When you think of Birmingham, you think of the balti. The iconic Brummie curry – cooked quickly over a high heat, like a stir-fry – that originated in the mid-70s is synonymous with our city. It even lends its name to the triangle-shaped area between Stratford Road, Alcester Road and Wake Green Road. But it’s not what it once was, is it?
In the ‘90s there were over 40 balti houses in the Balti Triangle alone, while the term ‘balti’ popped up everywhere from supermarket labels to global restaurants. Today, only a few balti houses remain, while even fewer use the traditional methods. If you’re ever in London on the legendary Brick Lane, don’t be fooled by the name, Eastern Eye Balti House.
That’s where The Association for the Protection of the Authentic Balti (APAB) steps in. Growing frustrated with the name’s corruption on a variety of unrelated ‘curry’ products, AFAB formed to protect the authenticity of Birmingham’s most famous dish. They’ve built a core membership of restaurants still flying the flag of an authentic Birmingham Balti.
What is a Birmingham balti?
We’ve gone over this countless times before, so we’ll be quick, with our description, but it’s important to be clear. Taking influence from Pakistani cooking, a balti curry is made in a thin, wok-style pan (AKA the balti) for speedy cooking – which results in a caramelised flavour. Meanwhile, another traditional method is the use of veg oil over ghee. There are no requisite spices, however, as each chef brings their own flavours.
How many AFAB members are there?
You might be surprised to learn this, but only six. That’s not many at all. We’re not saying these are ALL the balti houses in Birmingham, but the only ones AFAB can guarantee are serving an authentic Birmingham Balti. The most famous (and arguably best) of these is Shababs, one of three in the Balti Triangle, which is an iconic balti house that’s been open since 1987.
Also in the area are Shahi Nan Kebab House and Popular Balti. Probably the oldest on this list, however, is Royal Watan on Pershore Road – which has been serving authentic baltis, alongside Kashmiri and Indian classics, since 1984. Finally, there’s Spice Merchant in King’s Heath and Khyber Pass in Alum Rock. If you think you know somewhere serving an authentic Birmingham balti, restaurants can apply to get their APAB badge here.