In a recent survey of 2,000 adults, chicken tikka masala has been declared as the UK’s favourite curry. This dish claimed the top spot, surpassing milder options like korma and butter chicken, which followed in second and third place respectively. The study, conducted by Onken in anticipation of National Curry Week from October 7 to 13, found that 89% of adults enjoy curry and typically indulge in these dishes around five times a month.
To celebrate this recognition, Paddy McGuinness teamed up with the yogurt brand and Masterchef 2024 winner, Brin Pirathapan, to create a ‘Curry In a Hurry’ menu for the ‘Feed Your Inner Happiness’ campaign. Paddy McGuinness shared his excitement about learning to make three quick and easy curries with Brin, expressing his satisfaction with the results. Other popular curries in the top five include biryani and rogan josh, while jalfrezi, Balti, madras, bhuna, and saag complete the top 10.
Despite the popularity of homemade curry attempts, the study revealed that 58% of participants believe that restaurant or takeaway curries are superior due to factors such as flavour, sauce thickness, spiciness, creaminess, and meat tenderness. Mathilde van Roon, Head of Onken, Emmi UK, highlighted that Brits seem to enjoy curry but are deterred by the time and difficulty of recreating these flavours at home.
For those looking to try their hand at making curry at home, Paddy and Brin shared some tips, including using garlic and ginger paste for convenience, marinating meat with yogurt for tenderness, opting for ready-made sides like microwaveable rice and naan bread, batch cooking for future meals, and using natural set yogurt to balance out excessive spice levels.
The research not only revealed the top curry choices but also shed light on common challenges faced by home cooks in replicating the taste and quality of restaurant curries. With the ongoing appreciation for curry in the UK, efforts to demystify the cooking process and enhance homemade curry experiences continue to gain importance.