Did You Know THIS Indian Dish, Favourite Of Many Foreigners, Is Actually British In Origin?

Food is something that unites people. It cuts across geographical boundaries, creates unexpected connections and even leads to long-lasting bonds among communities. Sometimes, your favourite dish may have a surprising origin story that links it to a place you never expected. One such item is the chicken tikka masala, which features bite-sized chicken pieces grilled in a tandoor and added to a tomato-based curry. Often considered one of the most popular dishes in the UK, the story of how the dish was invented will leave you stunned.

An Instagram video by an Indian woman reveals a surprising fact: the chicken tikka masala, often considered the UK’s national dish, was actually invented by a Bangladeshi chef working at an Indian restaurant in the UK.

So, if you love chicken tikka masala, you might be enjoying a tasty curry with British roots!

Video On Origin Of Chicken Tikka Masala

The woman reveals that she found out from an American female solo traveller that several foreigners say chicken tikka masala is their favourite Indian food. However, the dish is actually British in origin.

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A post shared by Saumya Choudhury (@saumya.choudhury)

What’s The Story Behind Chicken Tikka Masala?

The exact origins of the dish are shrouded in mystery. While chicken tikka was native to India and Pakistan, the most popular story behind chicken tikka masala’s creation comes from Glasgow, Scotland. A Pakistani-origin chef, Ali Ahmed Aslam, created the dish in the 1970s after a customer found chicken tikka to be too dry.

Another theory links it to Kundan Lal Jaggi and Kundan Lal Gujral, who are credited with creating butter chicken in Delhi in the 1950s. Not just that, one more possibility is that Bangladeshi chefs who came to the UK in the 1960s first served the recipe to make their native dishes more appealing to British clientele, the Times of India reported.

In 2024, TasteAtlas ranked chicken tikka masala among its “50 Best Chicken Dishes Around the World”. The ranking placed a British flag next to the dish, confusing many who thought that the dish was Indian. In the list, four of the dishes were Indian- butter chicken at the fourth spot, tikka at the sixth, chicken 65 on the 10th and tandoori chicken on the 18th position.