Samosa appetizers at Singh's Tandoori Indian Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. The savory, deep-fried pastries are filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes and peas. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Growing up in the Midwest with parents whose culinary leanings were anything but adventurous, I couldn’t tell you the difference between tikka masala and vindaloo until my late 20s, when I moved to the land of schnitzel, bratwurst and potatoes.

A quick takeout order about seven years ago, at my now-wife’s behest, began another long-term relationship with one of my favorite eateries in Wiesbaden.

Tucked away on an unassuming street close to the main train station, Singh’s Tandoori Indian Restaurant offers an extensive menu of bold flavors for enthusiasts of the subcontinent’s cuisine.  

I dropped in on a recent Monday evening for a dine-in experience I hadn’t enjoyed since late 2019, when I lived around the corner. 

The interior is cozy but lively, with seating for about 50 in two dining areas. I was alone when I entered around 5:30, but seven other patrons soon joined me in the front bar and dining area. 

The front dining area of Singh's Tandoori Indian Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Singh's Tandoori Indian Restaurant is near the central train station in downtown Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Perusing chicken, lamb, seafood and more than 20 vegetarian options, I went on a menu tour of northern Indian cuisine that included curries, biryani rice dishes and meat-centric tandoori specialties.   

I started with samosas as an appetizer. I laughed a bit to myself at the heart- and rose-shaped vegetable garnishes that accompanied the pastries stuffed with potatoes and peas. It was a bit abstract, but I appreciated the presentation. 

The samosas had a fantastic shell, which was crispy, flaky and slightly salted. The filling was moist and aromatic. Three sauces accompanied the deep-fried dumplings that created an almost “rock-paper-scissors” experience. 

The chutney’s sweet, fruity profile paired well with the savory snack. The chili sauce, my favorite of the three, had a tangy, vinegar-forward flavor that cut right through the chutney’s sweetness, and the yogurt mint sauce cooled things down with its creamy texture. I couldn’t help but cut the two samosas into multiple pieces and repeat this pattern a few times.  

Lamb jalfrezi served with rice and paneer naan flatbread at Singh's Tandoori Indian Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. The Indian curry has strong notes of garlic, ginger and various other spices. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

I chose the lamb jalfrezi, extra spicy, and paneer naan as a main course. The curry was an explosive combination of flavors and textures. The tomato-based sauce was rich and complex with garlic, ginger, turmeric and heavy chili notes. My first bite of lamb nearly dissolved in my mouth.  

Having no room for dessert after eating my fill of flatbread, rice and curry, I settled for a coffee and enjoyed a slight endorphin rush that capped off an excellent meal.         

I’m hard-pressed to find anything to complain about. The 80-degree weather, spicy food and absence of air conditioning did make for a toasty dining experience, but I was never uncomfortable. 

Parking can also be challenging, but this is expected for a downtown Wiesbaden location. Singh’s is only a few minutes’ walk from multiple parking garages in the area.  

The restaurant also has a robust takeout and delivery service. I’ve ordered from Singh’s at least a dozen times; it was in my regular rotation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020.

A carryout container holding palak paneer and rice from Singh’s Tandoori Indian Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. The spinach-and-cheese curry is a classic dish of northern India. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

I’ve practically eaten my way through the entire chicken curry menu. I can’t say I’ve ever been disappointed with an order, although delivery does understandably lack the wonderful presentation that comes with a dine-in experience.  

I picked up a palak paneer on my way out to carry home to my wife.  She described the cheese-and-spinach curry as smooth, well-seasoned and balanced. “I don’t know what else to say. It’s the good stuff,” she told me as she took another large bite.  

Though we cook and eat most of our meals at home, Singh’s will remain a go-to for my family when we want to treat ourselves. 

I don’t know whether I’d be open to trying another Indian restaurant in town, because I’m pretty sure I already know Wiesbaden’s best one.  

Singh’s Tandoori Indian Restaurant  

Address: Albrechtstrasse 21, Wiesbaden, Germany

Hours: Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-10 p.m.

Prices: 20-30 euros per person for drinks, appetizer, and main course, Limited selection lunch entrees 10-15 euro

Information: Phone: +49 0611 50568750; online: singhs-wiesbaden.de