I have been away from this blog for a few weeks because frankly, I’ve had too much on my plate as it were. The last two weeks have been hectic, with a big conference speech I was supposed have last week getting postponed because of a typhoon in The Philippines (it was online) to this week(Thursday). As I’m not afraid to admit my shortcomings with Old Man Anxiety, an extra week was torture, plus I had a massive interview for another thing on Wednesday, that had it worked out right I would have had two big things happening a week apart. As it was, I was wide eyed and ready to smash anything and everything by Thursday morning. Cue computer problems, not being able to hear questions and so on. When it was finally complete, after months of toing and froing, I logged off Zoom, the cloud lifted from my shoulders and I just fell asleep. So much for a big party afterwards. The interview for the other thing also went well.
So after getting up this morning, I decided I was going to treat myself to some North Indian food because I deserved it and it was still on my to do list.
Balle Balle has been on my radar for a while now and there have been many opportunities for me to go, but whatever reason they all fell through. It advertises itself as being Punjabi cuisine which is a regional food I had been familiar with back in Blighty. As a student in London, our curry house of choice across the street sold kashmiri amongst others, and I have fond memories of getting takeout from there at our hovel on Brixton Hill.
Now this is probably just me, but I have an unconscious association with Punjabi guys having Northern English accents, and so my accent switches back to the beautiful dulcet tones of South Manchester if I meet one. Such silliness happened today, as I spoke to owner. A very friendly guy, by the way, and his positivity about his food was infectious. In fact, if he could bottle it, he could have a wicked sideline in selling bottled positivity. I’d be a repeat customer. He was of course as Indian as could be, and the fact that he didn’t sound like he was from Yorkshire threw me for a few moments. Why oh why does that happen?
Getting back to food stuff. I’m still on a budget, so I only had enough for one dish so I went for an old fave of mine, Murg Saag Wala, or in UK speak “Chicken saag’ (spinach), It is spiced at “enjoyment” level rather than “friends with the toilet” if you get what I mean. And of course, the garlic naan. It will never be the most beautiful of dishes to look at, being dark green and everything, but it is great. I don’t mind if it is not the most famous or best example of this cuisine or not, it was my light at the end of a tunnel. I also got a free saffron ice cream, which was a new one on me. Very nice, and as it was free it was more like a sample- but no complaints, I’d have a full one of them if I can next time.
Looking through the menu, there are indeed some really amazing dishes, it certainly wouldn’t be a hassle to go through the whole darned thing, and I know from many friends who have been before, I’d have no shortage of willing participants who’d come along for the ride. Choosing between this place and Amma’s Kitchen I can’t really say which is better because they are so different yet, both fantastic. I would never have thought that it would actually be difficult to choose a favourite Indian restaurant in Taipei.
So in short, I liked it, though I knew that already before I walked in. I will go back because of course I will. Price is fine, nice place, very nice owner and unusually there was no TV playing Bollywood music videos in the corner. That has to be a bit of a boon for anybody.
Menu: I didn’t get the full menu, but I took down the main courses for veg and non veg
Address: 12 Guangfu North Road, Section 1
Best way the get there: I’d say blue line Sun Yet San Memorial Hall MRT, follow the way out of Exit 5, cross the street at the intersection with Zhongxiao East Road, turn right into Guangfu and walk maybe ten minutes. Less for me because I’m kinda tall.
52 Cuisines? 