マトンベイガンとパラクパニールをやる : BAWARCHI

December 2023 I successfully revisited after 3 years, starting with a hop between a horse meat izakaya and an oden shop. Anand was operating solo this time, and while the menu hadn't changed, alcoholic drinks were limited to beer. There was a notice stating that photography inside was prohibited except for food shots. Following past experiences, I ordered: - Kingfisher - Mutton Baigan - Palak Paneer - Tandoori Roti The Mutton Baigan was packed with tender mutton and brimming with flavor, topped with julienned ginger. It had just the right amount of spice and a rich umami flavor. No matter how many times I eat it, it's always incredibly delicious! The Palak Paneer was equally amazing, with a strong aroma of spinach and heaps of creamy paneer. I enjoyed tearing off pieces of the Tandoori Roti and without a care in the world, polished off the entire meal. Thank you for the wonderful meal. I truly hope the owner remains healthy and continues the business for many years to come. After settling the bill, I hurriedly hopped onto the Saikyo Line to get to Ikebukuro Station. July 2024 I visited for a solo lunch. Anand was as lively as ever. I requested the two-item lunch, choosing a spicy mutton and spinach combo. Rice was automatically served in a large size. The spice of the mutton and the creamy, smooth flavor of the Palak Paneer are always absolutely superb. Thank you for the wonderful meal. I will be back. October 2024 Once again, I visited for lunch. I ordered the spicy mutton and spinach, the same as last time, but opted for spinach without the Palak Paneer.

Once again, I was invited to Bawarchi. This time, it was a fully reserved sho curry collaboration day. As soon as I took my seat, food started coming out. First, since it was hot, I quickly ordered a Kingfisher Small Bottle, JPY 650, tax included. Not long after, the Mutton Palak Dal Eggplant and Onion Achaar Lassi, JPY 1,500, tax included collaboration set was served. I had the option to choose between naan and rice, so I opted for rice. I started with the Palak. It had a deep green color, a stable smoothness, and rich depth, with potatoes instead of paneer. No matter how many times I eat it, it’s delicious! The dal was a surprisingly first experience for me. It had a perfect thickness and a gentle yet complex spice flavor. The mutton was powerfully flavorful, with Junko’s mutton being the only one with bones. I enjoyed the eggplant and onion achaar alternately, and before I knew it, it was all gone. It was a great meal! I cooled down with a lassi while chatting for a while. They also offered takeout that day. On my way out, I was delighted to receive a Kingfisher small bottle as a souvenir, which was a thoughtful touch. It seems they are planning a second event by the end of the year!♪

When I reserved my visit during the scorching sunset, to my surprise, the restaurant was empty. The owner, lively and chatty despite complaining about the heat of his mask, made conversation enjoyable as I ordered the following menu items (*´∀｀)つ ◼️ Chilled Beer (Medium Size) It disappeared in an instant. ◼️ Kingfisher Beer (Small Size) The red label version with Alc 7.5% was sold out, so I ordered the regular green bottle and enjoyed it. ◼️ Chicken Tikka (2 Pieces) Served with onion achaar. It was surprisingly generous in portion size, resting on a bed of green sauce. It had a punchy saltiness that matched perfectly with the beer. ◼️ Punjabi Kulcha It came with cumin and the flavor of crushed vegetables. Very chewy and delicious ( ﾟДﾟ)！ ◼️ White Wine (Bottle) You can take home any leftovers. ◼️ Palak Paneer – JPY 1,250 This time, I chose a vegetable dish with cheese and spinach. It's vibrant with tomatoes on top. The rich taste and smooth texture of the spinach were absolutely exceptional ( ﾟДﾟ)！ ◼️ Mutton Baingan – JPY 1,250 A dish of eggplant and mutton. I can't explain it well, but the initial punch of saltiness is followed by a complex blend of spices that spreads across my palate and lifts to my nose. The eggplant is incredibly delicious ( ﾟ□ﾟ)！ The mutton chunks are generous too! I scooped it up with the kulcha, completely lost in delight. I’m glad I made this choice. It was a great meal. After a light chat with the owner, I settled the bill in cash. Indeed, it’s a renowned establishment.

I returned to Bawarchi, where I was once taken by Junko-san. The owner, as always, had a sharp gaze and was busy cooking. Despite the small space, customers kept coming in! Since it was lunch time, I decided on the two-choice lunch (mutton and spinach) with rice for JPY 980, tax included. The Sag I was impressed by on my first visit was indeed exquisite. The smooth texture and rich flavor are worth the trip to Akabane! It pairs well with Indian wine too. The mutton dish had a stimulating spiciness, yet it stands out from typical mutton curries. The refreshing acidity and light texture are unique. I ended up drinking it like a soup! ( ´∀`) The onion achar was perfectly sour and spicy—just amazing. I wish I could have had more! It was a great meal. Just as I was about to pay, a young reviewer-like person came to my table, so I quietly settled the bill. I managed to greet the owner properly while making eye contact before leaving! Adieu.

I was taken to Bawarchi, a North Indian restaurant right next to Akabane Kemuri. Although I’m not particularly good with spicy food, my expectations rose hearing about authentic North Indian cuisine. The cozy space has only a counter and a few tables, filling up quickly with just around 10 people. Regular customer J-san was friendly with the owner and his wife, and they set up our table comfortably. Since I had a beer at Kemuri, I decided to try the Indian wine (white), Vanilla Kulcha, Punjabi Kulcha, Palak Mutton, and Lal Chicken. My companion had the Godfather of Indian beer. It was my first time seeing that bottle beer! (^^) After a toast, the achar (pickle) arrived. While the achar from Ganesh in Toranomon is exquisite, this achar was also outstanding. It leaned more towards acidity than spiciness, and it was super delicious! Next, we had two types of kulcha: one with vegetable mash and another with cheese. The flavor was completely different from the naan I usually eat. (^^) The main dish, Palak Mutton, was the best spinach-based curry I’ve ever had. There was no grassy taste of spinach, and its texture was incredibly smooth. The spice level was just perfect, not too spicy at all. The Lal Chicken was also plentiful with chicken, complemented by tomatoes and ginger. It was my first time having such authentic North Indian cuisine, and I was truly impressed. (⌒‐⌒) It was a great meal. I definitely want to return!