Today was visit #5 to Lahore Kebab House (2-10 Umberston St., Whitechapel, London, E1 1PY, England), traditionally a significant one in Curry-Heute. By no means a perfect establishment, still another return to this venue. Having explored other areas of that London, it’s approaching three years since we were last here. That was not a particularity outstanding visit, and notably, Lord Clive and Lady Maggie clearly had not been back in the interim. Dilpasand, across the street, has been a distraction in the interim.
Lahore Kebab House was almost empty when we arrived at 14.00, West Ham v Arsenal had just kicked off and was being shown on the multi-screens around the restaurant. As West Ham leaked more and more goals, so the place filled. For the first time, I spotted that a BYOB system is in operation. It wasn’t the bottles of wine on the table, but a bottle of Black Label, that gave it away. I carefully refrained from taking photos of the customers who were imbibing. Who knows who reads this reliable and incriminating Curry Blog?
The menu was on the table and as expected, prices had increased significantly since 2021. Rice (£4.75) aside for a solo diner, they still remain competitive.
Being a Sunday, some of the – Specials – were available, none took our fancy. Dry Lamb (£12.00) now seemingly available daily, has yet to be tried. The Hector had not yet generated enough saliva to tackle this today, something – wet – was required.
On visit #1 back in 2016, Methi Gosht (£12.00) went down well, time to sample this again. Last time, Fish Curry (£12.00) did not particularly impress Maggie and Hector, the Curry was not what Clive had enjoyed here in 2019. Despite reminding Maggie of this fact, she ordered Fish Curry again. There are no prizes for guessing Clive’s order: Keema Curry (£12.00) with a Keema Naan (£4.50). Knowing that a portion of Pilau (£4.75) would be substantial, it was declared that Hector’s Rice would be available for all. Maggie ordered a Tandoori Paratha also.
750ml bottles of Still (£3.00) and Sparkling Water (£3.00) proved to be excellent value. No devil’s water at our table.
A modest Salad and Raita arrived.
Even the mint has chilli in it! – remarked Maggie.
It’s a Curry House – was the Hector’s somewhat curt reply.
The wait was appropriate. Usually we would have ordered the excellent Seekh Kebab (£2.00) as a distraction whilst waiting. Not today. Maybe the three of us knew how much other food we had eaten last night.
The Pilau was mostly white, not as one would expect. Presented on a plate there was way more than a Hector could manage. Diced Carrots and Peas were mixed in, but just a threat, nowhere near enough to consider the word – Biryani. After helping myself, I passed the plate on. Both Clive and Maggie’s Rice requirements were sated.
*
The Tandoori Paratha, served in two pieces, appeared to have been made from Wholemeal Flour and was greasy. With no suggestion of the spiral, not the best example ever seen. The Keema Naan, served in quarters, was bursting at the seams. The brown Mince was clearly visible in what was a Naan with serious girth. Clive managed all but what one might leave if it were a pizza, an outside edge, no crust here. How he can eat this feast and a Curry remains a mystery.
Keema Curry
The Keema at Lahore Kebab House was back to what it was, no needless Masala, and just a bit of peripheral Oil collecting. Last time here, I had to shake my head such was the excess liquid. The quantity of Meat appeared to be enormous, however, something was lurking, buried beneath the Keema. One large, single piece of Potato was unearthed, Diversity. Aloo Keema, even better. Efficacy restored.
An unexpected surprise of a potato. An excellent spice level, very good, just on the border of being too hot.
Fish Curry
The – soupy – orange Masala with strips of large, sliced Onions, was a replica of that which did not please last visit. How did Clive secure such a markedly different version previously? This Curry required Rice.
Having reminded Maggie, again, that neither of us were particularly taken by the Fish Curry in 2021, she concluded:
Too hot last time, not so today, cleared my sinuses. The Fish wasn’t as good as – the Fish Curry – (Indian Mango, München). I have a cold, can’t say much more.
*
Methi Gosht
As visit #1 revealed, the Masala was approaching – Shorva. Rice was definitely required. The dark coloured Masala looked as Peppery as it did Herb-rich. Dry Methi Leaves had been sprinkled on top, one cannot say how much, if any, had been cooked in. This was the favoured Masala with Methi, not the mass of – green – that some premises present. Ten pieces of Meat were arranged on the Rice, as ever half of the Masala was retained for the end game.
Tender Meat – was an initial note, but this was revised downwards as progress was made. Most of the Lamb/Mutton was quite chewy, Kabana (Manchester) this was not, closer to the cheaper cuts served in Athena Curry Cafes. The intensity of Flavours coming from the Meat is why I was back.
The Spice built slowly. The Methi was not in one’s face, one slowly realised the Herb presence. The Spice Level built more, Flavours emerged. The food was never more than – warm – which did restrict the degree of positive reporting. Far from being outstanding, this was simply comfort eating. By the end, the palate was in a very happy place, more Methi might have clinched it. Still, here was authentic, Desi Cuisine.
The Bill
£54.75 Cash only, card machine not working. For once, this was not an issue. Lahore Kebab House has a free to use cash machine embedded in their window outside.
The Aftermath
Our departure was delayed as we went to fetch cash in a relay. One or two staff did nod as we departed. By this time, the place was pretty full. 0 v 6!
The tally of visits commands that Lahore Kebab House be added to Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses.