Indisk mad

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I'm sure there are many scatter-brained Indians around (not more than the statistical average one likes to think). However, the title of this post, eye-catching though it may be, does not really refer to 'mad' Indians.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Danish language (and for some bizarre reason about 5 adults and 2 youngsters in my non-Danish friend circle seem to be up to speed with this Nordic language!) the title 'Indisk mad' translates as 'Indian food'. I encountered the phrase, not long ago, in picturesque Copenhagen.

It never ceases to amaze me that whichever city I visit, some South Asian dude seems to have been there long enough to have a booming curry place. Is there any major capital city left in the world that doesn't  have at least one 'Indian' restaurant?? In most towns these restaurant have adapted themselves to suit the local palette- offering a fusion of dishes from the Indian sub-continent along with flavours popular locally. The Indian sub-continent is pretty huge, encompassing India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. So depending on who set up the restaurant, or which country/ region/ state the chef is from, the food can taste very different!

I was amused to see that  'Samosa Food' restaurant in central Copenhagen (outside Norreport station) has stuck with the Punjabi/ Delhi/ Sindhi (?) version of Butter Chicken & Tandoori Chicken rather than the anglicised Chicken Tikka Masala. They also seemed to have 'Lam' Curry and 'Lam' Palak" on offer. A quick check tells me that 'Lam' is Danish for lamb and not a mis-spelling.

I must admit I didn't actually try anything in the restaurant (not even a samosa!). Apart from the fact that it looked 'closed' for the public holiday or at least for the morning, the display-menu offered little hope to a plant-loving veggie like me. Worth pointing out that this is not the only 'desi' place in CPH- I noticed a few others while walking in the city centre.  Alas, I cannot comment on their Indian or even South Asian authenticity in any way. The small text on the door of this one read 'Indisk/ Pakistanske retter and delikatesser ('Indian/ Pakistani dishes and delicacies').



If truth be told, the dinner parties and lunches with my friends, as well as the the more international vegetarian buffet at Riz-raz, were all so yummy,  that I feel no pang of regret for skipping the Indisk mad and sunde salater ( 'Indian food and healthy salads') at this little joint!

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