I did give enough hints. On this, the final trip by ‘plane of 2026, there will be a lot more Bier consumed than Curry. Though with luck, a totally off the wall locus for a Curry Haus shall appear after this entry.
Berlin Brandenburg Flughafen was chaotic when it opened, currently things have become more efficient, though it’s still easier to arrive than depart. Somehow, at 18.45, exactly two hours after touchdown, the Hector found himself in Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland). The last visit here, in the dark, was for the final party night at Bräugier.
The external signage and multitude of posters inside, made it impossible not to note the additional rebranding – Punjabi Schwarma. Who wants a German Donner Kebap when one can have Punjabi?
The glossy printed menu shows nothing has changed price-wise this year. What would change is how Hector would order his Desi Qorma.
Lamb is very much back in vogue in Hector’s diet, so no messing about with Chicken Qorma as on the last visit in June.
I went up to the counter:
Punjabi Lamb Korma, Desi Style, mit Knochen (€13.90) mit nur ein Naan (€3.00) … no Rice, and I’ll take a drink.
All main courses at Punjabi Zaiqa come with a mountain of Rice. After last Saturday’s struggle at Kalinga (Glasgow), the Hector was taking no chances. Not having Rice with a Desi Qorma feels wrong.
The serving chap insisted I made it clear – ohne Reis – was the Order.
That would give him a pricing headache.
I took a 500ml bottle of Fanta from the fridge. The menu shows prices for 330ml and the litre only.
Taking in my surroundings, the room has not changed, but the counter has.
The food on display has moved to the left. More visible, less clutter. Four other diners were present, I witnessed a mountain of Biryani go to the far end of the room. So much Rice.
My food arrived way quicker than expected. The Naan, needlessly perforated to restrict its rising, but still puffy enough. Burnt blisters, and out of focus. Being a sensible size, I sensed that I may well manage the lot. But €3.00 for this? A bit steep, especially when they are throwing Roti (€1.90) at you with some Dishes.
Punjabi Lamm Korma, Desi Style, mit Knochen
The Toppings were not as complex as in June. Then, the full array of – foliage – and a wedge of Lemon. Today, just a mass of Coriander.
The quantity of Masala was such that I knew immediately why Rice is the better accompaniment. I had made my choice, a Dipping Fest it would be.
Again, contrary to the norm, I decided to decant to the plate rather than eat directly from the karahi. I wanted to see what was in there.
Four large pieces of Meat, one on-the-bone, plus tiddlers. One of these I took to be a Sucky Bone and was therefore surprised when it turned out to be a comparably sized piece of Lamb. The cylindrical cut, from where, who knows.
The Masala, so much Masala, and no Rice. This was a Soupy Curry, but with a sauce of this quality, bring it on. The Oily sheen, the flecks of Yoghurt, but no Citrus aroma. Some Coriander had been cooked in, such was the temperature of the food in the karahi, I’m sure the Toppings must have started to cook in there too. Hot food.
The Spice Level was sufficient, the Seasoning fine. I read a review on another source, a chap giving warning about how well-Seasoned the food is at Punjabi Zaiqa. Maybe he doesn’t understand – Curry.
Still no Citrus, but the hoped for Flavours were otherwise present. In time, three Green Cardamom were extracted from the Masala. Whole Spice.
Scooping as much Masala on to the pieces of Naan, eating – Asian style. More sauce than Meat. The Lamb was superbly Tender, and gave off such a blast of Flavour, there was no doubting this animal once went – baa, not – moo.
Towards the end, a whole Clove, then another, further blasts of Flavour on the palate.
Whole Spice, the Desi box well ticked. With Bamberg calling tomorrow, no chance of another visit to Punjabi Zaiqa until next year. This is a special place.
As I ate the final morsels, a mature chap who could well have been the owner, acknowledged me. He would depart before I had the opperchancity to engage.
The Bill
€16.90 (£14.13) All was well, Naan included.
The Aftermath
The serving chap may well have remembered me.
Until next year.
A couple of hours later at Biererei, the afterglow, I don’t know if it was the hops, but there was certainly – the Citrus.