The Story Behind Balti: The Pakistani Dish Born in Birmingham

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 27, 2024 15:30 PMNews
Share:
a close up of a bowl of food on a table
a close up of a bowl of food on a table. Source: unsplash

Balti, a mildly spiced curry dish, is a beloved favorite on menus worldwide. Surprisingly, it wasn't born in the mountains of Kashmir but in the heart of Birmingham, UK. The dish emerged in the mid-1970s in Birmingham, a city known for its rich South Asian culinary culture, which adapted to suit Western tastes. Cooked quickly over a high flame, balti became a staple in local cuisine, so much so that there's been a call to give it Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status as part of the European Protected Food Names scheme.

The origins of balti trace back to 1975 when a Pakistani restaurateur in Birmingham sought to create a dish that would appeal to the local Western population. To achieve this, he designed a wok-style bowl, known today as a balti bowl, in Birmingham. Made from pressed steel, this bowl heats up quickly and has a flat bottom for stability and flat handles for easy maneuverability, both on the stove and at the table. Authentic balti bowls are still manufactured in Birmingham today.

Balti is characterized by its fast cooking method over a high flame, resulting in a crispy, caramelized edge on the sauce. Unlike other curries, it is served and eaten directly from the balti bowl it is cooked in. The dish's base ingredients include onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and chillies, with spices like cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, and garam masala added for flavor. The protein, often chicken, is complemented by fresh coriander. The dish's sweet twang and mild spicy kick are best enjoyed with a naan bread, a practice colloquially known as the 'Birmingham scoop'.

Zaf Hussain, head chef at Shababs, one of Birmingham’s iconic balti houses, explains that although curry originated from India and Pakistan, balti was uniquely developed in Birmingham. The dish's thicker, consistent sauce, caramelized onions, and use of vegetable oil instead of ghee make it distinctive.

Despite numerous modern adaptations of balti in the form of frozen meals, pies, crisps, and nuts, the essence of the dish lies in its quick cooking method over a high flame, which cannot be replicated in these variants.

For those looking to experience authentic balti, Birmingham’s Balti Triangle in the southeastern Sparkbrook neighborhood is the place to go. Notable restaurants include:

  1. Shababs: Established in 1987, Shababs has grown from 22 to 122 covers and is known for its chicken balti, lamb tikka, and tandoori chicken wings.
  2. Shahi Nan Kabab: Just a 10-minute walk from Shababs, this restaurant has been serving balti since 1984. Chef Azhar Mahmood, who cooked for the Pakistani navy, offers tender lamb chops and garlic naan.
  3. Royal Watan: Located in Selly Park, Royal Watan opened in 1984 and serves classic balti alongside traditional Pakistani dishes with meat on the bone. The lamb chops in sweet balti sauce and large naans are must-tries.
Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room with large windows, double bed, and a sofa

Radisson Blu Opens Eco-Friendly Hotel in Ha Long Bay

Apr 30, 2025 03:37 AM
beOnd aircraft on runway before departure

beOnd Adds 18 Direct Routes to the Maldives, Cutting Layovers

Apr 29, 2025 21:24 PM

UK Railways Gear Up for Winter with New Fleet to Tackle Seasonal Delays

Apr 29, 2025 19:32 PM

AirAsia Expands Flexibility with Paid Cancellation Options

Apr 29, 2025 17:48 PM
A vehicle entering Serengeti National Park through main gate in Tanzania

Marriott to Open First Safari Camp in Tanzania’s Serengeti Blending Nature and Infrastructure

Apr 29, 2025 15:53 PM
People with luggage walking through a modern airport terminal with electronic signs and escalators

Edinburgh Airport Cuts Security Time with New Scanners

Apr 29, 2025 13:56 PM
Elegant hotel room with large bed and modern decor

Batumi's Tourism Scene Expands with the Arrival of La Quinta Hotel

Apr 29, 2025 04:47 AM
A person walking into London Euston Station entrance

Travel Disruptions Expected as Euston Station Closes

Apr 29, 2025 02:31 AM
Finnair aircraft on the runway with green hills in the background

Finnair to Lay Off Pilots and Cut Long-Haul Routes Amid Ongoing Strikes

Apr 28, 2025 23:29 PM

flydubai Expands Seasonal Summer Flights to 11 Destinations

Apr 28, 2025 21:36 PM

New SIRO Boka Place Brings Active Travel to Montenegro’s Coast

Apr 28, 2025 19:53 PM
Railway tracks diverging under streetlights at sunset

Major Disruptions Expected on Britain’s Railways Over May Bank Holidays

Apr 28, 2025 17:28 PM
Emirates Boeing 777 taxiing at Dubai Airport with city skyline in background

New Travel Opportunities as Emirates Expands 2025 Flight Network

Apr 28, 2025 15:34 PM
Railway track stretching through open fields at sunset in the Scottish Highlands

Flow Country Becomes a New Travel Destination in Scotland

Apr 27, 2025 23:25 PM
Air India aircraft parked at an airport terminal during ground handling operations

Air India Eases Transfers and Refreshes Cabins for Smoother Journeys

Apr 27, 2025 19:33 PM

Easier Journeys Ahead: Belgrade–Geneva Flights Resume in 2025

Apr 26, 2025 13:47 PM

A New Nordic Journey: What Travelers Can Expect from the North

Apr 26, 2025 11:34 AM
United Airlines aircraft taking off from airport runway

Fewer Stopovers: Edinburgh–D.C. Route Gets Winter Boost

Apr 26, 2025 09:23 AM
Aerial view of Tenerife Beach with a vast sandy shore and calm waters

Europe’s Beaches in 2025: What’s Worth Your Trip This Summer?

Apr 26, 2025 06:49 AM
Woman holding megaphone at a public protest during a strike

Belgian Airports Brace for Major Disruptions as Nationwide Strike Causes Flight Cancellations

Apr 26, 2025 03:35 AM
Amtrak passenger train at station platform

Amtrak Announces New Route Linking Gulf Coast Cities

Apr 25, 2025 23:38 PM
Poolside seating with umbrellas and chairs

Avani+ Fujairah Resort to Open in 2028, Expanding Travel Options in UAE

Apr 25, 2025 21:46 PM

Travelers in Jakarta Get New Emirates Service Center

Apr 25, 2025 19:21 PM

New Budget-Friendly Super 8 Hotels to Open Across Spain and Portugal

Apr 25, 2025 17:37 PM
Air France aircraft preparing to land

Air France Expands In-Flight Entertainment With CANAL+ Content From May 2025

Apr 25, 2025 15:45 PM
Train crossing a bridge surrounded by nature

New Rail Partnership Expands Easy Access to European Train Travel

Apr 25, 2025 03:22 AM