Curry in the United Kingdom

Curry in the United Kingdom refers to the adaptation and incorporation of Indian cuisine and Bangladeshi cuisine into the British cuisine. The term "curry" in the UK typically denotes dishes flavoured with a blend of spices, known as curry powder, and has been popular in the country since the 19th century.

History

The first curry recipes in Britain appeared in Hannah Glasse's Art of Cookery in 1747. However, the widespread popularity of curry in the UK can be traced back to the British Raj era, when British civil servants and military personnel developed a taste for Indian cuisine and brought it back to Britain.

Curry Houses

The first curry house in the UK was opened by Sake Dean Mahomed in 1810, named the Hindoostane Coffee House. Today, there are over 9,000 curry houses in the UK, with the majority being owned and run by people of Bangladeshi origin.

Balti Curry

Balti curry, a type of curry which originated in the Baltistan region of Pakistan, has become particularly popular in the UK. The city of Birmingham is often considered the balti curry capital of the UK, with a large number of restaurants serving this dish in the area known as the Balti Triangle.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala, a curry dish of roasted marinated chicken chunks (chicken tikka) in a spiced curry sauce, is often cited as the UK's most popular dish. The origins of the dish are disputed, with some claiming it was invented in the UK by Bangladeshi chefs.

Curry and British Culture

Curry has become a significant part of British culture, with "curry nights" being a common social event and the phrase "going for a curry" being widely understood to refer to the act of eating out at a curry house.

See Also

• Indian cuisine
• British cuisine
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Balti curry