It’s funny how longings sneak up on you. After one too many days without Indian food, we found ourselves daydreaming about it – the fiery curries, bold spices, and the bursts of fragrance and color. As the craving peaks, a trusted recommendation leads us to a cozy little Indian eatery in Munich called Dessi Tadka.
It has a warm, homey vibe and lightning-fast service – dishes arrive as quickly as our empty plates disappear. What’s more, it serves some Indian street food rarely seen on typical Indian menus in Germany.
Restaurant Profile
🏷️ Name of the Restaurant: Dessi Tadka – Indian Street Food (incl. menu)
📍 Adress: Hofmannstraße 43, 81379 München
🍜 Style: Indian Cuisine – street food, bread, rice dishes, grills, curry, stews, samosa (dumplings), soup, vegetarian dishes etc.
💰 Price: around 20 – 30 EUR per Person (incl. Drinks and Tips)
Here’s the delicious breakdown of what we tried.
Spiced Drinks:
Chai Masala
In India, chai wallahs (street vendors) brew this in giant pots, straining it dramatically between cups—a daily ritual for millions.
The drink itself features black tea steeped in intrigue—earthy, chocolate-like depth from slow-brewed leaves, mixed with cinnamon’s warmth, cardamom’s citrusy hum, and a subtle licorice note of star anise. A peppery kick and toasted cumin linger, while bay leaves add a woodsy backbone.
The one we tried here was mild and slightly watery —less creamy than the milky chais we usually have, yet still comforting.
Jeeri Lassi
Jeeri means cumin in Hindi—this is a cumin-spiked lassi!
Yogurt-based, but rebellious—watery and tangy, not thick, with toasted cumin as the bold star.
Cumin-forward, earthy, slightly smoky, it has a gentle saltiness, making it refreshing in a savory way. The warmth of the drink amplifies the spice’s fragrance, giving it a wholesome, almost soup-like comfort.
In Rajasthan, it is often sipped to aid digestion after heavy meals (or alongside fiery curries to cool the burn).
Starter:
The Dosa—India’s Crispy Crepe
Originating from South India, this thin, crisp crepe is made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal (black lentils). The fermentation gives it a subtle nutty tang, while cooking it on a hot griddle creates a paper-thin, shattering crispness with a gentle baked-bread fragrance.
Inside was a filling of spiced mashed potatoes—herby, lightly peppery, with onions, lentils, and fresh cilantro.
On the side come three sauces:
- White coconut chutney with ginger – creamy, fragrant, with a gentle heat.
- Spicy red chutney – tomato-based, tangy, and packing a fiery punch.
- Curry sauce with cilantro – herbal, aromatic, and moderately spicy.
Pro tip: tear the dosa open, spread the sauces over the potato filling, roll it back up, and take a bite. Get ready for a flavor riot – sour from tomato, sweet from carrots, spicy from the sauces, and smoky afterglow from dosa itself. It’s crunchy outside, soft inside, and wholly satisfying.
In South India, dosas can stretch over 3 feet long, called “family dosas” for sharing!
Mains:
Home-Style Chicken Curry (with Bones)
This dish features chicken thigh meat, incredibly juicy, sliding off the bone and bathed in a rustic, peppery gravy. Tomato chunks melt into ginger’s heat, brightened by fresh cilantro, and black peppercorns pack a piney, sharp punch.
Cooking bone-in adds collagen-rich depth. It’s warm, savory, and spicy—pairs perfectly with rice or bread.
Lamb Champ Masala (Grilled Chop in Masala Sauce)
If the chicken curry is comfort food, the lamb champ masala is indulgence.
It’s like a carnivore’s dream—charred, smoky edges, kissed by lamb fat that crisps into golden lace, giving way to tender, pinkish meat.
The masala sauce is dark, thick and mysterious: spicy, peppery, and warmly aromatic with cilantro, ginger, its deep base of onions, tomatoes, enriched by toasted nuts’ richness and a hint of smoke.
One bite and it roars – the intoxicating blend of deep, primal lamb richness, the smokiness, and the iron-rich intensity, with spices that don’t just cling, but sear into the ribs like a dare.
Our meal was a whirlwind of crisp street-food and slow-cooked comfort — and thrills alike! Beyond what we tried, Dessi Tadka also offers an “all you can eat” buffet and a wide range of vegan dishes. As its name Dessi Tadka translates to “a taste of home, spiced just right,” this place delivers warmth and authenticity, as certified by our Indian buddy. So, if you’re longing for the deep, aromatic Indian flavors that warm and excite, Dessi Tadka awaits.
Great place for lovers of Indian street food. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
The dishes are freshly prepared, with aromatic and well-balanced spices. The small street food plates are especially recommended, perfect for sharing. The vegetarian options are also varied and delicious.
Das Essen ist hervorragend und der Service ebenso. Wir haben das Restaurant vor kurzem entdeckt und waren seitdem schon mehrmals dort. Besonders das Streetfood wie Samosa Chat ist super authentisch und liebevoll angerichtet.
Indian street food (chat) that’s both authentic and flavourful. Their pani pouri and samosa chat are great, and they serve up decent dosai as well though I find Saravanaa Bhavan’s better (then again this is really a southern Indian dish).
Thank you for your sharing. Reallt delicious Indian restaurant in Munich. they offer typical street food that is not often seen in Europe.
The lamb chops are absolutely amazing! They’re first marinated and grilled, then slow-cooked in curry. The dark spices with the tender meat on the bone are just perfect.
This lamb dish is sooo delicious! Thanks for your recommendation!
The lamb dish mentioned here is really good, so is the grilled chicken!
Thanks for the recommendation! Honestly, this place blows Madam Chutney out of the water when it comes to flavor and value for money. That one, apart from the décor and location, really doesn’t have much going for it in my opinion.
The decor here is a total mix-and-match, and with Bollywood song-and-dance playing on the screen, the vibe’s super lively.
You can also try this restaurant’s branch on Bodenseestraße 228. The food’s just as good, and the place is even more spacious.
Lamb curry is definitely delicious! I’d also recommend the Tandoori prawns!
Nice post! You can also try the mango purée and the Indian cheese ball ice cream for desserts. The mango purée is a uniquely flavored mango yogurt, while the latter is a hot-and-cold contrast. Warm Indian quark balls served with ice cream. The only thing is, the quark balls are really quite sweet!
It’s best to make a reservation if planning to visit this restaurant. It’s always packed, and sometimes the hallway is completely crowded with guests.
I’d recommend the Pav Bhaji and Samosa Chaat here, both Indian street food classics. The Pav Bhaji is hands-down the best: buttery bread rolls with a flavorful curry dip and fresh onions. The Samosa Chaat is bold in flavor and beautiful to look at, with layers of different tastes in every bite.
This place is a chain. They’ve got three spots in Munich. We eat a lot, but even with drinks and tip it came out to about €30–35 per person, which is honestly a great deal.