The Aftermath
Five visits to Royal Punjab, this commands a stand alone page in Curry-Heute. My third visit achieved the status of – Wow! – for that alone, Royal Punjab deserves its place in – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses.
I do not recommend the – Kofta Masala.