Isn’t it ironic that one of the best Indian cuisines that I’ve had was not in my own country but on an international trip to Munich?
A fondness for Indian food is evident in our search for Indian restaurants as soon as we arrive in any foreign destination.
Although we do like to try the local cuisine of the region, after a while it’s our Indian food that we crave.
The culinary escapades though, are a tapestry of mixed experiences — sometimes good, at times average.
The Allure of Familiar Flavors
Googling on the internet in Munich on the first day, we found an Indian restaurant, and as usual, without much expectations in tow, we headed there.
Surprisingly, the experience was mind-blowing!
Though compact, the tastefully decorated restaurant exuded a warm, homely, and welcoming ambiance. Comfortable sofas adorned with cushions in vibrant, ethnic patterns, captured the essence of Indian culture.
However, what was truly outstanding was the food. It was exceptional in terms of taste, quality, and freshness.
This cute restaurant owned by an Indian lady who moved here two decades ago deserves a 5 out of 5 rating.
It was incredible how she was managing everything alone, which included — taking orders, laying the table in exquisite tableware, and serving the food and drinks. All this with a friendly disposition and a perpetual smile on the face!
I was equally impressed by the way she was conversing fluently in German with local guests. On enquiring, she shared that she had learned the language after shifting to Munich. It was hard to believe that a non-german was so well versed in German.
From the succulent chicken tikka to the soft, creamy paneer butter masala and the spongy, melt-in-the-mouth gulab jamuns, each dish was truly delectable. And it became our go-to dining spot for all three days of our stay in Munich.
So enamored were we after finishing our final day’s dinner at the restaurant, that my husband couldn’t resist joking, “Can you parcel the food to Bangalore ?!!! She burst out laughing, her face lighting up with joy and pride.
Though one aspect of dining in restaurants abroad that I am not pleased about is their policy of charging exorbitantly for bottled water. This is difficult to fathom and unbelievable, as drinking water is offered free in my country. To add to the woes, bringing your own water bottle is strictly not allowed. For whatever reason this might be, but it is not appreciated. Hope this trend changes.
