Indian dining in the UK

The last couple of decades have seen an enormous growth in Indian dining in the UK - going for a curry at the weekend is almost seen as a British trait!

The Indian food industry in Britain has an estimated worth of over £4 million, making it one of the largest food industries in the UK. Statistics from 2016 shows that there are now over 12,000 Indian restaurants across Britain which account for over 70,000 jobs. London is in-fact home to more Indian Restaurants than India's most populated cities including Mumbai and Delhi. Britain also boasts the largest Indian restaurant in the world, which is situated in Cleckheaton, named 'The Aakash'.

Indian cuisine in Britain seems to differ depending on geographical location; some locations even focus more on other descents rather than Indian itself. The south of Britain sees the majority of Indian restaurants owned by those of a Bangladeshi descent rather than Indian. Towards the north west such as Manchester, restaurants are nearly all Pakistani and North Indian owned, seeing hardly any Bangladeshi owners. Towards the West Midlands such as Birmingham, Indian restaurants are dominated by Pakistani and Bangladeshi owners, seeing very few Indian/North Indian. The very North of Britain, e.g. Glasgow, sees a majority of ownership from the Punjab.

Britain also boasts a number of Indian dishes that are in-fact British inventions, originated many decades ago (although there is no factual evidence to support this!). The UK's famous and supposedly 'favourite Indian dish', the Chicken Tikka Masala, was claimed to be first created in Glasgow, Scotland. In addition, Birmingham is supposedly the home-town of the well-known Balti and Bradford was the maker of the dry and spicy Jalfrezi!

Since 1939 when there were only 6 restaurants serving an Indian cuisine alone in the whole of Britain, the Indian food industry has developed massively and is predicted to keep on growing.