Indian cuisine has become one of the most popular cuisines in the United Kingdom. In England, there are more curry houses than all the fast-food establishments throughout the country. Indian chicken tikka masala has become as popular as fish and chips, the national dish of UK.
Glasgow houses some of the best Indian restaurants and Glasgow’s contribution to this popular cuisine was recognized in 2010 when it won the title of Curry Capital of Britain and that too, for the fourth time. Glasgow won the Curry Capital of Britain title in 2002, 2003 and 2006. It was runner up in 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2016 the Glaswegians were ordering more curries than any other major city in the UK and it is probably true today too.
Here are to top 10 best Indian curries in Glasgow.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Claimed to have been invented in Glasgow, Scotland Chicken Tikka Masala remains on the top of the list of favourites of Glaswegians. Chargrilled marinated chicken cooked in tandoor in onion and the tomato-based sauce tastes heavenly. Cooked with ginger, garlic, yoghurt and a ubiquitous blend of Indian spice blend-the garam masala. Scoop it up with naan/chapatti or savour the flavour of this most popular dish across the United Kingdom with basmati rice.
Lamb Bhoona
Lamb bhoona is semi-dried lamb dish cooked in north Indian style. Lamb is slowly fried with a combination of aromatic whole spices in a casserole dish over a low/medium fire until they release their aromas. Equal quantities of sliced onion and tomatoes are added after ginger and garlic has been cooked through. This is a must-try dish in the best Indian restaurants. Scottish grass-fed lamb cooks beautifully with whole cinnamon, black cardamom and cloves. Almost every Glasgow based Indian restaurant serves lamb bhoona. A buttered smothered plain naan bread is best to eat with lamb bhoona.
Chicken Jalfrezi
Jalfrezi was a British invention and got hugely popular in the UK. It is hard to find anyone who does not love Jalfrezi. A thick delicious sauce is tossed with a stir-fry mix of vegetables and strips of succulent chicken breast. Smoked garlic, onions and peppers quickly fried in pan impart mind blowing flavours in tangy and spicy sauce. This dish is finished with fresh ginger and sprinkle of garam masala. A thin chapatti is best to go with jalfrezi.
Chicken Korma
Unlike traditional Indian Korma, Glasgow Indian food loves have come to adore coconut and cream-based korma sauce. This is a mild dish with the hints of sweetness. The creamy and nutty flavour of coconut and tender chicken chunks have becomes a British sensation. A good chicken korma sauce and peshwari naan bread (coconut and almonds stuffed) are all you need to make your curry night delightful.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh sauce is part of original Kashmiri cuisine of India. I personally, have come to love Kashmiri cuisine simply because of its simplicity and mouth-watering aroma. Traditionally, rogan josh is made with goat meat in Dampokhtak cooking technique (Slow cooking). Lamb shank rogan josh at Swadish menu has been the best selling dish right from the first day of its opening. Grass-fed Scottish lamb shank pairs very well with this Kashmiri flavours. The name, Rogan josh comes from the deep-red colour of beautiful Kashmiri dried red chillies and the use of alkanet flower/root gives this curry a unique flavour. The heat is toned down by sugar present in onions and yoghurt. All flavours are beautifully balanced with aromatic spices. Try mint flavoured paratha (Indian fried flaky bread) with this beautiful curry.
Garlic Chili Chicken
This is by far one of the most ordered curries in any Glasgow based restaurant for a good reason- it is seriously delicious. This is a blast of flavours in your mouth. Bursting flavour of this smoky curry dish can make you an addict. Onions, tomatoes, paprika and burnt garlic flavors this curry-like none other. Furthermore, Swadish chilli chicken curry is served with garlic flavoured chilli oil. All these flavours in a curry bowl make your taste buds go crazy. Try this smoked-hot curry in one of the best Indian restaurants in Glasgow. A garlic and coriander naan go great with garlic chilli chicken.
Dal Tadka
This wonderful creamy spiced lentil goes well with every Indian meal. This is probably one of the most wanted dishes on any Indian restaurant across the world and most of the Indian restaurants in Glasgow have Dal tadka sitting on their menu and it is the favourite of vegan and vegetarian dinners at Swadish. Ghee fried cumin, onion, tomatoes and garlic flavour this humble dish. Final tadka or bhghaar just before the dish is served transforms this dish to a new dimension. Dal is best eaten with boiled/steamed rice.
Kofta Curry
This is a real delicacy for any vegan/vegetarian. Koftas are made of mashed potatoes and vegetables like sweet corn, peas, mushrooms and carrots. Nicely spiced with cumin, green chillies, cardamom and garam masala these koftas are a treat. Koftas are shallow/deep-fried for a crispy texture. These can also be stuffed with dried fruit. Koftas are served tomato-based sauce flavoured with fenugreek. You can’t go wrong with a layered paratha with a kofta curry. Swadish wild mushroom kofta curry has been a hit with vegan diners and is unique in many ways.
Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry)
A classic Punjabi chana masala has become one of the popular side or main dish on Glasgow’s Indian restaurants. Often, chana is paired with Indian leavened bread like Poori or Bhatoora. Vegan/vegetarian dinners at Swadish enjoy poori and chana and it has been so popular that we have not been able to replace it. A simple onion and tomato-based sauce with the Punjabi styled masala blend make chana stand out from the rest of vegetarian or vegan options.
Saag Alloo/Paneer
Nothing more than spinach and mustard leaves saag stands out for its simplicity. Saag is mildly spiced with garlic, onion and ginger. Fenugreek leaves add another layer of herby flavour. Many south-side Indian curry houses in Glasgow are proud to serve this Punjabi dish in home-made style. Saag tastes best with flatbread. Growing up in Punjab (India), I learned so much about how to cook this green leaves based dish of Indian village household perfectly. Pair saag with potatoes, mushrooms or even with tofu to see how basic ingredients can produce an amazingly delicious dish.
Swadish offers the best vegan menu and a very unique take on the traditional curries on the main menu. Located on Ingram Street of Merchant City in the Glasgow city centre,
Swadish also won the national award for the Best Indian Restaurant in Scotland.