Chinese Curry

[NYCBlue]

Do you realise that the word "curry" merely means "sauce"

Then what is curry sauce?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

So what is balti and masala then ?

Did balti not originate in the Birmingham curry quarter ?

And is masala a dish invented for the British?

[Lord Dargavel]

So what is balti and masala then ?

Did balti not originate in the Birmingham curry quarter ?

And is masala a dish invented for the British?

Yes the Pakistani immigrants set up cafes for the local population back in the 70s. Balti translates to bucket and is the name of the dish that it is both cooked and served in. It has a flatter bottom than similar vessels and the method of balti cooking is similar to stir fry. A real balti from Birmingham cannot be replicated outside of the area in my opinion, and can definitely not be found in South Wales. In the late 80s there were so many good balti houses both inside and outside of the Balti Triangle (an area formed by 3 roads) - Adil’s, Sher Kahn, Royal Alfaisel, Shabab’s, Shereen Kadah, Balti Paradise, Azim’s and more...

Masala means mix or spice mix. A curry powder is a spice mixture. Garam means hot so garam masala is hot spice mix.

The famous chicken tikka masala was supposedly invented when a British diner found their dish too dry and wanted sauce so a chef added a tin of tomato soup and cream. It’s very similar to butter chicken which was “invented” at the Moti Mohal in Delhi.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Irish curry here is similar to the fruity chip shop curry but with a twang, it's more salty with some extra flavour and without the fruity bits.

They can get rid of that fruity chip shop curry as far as I am concerned

There is a chippy called Harvey's in Barry run by an Indian fella who does a poncey fruity curry or his own spicy sauce , its an absolute belter

[NYCBlue]

They can get rid of that fruity chip shop curry as far as I am concerned

There is a chippy called Harvey's in Barry run by an Indian fella who does a poncey fruity curry or his own spicy sauce , its an absolute belter

Harvey's is one of the best chip shops I've been to. Although, there's always a queue there so I usually go to Irene's which is also good.

[The Bloop]

Then what is curry sauce?

Gravy isnt it?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Yes the Pakistani immigrants set up cafes for the local population back in the 70s. Balti translates to bucket and is the name of the dish that it is both cooked and served in. It has a flatter bottom than similar vessels and the method of balti cooking is similar to stir fry. A real balti from Birmingham cannot be replicated outside of the area in my opinion, and can definitely not be found in South Wales. In the late 80s there were so many good balti houses both inside and outside of the Balti Triangle (an area formed by 3 roads) - Adil’s, Sher Kahn, Royal Alfaisel, Shabab’s, Shereen Kadah, Balti Paradise, Azim’s and more...

Masala means mix or spice mix. A curry powder is a spice mixture. Garam means hot so garam masala is hot spice mix.

The famous chicken tikka masala was supposedly invented when a British diner found their dish too dry and wanted sauce so a chef added a tin of tomato soup and cream. It’s very similar to butter chicken which was “invented” at the Moti Mohal in Delhi.

Considering Cardiff has a large bangladeshi community and quite a sizeable Pakistani one I am surprised it doesn't have more decent curry houses and indeed a curry triangle or mile like Manchester, Birmingham do

I used to live in Bradford and the Asian community is so widespread its all over the city so no real curry quarter

In Cardiff I suppose we have city road , Albany Road, Crwys Road area but thats it really

[Lord Dargavel]

Considering Cardiff has a large bangladeshi community and quite a sizeable Pakistani one I am surprised it doesn't have more decent curry houses and indeed a curry triangle or mile like Manchester, Birmingham do

I used to live in Bradford and the Asian community is so widespread its all over the city so no real curry quarter

In Cardiff I suppose we have city road , Albany Road, Crwys Road area but thats it really

Cardiff now has some really good Indian restaurants but nowhere that does balti like Birmingham. I’ve eaten balti in Bradford and Leeds but it just doesn’t capture the Birmingham experience somehow. When I lived near Birmingham it was quite common to get a taxi to Ladypool Road at 2am and go for a balti until 3-4am. This was back in the 90s. I went to Shabab’s about 5 years ago with old colleagues and we were there until after 1am when people were still arriving!

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Cardiff now has some really good Indian restaurants but nowhere that does balti like Birmingham. I’ve eaten balti in Bradford and Leeds but it just doesn’t capture the Birmingham experience somehow. When I lived near Birmingham it was quite common to get a taxi to Ladypool Road at 2am and go for a balti until 3-4am. This was back in the 90s. I went to Shabab’s about 5 years ago with old colleagues and we were there until after 1am when people were still arriving!

When I was visiting Birmingham a lot in the 90's I often went Balti 'houses' - these were un-licensed premises which were little more than converted front rooms. Probably as close to authentic Bangledeshi home cooking in a restuarant environment.

[Lord Dargavel]

When I was visiting Birmingham a lot in the 90's I often went Balti 'houses' - these were un-licensed premises which were little more than converted front rooms. Probably as close to authentic Bangledeshi home cooking in a restuarant environment.

***Sorry I was replying to a different thread when I write my original reply***

[Lord Dargavel]

When I was visiting Birmingham a lot in the 90's I often went Balti 'houses' - these were un-licensed premises which were little more than converted front rooms. Probably as close to authentic Bangledeshi home cooking in a restuarant environment.

***Sorry I was replying to a different thread when I write my original reply***

Yes, absolutely, you’d go and fetch your booze from “the outdoor” before going in. The Shereen Kadah on Moseley Road literally turned their upstairs lounge into extra seating. I remember the TV ariel cable still hanging loose on the horrid pile carpet while we were eating. Menus were underneath glass table tops and onion salad starters were just sliced raw onion in a thin chilli soup. I loved it and still do if you can find a restaurant that sticks to tradition but they are few and far between now.

The restaurant mentioned above used to do katlamas which are a challenge in themselves. They are like a naan crossed with an American pancake!

[light up the darkness]

Cardiff now has some really good Indian restaurants but nowhere that does balti like Birmingham. I’ve eaten balti in Bradford and Leeds but it just doesn’t capture the Birmingham experience somehow. When I lived near Birmingham it was quite common to get a taxi to Ladypool Road at 2am and go for a balti until 3-4am. This was back in the 90s. I went to Shabab’s about 5 years ago with old colleagues and we were there until after 1am when people were still arriving!

I spent a lot of time around Ladypool road when finishing a PhD at Birmingham

Kept the fires stoked nqat 10/10

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Harvey's is one of the best chip shops I've been to. Although, there's always a queue there so I usually go to Irene's which is also good.

lovely guy who runs Harvey's

Steak and kidney pie , chips , hot curry sauce 😋

Refuse to go into Irene's, spurs shirt on the wall

I am not having that

[Des Parrot]

Almost all of the Chinese / Fish shop / Pub curries are from the Bookers or Costco curry powder (just add water), supplied by Dinaclass or similar.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

it should be sued under the trades description act

Its basically beef in a mild, curry flavoured gravy

Shocking stuff

Love it. Can drink it straight from the carton.

[life on mars]

I've seen "Irish Curry" on the menu at bars over here occasionally. It's chicken in curry sauce, like you get on Caroline Street.

Yeh , slightly fruity .

[life on mars]

you've ruined your entire point there by admitting you eat butter chicken.

I love Butter Chicken M&S do a cracking one.

[Rjk]

I love Butter Chicken M&S do a cracking one.

bland shite

[NYCBlue]

I love Butter Chicken M&S do a cracking one.

I make my own butter chicken and crank up the heat. Bloody lush.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Cardiff now has some really good Indian restaurants but nowhere that does balti like Birmingham. I’ve eaten balti in Bradford and Leeds but it just doesn’t capture the Birmingham experience somehow. When I lived near Birmingham it was quite common to get a taxi to Ladypool Road at 2am and go for a balti until 3-4am. This was back in the 90s. I went to Shabab’s about 5 years ago with old colleagues and we were there until after 1am when people were still arriving!

Is the curry quarter near Balsall heath ?

[Lord Dargavel]

Yes, it takes in Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook and Sparkhill. It’s a trainable loosely formed by Stoney Lane, Ladypool Road and the Stratford Road. But “balti” has spread all over greater Birmingham and the surrounding areas since the 80s. A curry house in Bromsgrove in the late 90s did the most amazing balti dishes and was run by a chap who started as a waiter in the balti triangle. His brother was the chef.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Yes, it takes in Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook and Sparkhill. It’s a trainable loosely formed by Stoney Lane, Ladypool Road and the Stratford Road. But “balti” has spread all over greater Birmingham and the surrounding areas since the 80s. A curry house in Bromsgrove in the late 90s did the most amazing balti dishes and was run by a chap who started as a waiter in the balti triangle. His brother was the chef.

Balti is Deffo a brummie thing

Lamb balti is my favourite , with spinach

Manchester , Bradford and Huddersfield have some good curry houses

[Lord Dargavel]

Agreed. Akbars near Bradford was a great restaurant. Naans like Dumbo’s ear hanging on hooks!

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Agreed. Akbars near Bradford was a great restaurant. Naans like Dumbo’s ear hanging on hooks!

Came here for Akbars.

Leaving with mouth watering.

There's one in Leeds and Brum too.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Balti is Deffo a brummie thing

Lamb balti is my favourite , with spinach

Manchester , Bradford and Huddersfield have some good curry houses

The first Balti pie I ate was at the Villa v Newcastle game. (My neighbour was a Geordie and I accompanied him there as he did likewise to see a City home game. I also watched Sunderland with his wife, who was a Mackem but they wouldn't accompany each other at games such was the rivalry).