UK's Most Popular Indian Dishes

Chicken Tikka Masala

No doubt it's England’s most popular Indian dish. Chicken tikka masala bowl of roasted chunks of chicken in a spicy sauce. The sauce which is used in the curry is usually creamy, but the recipe varies a lot based on which part of England you are. So you never know what you’ll get!

For decades, the Tikka Masala has been a regular staple dish of the British diet. However, the latest research brings it in at number 2 of England's favourite curries. While there has always been constant discussion surrounding where this dish actually originated from, there’s certainly no doubt just how delicious a great Tikka Masala can be.

Chicken tikka masala

The use of spices also differ between restaurants, but a typical Chicken Tikka Masala won’t be much spicy and will be full of flavours. This tomato-based curry contains chilli, garlic and onion, and it always serves as the perfect accompaniment for a piece of naan bread!

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken - No worries, take a moment, clear your drool and we’ll be back.

Butter chicken has a very interesting story of origin. A restaurant called “Moti Mahal restaurant” in old Delhi invented this dish in 1947 by an accident when they mixed leftover chicken in a tomato gravy and cream. Ah well, whoever came up with, we are definitely grateful to them and appreciate them for bringing it to our lives.

Butter Chicken

More formally known as Murgh Makhani, butter chicken also includes Garam Masala, ginger, garlic paste, lemon, pepper, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chilli. The chicken is usually cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven used for cooking in Southern, Central and Western Asia which makes it even tastier.

Biryani

Indian food is not just about curries. Biryani is a stir-fried mixture of pilau rice and lamb, although a chicken version is also quite popular among Brits. The dish is perfect for those that want something in the middle of the heat spectrum & royal Biryani dish never disappoints you.

Unlike many other curry dishes, a Biryani is a mix of either vegetables or meat with rice rather than just a curry dish alone. The Biryani is considered medium on the hot scale and has more of tomato & spices based taste rather than creamy texture.

Biryani

Biryani is so versatile that the meat in a Biryani can be replaced with either seafood or even a simply grilled vegetable. For a sweeter twist, chefs from different restaurants often add fruits such as apples and pineapples or cashews.

Korma

Korma, commonly served with chicken and rice, is a traditional dish originating from Northern India and Pakistan. But it involves little to no spice, making it one of the mildest Indian curry. Isn't that cool already?

The flavour gives it a sweet and creamy taste rather than rich and spicy with the ingredients including yoghurt, coconut milk and nuts, such as almonds or cashews. Only mild curry powder is used to coat the chicken initially, then spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cumin are added for the mild flavours.

Korma

Although the Korma is considered something of a “bland” dish, it still has a great deal of flavour. In the last few years, people are really getting crazy about Korma, with diners eager to try some Indian flavours with little less of the spice.

This creamy curry has always been a big hit in the UK, and diners just can’t get enough of the thick sauce and unmistakable flavour. If you’re dipping your toe into the world of Indian cuisine for the first time, then a chicken Korma is “The” dish to start with.

Phall

And we kept the spiciest one in the end. Phall is the last curry, but most definitely not least one. One of the hottest Indian curry dishes you can get your hands on. And guess where it originated? The answer is the United Kingdom itself. Birmingham-based British Bangladeshi restaurants accidentally invented this dish! The main base of a Phall is always dried chillies, which is done by an intense drying process known for maximising the heat of any chilli.

Phall often uses chicken or lamb for meat, and then the meat is marinated in the dried chillies to achieve that crazy spicy taste. The meat is also layered with ginger and fennel seeds, before being draped in a tomato-based sauce made with peppers, such as the Scotch Bonnet. Damn, That sounds spicy, isn't it?

Phall

Regardless of how comfortable you feel with trying something a little out of the ordinary, familiarizing yourself with the most popular curry dishes, along with their level of spice, Indian food always helps you choose a dish that will tantalise your tastebuds.

Have we got you craving a curry?

Order now

Loading content...

June 3, 2026

What Are the Must-Try Dishes from an Indian Takeaway?

Fancy something rich, comforting, and packed with flavour? Ordering from an Indian takeaway near you is always a good idea — whether it’s a midweek ...

May 18, 2026

What is the Most Popular Indian Foods in UK

Indian food has become an integral part of the UK’s culinary landscape, offering a rich blend of spices, bold flavours, and comforting dishes. Whether...

March 13, 2026

What Makes Indian Curry So Popular in the UK?

Indian curry has become a beloved staple in the UK, with its rich flavours, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes capturing the hearts (and taste buds) ...