Curry Explorer

Korai gets its name from the sizzling cast iron vessel it is cooked and often served in.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re on the hunt for something that's similar to a Balti but you’re feeling slightly more Korai-geous.

The key ingredients and spices are…

A variety of vegetables including large chunks of peppers, onions and tomatoes.

You can swap out veg for…

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#17 of 30 dishes

Popular in Pakistan, North West India and… Birmingham. ‘Balti’ means ‘bucket’, referring to the thin pressed-steel wok that it’s cooked and served in.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re after something tasty but not too spicy. Like a nice big hug.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Stir-fried meat, vegetables, fresh tomato sauce.

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

UK and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#5 of 30 dishes

The story goes that Sambar was created in the royal kitchen of Shahu I, the ruler of Thanjavur in the early 17th century, when the chef decided to experiment with a new recipe.

This is the curry for you if…

You want something hearty and warming: it’s a lentil stew with vegetables that is usually eaten with ‘‘Dosas’, a kind of South Indian crepe, or ‘Idlis’, which are steamed rice cakes.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Lentils, tamarind and tomato or carrot

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#25 of 30 dishes

Dopiaza derives from Afghan cuisine. One myth suggests that the curry was first made when a courtier of a Mughal emperor added too many onions to the dinner.

This is the curry for you if…

You know your onions. Dopiaza translates as ‘double onion’, referring to the two ways they are cooked: firstly as the base for the sauce and next caramelised as a garnish.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Onions, cardamom and lime juice

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

Afghanistan

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#19 of 30 dishes

This is a Parsi dish that is very popular in India. Traditionally, before the days of pressure cooking, it would be made on a Sunday to allow enough time to cook the lentils.

This is the curry for you if…

You want the curry equivalent of a heart-warming embrace. The soft lentils are infused with intermingling sweet, sour and spicy flavours, making this dish the ultimate comfort food.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Red split lentils, chilli powder, sugar and lemon juice

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#15 of 30 dishes

Traditionally, it is mainly eaten on special occasions. This is because it takes 24 hours to slow cook the lentils so that they become soft and delicious.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re looking for something comforting and rich, particularly when it is accompanied with a few Chapatis or any other sort of Indian flatbread.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Lentils (the ‘dal’ part), butter or ghee (the ‘makhani’), tomato and cream

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#10 of 30 dishes

The Naga Chicken curry is a British dish that gets its namesake from the Naga Viper pepper, which was named the world’s hottest chilli in 2011.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re a thrill seeker looking for a challenge and love setting your taste buds on fire: Naga Chicken is rumoured to be the hottest curry on offer in the UK. There’s only one way to be sure… give it a try.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Naga chilli, tomatoes and cardamom.

The dish originated from…

UK

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#20 of 30 dishes

Pathia, the lesser known relative of the Dhansak, also derives from traditional Persian cooking. It used to be prepared for special celebrations, such as weddings, but now it is eaten whenever!

This is the curry for you if…

You enjoy unusual flavour combinations: the Pathia is both sour and spicy. In the UK, the sour tang is achieved through the addition of vinegar.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Fresh green chillies and dried red chillies, tomatoes and jaggery (a mix of cane sugar and lime juice)

You can swap out fish for…

The dish originated from…

Pakistan and North India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#14 of 30 dishes

‘Makhani’ translates as ‘butter’ and as such, the dish is commonly known as: Butter Chicken.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re all about them sweet, creamy, juicy curries, but you want to branch out from your standard Korma order. The Makhani will not disappoint.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Butter, tomatoes, garam masala, cloves and cinnamon.

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#16 of 30 dishes

This is not to be confused with the Bhaji, a fried snack that is otherwise known as a Pakora, and commonly made from onion in UK Tandooris.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re after a relatively mild dish that’s not too saucy but still hits the spot.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Button mushrooms, garlic, cumin, coriander, and tomato

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#29 of 30 dishes

The Phall was first created in Birmingham and instantly overthrew the Vindaloo to reign as the spiciest curry in the UK (…that is until the Naga Chicken stole the crown).

This is the curry for you if…

You start to think that you’re above the Vindaloo and want a more fierce curry. We promise the Phall will not just match, but exceed expectations.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Tomato, habanero or scotch bonnet chillies and ginger

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

UK

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#22 of 30 dishes

Rogan Josh is a signature Kashmiri recipe and can be translated from Persian to mean ‘stewed in ghee butter’.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re a fan of tomatoes and want to stick with a trustworthy classic.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Cloves, cardamom, tomatoes and onions.

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#9 of 30 dishes

Even though the Korma originates from India, the name itself is actually Turkish and means to “braise”.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re laid back and chilled. You prefer to indulge in a sweet, creamy dish rather than set your mouth alight with spice.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Coconut milk or cream, almonds and cashews, cardamom, clove and cinnamon.

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#1 of 30 dishes

This curry originates from the Indian city of Hyderabad, and the flavours reflect the mixture of Indian, Persian and Arabic flavours of the region.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re after a vegetarian dish with meaty flavours: the aubergines are stuffed with a delicious spice mix that give them a rich, full taste.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Coconut, peanuts and aubergine

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#24 of 30 dishes

Saag Aloo is just one type of Saag that is eaten on the Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region. Saag refers to the leaf base that supports the other ingredients and spices added to the curry.

This is the curry for you if…

You love potatoes (and spinach… but mainly potatoes). This is a mild and nourishing vegetarian dish that puts spuds in the limelight.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Spinach (‘saag’) and potato (‘aloo’), chillies and ghee

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#13 of 30 dishes

An integral part of the 1998 FIFA World Cup song, the Vindaloo is in fact based on a Goan recipe, which itself is an adaptation of a Portuguese dish that is made from marinated meat, usually pork.

This is the curry for you if…

You want to spice it up. Leave those Kormas and Tikkas behind. Go wild, go crazy, grab a Vindaloo.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Vinegar, garlic, sugar, chillies and yoghurt

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Very sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#11 of 30 dishes

In South Asia, the dish is considered to be a fusion of Chinese and Indian cuisines. Jalfrezi means ‘stir fry’, which is the method used to cook it.

This is the curry for you if…

You love fiery flavours. There’s no messing around with the Jalfrezi, it packs a real punch. Luckily it’s often served with Raita to cool it down if the going gets tough!

The key ingredients and spices are…

Green chillies, green peppers and coriander

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India, Pakistan and China

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#8 of 30 dishes

Pasanda was often fed to the Mughal emperors and called the ‘Dish of Kings’ as it contains almonds and cardamon, which used to be rare and expensive ingredients.

This is the curry for you if…

You’ve got a sweet tooth. Packed with cream and nuts, this mild and fragrant curry is at its most delicious when it is made with tender lamb that falls off the bone.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Ground almonds, cardamom pods, tomatoes and cream.

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Very sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#12 of 30 dishes

Two cities are fighting to claim ownership of this popular dish. It’s Birmingham versus Glasgow. In 2009, a Labour MP called for Glasgow to be recognised as the official birthplace of the Tikka Masala. Nothing has come of it yet… and the nation anxiously waits on.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re after a classic, a cornerstone of the curry world. Everything is just right: not too spicy, creamy but not heavy and packed with flavour.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Tikka meat (marinated and cooked in a Tandoor oven beforehand), yoghurt, fresh tomatoes and coriander.

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

UK

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#2 of 30 dishes

In 2011, as part of a protest against the growing use of GM crops, activists cooked 342kg of organic Baingan Bharta, breaking the world record for the largest amount of this dish to be made at once.

This is the curry for you if…

You enjoy Baba Ghanoush: the aubergines are flame roasted and then cooked in a curry.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Aubergine, coriander and tomatoes

The dish originated from…

India, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#26 of 30 dishes

Even though Madras is named after a place in South India (now called Chennai), the Madras was actually invented in Britain to create a slightly spicier alternative to the standard Tandoori curries.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re a vibrant soul who wants a curry with an edge. In the Madras, the sauce is well spiced with chilli, paprika and turmeric to give it a deep flavour and a rich red colour.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Tomatoes, chilli and lemon or lime.

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#3 of 30 dishes

Tandoori Chicken was invented by Kundan Lal Gujral, a restaurateur who famously catered for Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re about the simple things done right. And there’s nothing more right than the perfectly spiced Tandoori chicken.

The key ingredients and spices are…

A spiced yoghurt marinade and red chilli powder or turmeric.

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#7 of 30 dishes

Originally from the Gujarat region of India, the dish has two names and is sometimes called Bhindi Masala.

This is the curry for you if…

You want something lighter and healthier. The centrepiece of this dish is Okra, otherwise known as Ladies’ Fingers, which does not contain fat or cholesterol and is high in folic acid and vitamin B6.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Okra, tomato, cumin and coriander.

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#29 of 30 dishes

It is often served with Bhatura, a special Punjabi flatbread. This curry is a particularly popular street food in India and Pakistan.

This is the curry for you if…

You believe that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. This dish might look simple, but a quick taste will reveal a complex mix of spice with sour, citrusy hints.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Chana (a special, smaller type of chickpea), amchur (dried mango powder), ginger and lemon.

The dish originated from…

India and Pakistan

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#18 of 30 dishes

Coconuts and fish are staples of the cuisine in Kerala, a coastal region in South India.

This is the curry for you if…

You enjoy creamy curries but still want a fiery kick.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Coconut, red chillies and ginger

You can swap out fish for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#28 of 30 dishes

The Biryani has mysterious origins. Some believe it’s from Persia, others from North India's Muslim communities and one theory claims it was invented in the Mughal royal kitchen. All we know is that it’s pretty damn tasty.

This is the curry for you if…

You live by the saying ‘rice is nice’ and pile it high when eating a curry. In the Biryani the meat and veg are cooked in a dry curry sauce and fried with pilau rice so it absorbs the flavours.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Pilau rice, meat, almonds, sultanas; vegetable curry on the side.

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Sweet

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#4 of 30 dishes

Paneer is a type of non-melting cheese that is popular across South Asia and is made from the curds of milk.

This is the curry for you if…

You want to inject your curry with a hint of Chinese cuisine! Chilli Paneer is a modern indo-chinese fusion dish that has gained widespread popularity.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Paneer cheese, green chilli, soy sauce, spring onions and sesame oil.

The dish originated from…

India, Pakistan and China

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#21 of 30 dishes

This curry stems from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, a prosperous area famed for its architecture and temples.

This is the curry for you if…

You’re all for the Ying and Yang, the perfect equilibrium. This is a dish that carefully balances spice with interesting flavours and textures.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Coconut, poppy seeds, fennel and cinnamon

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#23 of 30 dishes

Xacuti is a Goan curry and so its flavours are a mixture of Hindu and Portuguese styles of cooking. It is naturally gluten free!

This is the curry for you if…

You want to order something outside of your curry comfort zone. The Fish Xacuti is unlike many of the other more popular Tandoori curries, making use of an eclectic range of spices to delicious effect.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Grated coconut, star anise, nutmeg, white poppy seeds and large dried red chillies.

You can swap out fish for…

The dish originated from…

India

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#27 of 30 dishes

The Bhuna comes from the Bengal region of South Asia. The name refers to a special cooking technique when spices are fried in oil in order to unlock their full flavour.

This is the curry for you if…

You want something with a kick, but without too much sauce: the prawns are cooked in a variety of spices and a meaty broth, giving the curry its potent flavour.

The key ingredients and spices are…

Green peppers and shredded onion garnish, garam masala and coriander.

You can swap out prawn for…

The dish originated from…

India and Bangladesh

Sweetness level…

Savoury

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

#6 of 30 dishes

Curry Explorer

Vegetable Korai

Lamb Balti

Sambar Sambar

Chicken Dopiaza

Chicken Dhansak

Dal Makhani

Naga Chicken

Fish Pathia

Chicken Makhani

Mushroom Bhaji

Lamb Phall

Lamb Rogan Josh

Chicken Korma

Baghara Baingan

Saag Aloo

Lamb Vindaloo

Chicken Jalfrezi

Lamb Pasanda

Chicken Tikka Masala

Baingan Bharta

Lamb Madras

Tandoori Chicken

Bhindi Bhajih

Chana Masala

Kerelan Fish Curry

Chicken Biryani

Chilli Paneer

Chicken Chettinad

Fish Xacuti

King Prawn Bhuna

Korai gets its name from the sizzling cast iron vessel it is cooked and often served in.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

You can swap out veg for…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

Popular in Pakistan, North West India and… Birmingham. ‘Balti’ means ‘bucket’, referring to the thin pressed-steel wok that it’s cooked and served in.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

You can swap out lamb for…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

The story goes that Sambar was created in the royal kitchen of Shahu I, the ruler of Thanjavur in the early 17th century, when the chef decided to experiment with a new recipe.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

Dopiaza derives from Afghan cuisine. One myth suggests that the curry was first made when a courtier of a Mughal emperor added too many onions to the dinner.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

This is a Parsi dish that is very popular in India. Traditionally, before the days of pressure cooking, it would be made on a Sunday to allow enough time to cook the lentils.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

You can swap out chicken for…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

Traditionally, it is mainly eaten on special occasions. This is because it takes 24 hours to slow cook the lentils so that they become soft and delicious.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

The Naga Chicken curry is a British dish that gets its namesake from the Naga Viper pepper, which was named the world’s hottest chilli in 2011.

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…

The dish originated from…

Sweetness level…

Popularity rank by Just Eat…

Pathia, the lesser known relative of the Dhansak, also derives from traditional Persian cooking. It used to be prepared for special celebrations, such as weddings, but now it is eaten whenever!

This is the curry for you if…

The key ingredients and spices are…