Here’s a fact for you: Curry has a longer history in the UK than fish ‘n’ chips—with the first Indian restaurant opening in London in 1810. But it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that one of the nation’s most iconic curries was born (no, not chicken tikka masala), thanks to Birmingham’s Pakistani community in what’s now called the Balti Triangle.
Upon the three roads that make up the Balti Triangle—Ladypool Road, Stratford Road, and Stoney Lane—in south Birmingham, several restaurants can be found serving curry using the uniquely Birmingham balti technique. For anyone visiting the city, it’s a must-try for some spectacular South Asian food.
Birmingham’s balti boom…
The balti, named after the type of pan in which this Brummie curry was first cooked, was invented in Birmingham back in the mid-70s. Unlike other long-and-slow curries, balti curries are cooked quickly over a high heat, almost like a stir-fry. And are also usually served with large, family-sized naan.
Adil’s on Stoney Lane, which is sadly now closed after 43 years, is often credited with the dish’s invention. The chef, Mohammed Arif, used a wok-like pan (known as a balti bowl) to create the new dish, after seeing a similar cooking style in Pakistan. By the 1990s, the Balti Triangle was booming, boasting over 40 balti houses.
…and bust?
Today, only a few balti houses remain in the Balti Triangle. Shabab’s is probably the biggest, arguably the best, still going. Other spots still going strong include Shahi Nan and Popular Balti. But the Balti Triangle’s legacy still lives on throughout Birmingham and beyond—even sometimes in “balti frauds”
The Association for the Protection of the Authentic Balti (APAB), which brings together eight local restaurants, was set up to safeguard the original and authentic Birmingham balti recipe and help diners differentiate legit restaurants from those where the dish has been corrupted, watered down, and served in name only.
Shabab’s and Shahi Nan are the only two from the Balti Triangle, but you can also find an authentic balti at Royal Watan on Peshore Road, The Spice Merchant in Kings Heath, Manzils in Digbeth, Khyber Pass in Alum Rock, and Shabar and Titash in Sheldon.
