THE CURRY house has been a British high-street staple for decades.
Many opened in the 1970s all offering a similar formula – smartly-dressed waiters, tablecloths, and free-flowing poppadoms.
It’s thought there are now around 8,000 across the UK with chicken tikka masala regularly topping polls as the nation’s favourite dish.
But some chefs have complained about the quality of food on offer.
Karim Ullah, is the chef and co-founder of Brohmon, in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, and regularly appears on TV talking about his passion for authentic Indian food.
“I am appalled by how bad the food is that is served at many of your typical Indian restaurants,” he says.
“The korma is the worst, it’s badly-cooked and laden with sugar. People are giving customers what they want and taking their money. But Indian food is so much better than what is dished up in so many of these restaurants.”
Karim says many authentic restaurants are now popping in surprise locations across the UK.
We challenged him to find his top 10 curry restaurants across the country. Here, he reveals his top 10:
Aladin, Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London
- Karim’s pick: Tarka Dal, lentils cooked in spices, with garlic, onions and coriander, Sag Bhajee or Karai Gosht, a spicy lamb dish and one of the best I’ve eaten in this country.
Opening back in 1979, Aladin originally opened to serve the local Bangladeshi community but now boasts a huge and diverse clientele.
It’s split over two floors and a great option for big groups, close to some of the best bars and clubs in the area.
The restaurant is unlicensed but you can bring your own booze if you want to drink.
Karim says: “Brick Lane is famous for its curries but not all are good quality. The food here is fabulous.
“Whilst it’s not the most glamorous looking establishment on the road, it’s popular and full of locals which is a good sign and the food was very authentic.
“It’s one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve eaten in and I’ve dined in many.
“They serve proper Bangladeshi food. It’s good value for money, too.”
Maisha, 5 College Street, St Andrews, Fife
- Karim’s pick: King Prawn Bhuna, large prawns cooked in a medium hot sauce and well spiced, or Lamb Jalfrezi, a slightly hot lamb dish with green chillies.
A great spot for celeb hunting, as everyone from Boris Johnson to Rory McIlroy and Tom Holland have dined here.
As well as the usual Indian dishes, Maisha offers a full seafood and fish special section on their menu which sees fresh local produce made with Indian spices.
Examples include mackerel bhuna and seabass dupiaza.
Karim says: “Your regular Indian restaurant serving authentic dishes from India and Bangladesh.
“Staff were lovely and very friendly. St Andrews is a lovely place to visit but I wasn’t expecting much from the food. I left pleasantly surprised – and full up.”
Abbots Tandoori, 6 Langley Road, Abbots Langley
- Karim’s pick: Machli (fish) pakora, Naga Chilli Chicken or brinjal bhajee, chunks of aubergine cooked with onions and spices.
Looks like your average Indian takeaway from the outside, but inside you’ll find an absolute gem serving traditional Bangladeshi food.
It’s the perfect stop for intimate dinners and lively gatherings with large groups of friends.
Head chef Kalam has been cooking up a storm for 25 years and the restaurant has won several awards. It’s also rated number one in Hertfordshire on Trip Advisor.
Karim says: “A very typical curry house but the food is all so beautifully spiced and presented perfectly.
The bar is decorated with many certificates and awards – and once the food is plated up before you, it’s easy to see why they’ve been successful. Delicious, well-spiced and well worth a visit.”
The Kokum, 68 Elizabeth Avenue, Little Chalfont, Amersham
- Karim’s pick: Chilli Paneer to start, diced cottage cheese tossed with peppers and green chilli in a sweet oriental sauce and the Rajasthani Laal Maas, boneless pieces of lamb, slow-cooked in butter with onions, tomatoes and special mathania chillies.
Nestled on a peaceful residential street, The Kokum serves authentic Indian food from different regions of the country.
Don’t expect your standard Korma, Jalfrezi or Balti – they don’t serve those.
Instead, expect dishes such as malai kofta, a rich dish made up of deep fried grated paneer dumplings cooked with kokum red gravy or kerala meen fish curry, a fish curry infused with coconut essence.
Karim says: “A fantastic selection of authentic Indian food from all regions of the subcontinent.
“Many dishes feature the kokum fruit, an antioxidant-rich fruit grown on an evergreen tree in India that adds a fruity sour tart, floral undertone and a hint of sweetness to many dishes. Most of the produce is locally sourced and it’s good values with mains starting from £9.95.”
Tanishq restaurant and bar Toot Hill Golf Club, Ongar, Essex
- Karim’s pick: Lasooni Chargrill Jhinga (tiger prawns, Bengali Cod and crab cake) or a Biryani
A fine-dining Indian restaurant hidden away in the Essex countryside. It appears compact from the outside but inside you’ll find an expansive bar waiting area and plenty of seating.
It’s a seasonal menu and you need to dress smartly – flip flops and shorts are banned.
Karim says: “Everything about Tanishq is upmarket. It’s a beautiful restaurant, the staff look top notch, the view is lovely.
It’s not your fun of the mill curry house but fortunately the food matches the fancy exterior. It has a reputation for being pricey but standard chicken curries such as the Kurma and Dhansak are £11. Expect to pay £13 for lamb and £18 for king prawn options.
The most expensive dish is the Anglo-Indian Wild Prawns for £29. They do offer takeaways too.”
Golpo Bengal Cafe and Restaurant, 36-38 Hills Road, Cambridge
- Karim’s pick: Hawkers Tilapia Fritters, delicious fish fried in Punjabi spices and garlic or kosha Mangsho, a lamb curry and Aloo Posto, spicy potatoes.
Traditional Bengal cuisine served in the heart of Cambridge, with a few outdoor seats too. It’s smart inside and not a white tablecloth in sight.
There’s a non-alcoholic bar serving a range of mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks such as an organic cola – all are designed to match the menu.
Guests are welcome to bring their own booze for a corkage fee of £1.50 per person.
Karim says: “It was lovely to find a restaurant specialising in Bangladeshi food in Cambridge. The food was very authentic and beautifully spiced. The staff were friendly and welcoming.
“It had a low key, trendy vibe. Prices are reasonable too.”
The Kala Sheep 9 Park Lane, Newmarket, Suffolk
- Karim’s pick: King Prawn Puri, Bangla Wings which are wings cooked with extra spice or Lamb Jhalfrezi.
Since opening its doors in January 2022, The Kala Sheep has swiftly become a local favourite. It started out as a takeaway before expanding a year later with a stylish dine-in space.
It’s known for its bold and traditional Bangladeshi-Indian flavours, generous portions and warm hospitality.
You’ll find all the classics including Korma, Tikka Masala and Vindaloo as well as some specialities including the Bangalore, a super hot Naga-infused chicken tikka curry for serious spice lovers. Options for vegetarian and vegan diners are plentiful.
Karim says: “A pretty regular looking curry house hidden amongst a few houses but it’s a real hidden gem. Once through the doors, the interior is warm and welcoming and the food is great quality. There’s plenty of choice.
“This place is not at all pretentious and is all about the home-cooking and quality ingredients. Portions are generous so it’s a great place for diners with big appetites.”
Clay Kitchen and Bar, 22-24 Prospect Street, Reading, Berkshire
- Karim’s pick: Bhooni Kaleji (spicy liver), Mom’s fish fry or the Meka Mansam Kura, a goat curry.
Clay’s is now in its second venue, a former Wetherspoon’s, having moved to a bigger venue after lockdown.
It serves authentic Hyderabadi food that will confuse anyone looking for a garish orange tikka masala dish and rice.
The restaurant made a name for itself after first opening in 2018, with their clay-pot biryanis, squid pakoras and bhuna venison.
Critic including Jay Rayner and Grace Dented applauded the cooking, adding to its popularity.
Karim says: “Not your traditional takeaway, but their food is utterly gorgeous.
“It is very similar to Bangladeshi food but they specialise in Hyderabadi food, a fusion of cuisines from Hyderabad in India, Turkish, Arabic and South Indian flavours.”
“They do the most fantastic Bhooni Kaleji, which is spicy liver. Not many Indian restaurants impress me in the UK – this one was outstanding.”
Station 31, 299-303 Harrow Road, Wembley
- Karim’s pick: Fish koliwada, Kashmiri lamb rogan josh and cheese naan.
The kitchen at Station 31 is run by a team of Bombay Chow chefs who have worked at some of the finest hotels in India and the UK.
They specialise in Indian and Indo-Chinese food, a delightful and unique fusion which you don’t stumble across too often in Britain.
Karim says: “A very contemporary restaurant with a relaxed vibe and authentic, delicious food. It’s very popular with Asian locals, probably because of the great selection of Indo-Chinese dishes on the menu.
“Expect rustic kebabs, tikkas from the clay oven and from the Indo-Chinese menu crispy salt ‘n’ pepper fish, chow chu cauliflower and prawn szechuan.
Tawa Kitchen, 50-60 Station Road, Cambridge
- Karim’s pick: Chatpata crispy calamari, keralan chicken lollipop or Bengali beef chilli fry
Tawa is a traditional flat stove which is at the core of Indian cooking both in homes and on the streets.
This method forms the basis of Tawa Kitchen’s dishes. Unlike the usual fatty korma dishes, at Tawa the owners claim their is a big focus on wellness.
They claim to take the ayurvedic principle of balance in body and mind and apply it to the cooking. Lots of plant-based and nutritious options on the menu.
Karim says: “A former pub which has been converted into a restaurant with lots of bright colours and a trendy vibe.
“It’s very relaxed and the real standout dishes are the incredible selection of small plates and starters.
“I couldn’t see the kitchen to see the stove, but the food was beautifully spiced and well cooked. It’s well worth a visit.
