There are several Indian restaurants in London, ranging from quick Indian takeaways to fine dining restaurants. But why did the common curry capture this nation's attention so strongly? We can thank Indian cuisine's enticing aromas, vibrant appearance, and distinctive nature for its long popularity in Britain. Indian cuisine is a cuisine like no other, so it's little wonder just one bite is enough to get you captivated. The answer may lie in a long history of ties with the subcontinent.
Birth of the first ‘official’ British curry
With the development of the printing press came the first cookbooks that were sold in stores as well as the first ‘official’ British curry. In her 1747 book The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Simple, Hannah Glasse included a whole section on pilafs and curries. Although they already adored spices, the British used them cautiously because they thought they were a bit too exotic. The curries Hannah describes were relatively mild for contemporary tastes, relying sparingly on salt and pepper, lemons, coriander, and a few herbs in place of customary curry spices to give the food flavour.
Fortunately, the 1800s witnessed the emergence of a far more experimental mentality, which is possibly why the foundation was set for the first Indian restaurant in London to appear just a little into the century. We now witness the introduction of spicy cumin, ginger, caraway, fenugreek, and turmeric to the hungry British taste. The typical Briton, though, was still braising meat delicately rather than using ghee or fat, showing that they had not yet totally embraced the classic Indian curry. However, homemade curries were definitely on the menu!
Indian Restaurants in London
Has the UK always been so fond of its spicy food? If you've ever waited in line to order an Indian takeout, you might have wistfully wondered when the mouthwatering, spicy meal you just ordered first made its way to British soil. You'd be excused if you picked the 1960s or 1970s, when London's Bangladeshi community first started to explode. You would have to start thinking much, much sooner. In actuality, in 1810, the first Indian restaurant with origins in London debuted! But long before that, the British have been fascinated by the mouthwatering spices from the East. We can see just how long the British have been in love with the depth superb condiments can provide to a dish by the fact that, as early as the 11th century, crusaders returning from battle brought delicious Indian flavours back with them. Of course, these flavours were only available to the very wealthy at the time because of the difficult trade routes that served as the only sources for this spicy gold. Aren't you quite pleased that times have changed?
India's spirit is gracefully embraced by London
It would take Bangladeshi sailors who settled in London in the early 20th century to bring back Indian restaurants, and it is they who are to blame for the British love of all things curry. Due to their lack of employment as the docks closed during the century and their longing for a genuine taste of home, a career in restaurants was a natural choice for them. The Shafi, which debuted in 1920, had a much greater impact than Salut e Hind, which opened in 1911. The Veeraswamy in Piccadilly, which opened in 1926, made it fashionable for everyone to satiate a need for spices, and the 1970s would see the curry house develop into a true British institution. Initially, these restaurants primarily catered to the Bangladeshi immigrants. Post-war Britain jumped on this delicious, intriguing, and aromatic dish created by its newest residents, completely delighted to make it an essential component of the nation's staple diet. Tired of the harsh rations of World War II. Since then, we haven't turned back. In 2001, Chicken Tikka Masala was named Britain's National Dish, and Birmingham, rather than India, gave birth to Balti-style Indian cooking.
Another reason for more Indian restaurant in London is that the third of these restaurants’ customers are wealthy NRIs (Non Resident Indians), who are concentrated in London. In India, where there are ever more high-end restaurants catering to wealthy Indians and visitors, this exchange between the two nations also results in interesting developments.
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