Berlin again, this trip was long in the planning. After a Big Birthday comes – The Big Birthday Trip – and the resurrection of – Hector’s Horrible Holidays. FYI, Hector’s is next year, ceteris paribus. Already, Athena has been mentioned.
Whilst Athena has an impressive array of Desi Curry Houses to choose from, this is not the case in Berlin. With around one hundred and fifty Curry Houses in the Berlin region, the Fayre, as established over many years, remains decidedly second division. Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland) is the exception, the – go-to – place in this cosmopolitan city. Why the vast majority of Restaurateurs persist in serving – what they think the locals can handle – instead of what they themselves eat at home, is surely misleading, and disrespecting the food from the Indian Subcontinent.
Hector, Marg and Adam, making his debut in Curry-Heute, were due to be at Punjabi Zaiqa by 15.00 having partaken in the so-called Berliner Unterwelten experience. It’s all about tunnels. Howard and Josh had already arrived as we entered the spacious restaurant punctually. They hadn’t ordered, waiting for the Maestro to lead the way.
A different chap was serving today, he would carefully note each order and offered to take payment either at the start, or later. I took a large bottle of Fanta (€3.50) from the fridge. Howard already had a small bottle (€2.50) and quickly realised the discordant pricing.
Lamm Korma mit Knochen (€12.90), Desi Korma, Spicy, zweimal, – was my overture. Marg, who was having the same was not happy. My asking for – Spicy – was not to her liking. As was the – debate – last Friday for the Ramadan Buffet at The Village (Glasgow), I had to convince her that all would be well. This is Deutschland, only once has the Hector heard of a Curry being served that was blisteringly Spicy. That was a West Berlin Curry House nearly two decades ago, and the Chef was from Glasgow. Hector was not present.
That the Lamb Korma comes with Rice was once again confirmed. Knowing Marg’s preference for Bread, I tried to have this come as Rice for one, plus a Naan (€2.50).
Howard and Josh both ordered the Lamb Korma, Josh, a Naan too. He’s a growing boy. This was also Josh’s first visit to Berlin, never mind Punjabi Zaiqa.
Adam chose a different path, Chicken Biryani (€12.90) plus a Naan.
We took our seats, Steve arrived. Not for the first time, he had given in to temptation at the last minute. Having been here before, he ordered: Lamm Karahi, mit Knochen (€14.90) and a Garlic Naan (€3.00). Last time it was – ohne Knochen (€16.90). One pays less for the – on-the-bone – version at Punjabi Zaiqa, how fair is that? Karahi comes with two Roti (€1.50) per person. I wonder if Steve realised this?
Having consulted a well-known and reliable Curry Blog, I can confirm that Steve was here in November 2023, and on that day, Hector’s Lamb Korma was seriously Spicy.
Six diners, my best congregation yet, others have already declared their intention to come here on Wednesday. Looks as though I’ll be back. Normally I would come to Punjabi Zaiqa once on a trip, then try somewhere new, thus expanding upon the twenty three Berlin Curry Houses reviewed in these pages.
Comes with Rice – the European norm, and if one desires more, it’s another €2.50.
Comes with Rice – should be a warning. For the four of us who qualified, two large handi were presented. I immediately knew we would struggle to finish one of these, especially with Bread on the way too. Being later in the day, and only Day #2 of the trip, the appetite had not been castrated. I would take more Rice than my norm.
The three Naan also looked like a mountain of Bread. Served whole, risen, puffy, blistered, the pedigree was there for all to appreciate. My own Bread intake would be minimal. For me, a Desi Korma works better with Rice given the more – Soupy – nature of the Curry. Yet , in Deutschland, it has been reported that they like – dipping – their Bread in Shorva.
Lamm Korma
With four karahi on the table it felt strange only photographing one Curry.
Yours won’t taste as good as mine because the Hector has not photographed it – I assured my fellow diners.
Fresh Coriander and Ginger Strips sat on top of the abundant Masala with the Oil collecting on the edge of the karahi. The Yoghurt flecks were visible in the Masala. On decanting the Meat, I would stir this to recreate the full splendour.
Howard knows, I trust he did the same. The Meat count confirmed a conservative portion, just about reaching double figures.
Whole Peppercorns revealed themselves very quickly. There was a decent – kick – and possibly lower Seasoning than on my last visit here, a mere two weeks ago. The all important Spice Level would surely be at acceptable level for Marg. She tends to react to anything with Spice then gets on with it. All was reportedly well across the table.
The big Desi Flavour was a standout, unique to Desi Korma, one wonders why this Curry is so rare. Maybe having Korma on a menu twice would lead to confusion?
The Meat was firm-tender, and giving of Flavour. Howard immediately remarked that he could actually taste – Lamb! Josh was saying nothing, an achievement perhaps, this Curry had shut him up (emoticon understood).
With a full on appetite, for once, I could have done with more Meat, but then I would have need more Masala. Karahi can be ordered on a sliding price scale depending on the number of people. Maybe Desi Korma needs the same approach?
In the end, I congratulated myself for having judged the combination of Curry and Rice to perfection. Hector’s plate was cleared, and apart from the Bones, this was reflected elsewhere.
I had my fellow diners text me their thoughts afterwards. Marg:
My husband ordered my dish mentioning spicy. When the meal arrived I tasted the sauce with the nan bread. It was wonderful. Full of flavour and had my taste buds ringing.
The meat was on the bone and I was able to pick it up and chew off the tender meat. We had an abundance of rice and I added more to my dish as I was hungry.
I finished the dish very satisfied and full. A very enjoyable dish.
Howard can be relied upon for a word or ten:
Lamb Curry, of the correct type, i.e. authentic, is my default. But there’s sometimes an issue where the lamb and sauce are only introduced at serving point. Today was different as the first big moment was that the lamb tasted of lamb. Very impressive. I struggled with trying to identify the flavours in the sauce but on consulting a well known expert he pointed me in the direction of yoghurt and citrus. A major step up from Korma as some people know it. Spice levels were not super hot and the nan and sauce worked well together. In addition, there was a shed load of rice. As I had been walking, and with nothing to eat beforehand, I managed a decent portion. I will go back.
How has he missed this treat previously? Josh:
I didn’t have on the bone, but the lamb was quite delicate and juicy, easily falling apart.
Another not overly powering spicy sauce, leaving just the right amount of warmth to the tongue.
Rice wasn’t overly amazing, seemingly dry, and certainly requiring the korma sauce to give it some life.
Josh later explained that he doesn’t eat a lot of Rice, Bread is his preference. Maybe he needs to explore Vegetable Biryani as an accompaniment? Chicken Biryani makes its inaugural appearance in Curry-Heute courtesy of Adam.
Chicken Biryani
The portion size was overwhelming. There was enough here for a family to share.
Chicken Pilau – is how the Hector knows this Dish, and had oft when visiting Sheerin Palace (Glasgow) as an accompaniment to Curry. When I first encountered Biryani, in my youth, and thanks to Joe for coming up with – Hotspot – that very same Glasgow venue from the 1970s, it always came with a Shorva/Masala. A bowl of Raita had been brought to the table, we concluded this was Adam’s accompaniment. Without this, the Biryani could have been mega-dull.
I shall bow to Adam, whom I assume has this regularly:
Curry was enjoyable, but the chicken was a tad dry, plenty of rice. The creamy side sauce was a welcome addition.
Marg insisted that Adam try some of the Masala from the Desi Korma. This impressed instantly, relief perhaps from his Sisyphus-like challenge.
Adam would take a fair-sized piece of Naan away with him. I think he had seen enough Rice to satisfy his desire.
We were well underway when Steve’s Karahi Gosht and accompaniments were brought to the table. More Rice, I suggested that he graciously decline it. Marg had other ideas. His would be hot. True, but our level of wastage was there for all to see. Steve accepted the Rice, a man who can manage Rice and Bread with a Curry.
Lamm Karahi
This Karahi Gosht had way more Masala than seen here previously. The quantity of Meat appeared to be significantly more than presented above. Served on a flat karahi, it 
looked to be – the business. With Coriander, Ginger Strips and the big wedge of Lemon, plenty to complement the Masala. Steve:
Good size portion with large chunks of tender lamb, some on the bone. Nice (?) level of heat and good combination of spices. Highly recommended.
As we waited for Steve to finish his Karahi, Rice and Bread, I considered the unresolved matter of – The Leftover Rice. To prove a point, I combined the three pots. QED.
The Bill
€31.80 (£26.79) For Marg and Hector only.
The Aftermath
An hour later, walking through Kreuzberg, I marvelled at the aftertaste, the Citrus.