Brick Lane didn’t just decide to become a curry paradise overnight. In the 1960s and 70s, Bangladeshi immigrants, particularly from the Sylhet region, set up shop here. They basically looked at the British obsession with bland food and said, “Hold my lassi.” Now, this half-mile stretch is home to more curry houses than you can shake a poppadom at.
And here’s a shocking fact: London’s oldest surviving curry house, the Brick Lane Curries (formerly the Curry Bazaar), opened its doors in the 1970s. It has survived punk rock, hipsters, and at least three attempts to turn everything into a coffee shop. That’s dedication—or just really, really good garlic naan.
What’s on the Menu? Everything
You walk into a Brick Lane curry house, and the first thing you notice is the staff. They are not just waiters; they are ninja-level negotiators. Within seconds of you sitting down, someone will offer you a “special deal” on a chicken korma, a complimentary onion bhaji, and possibly a small loan. It’s charming until you realize you’ve agreed to buy a used car.
But the food? Oh, the food is no joke. Order a Phall if you have a death wish—it’s a curry so hot it’s banned on some airlines. Or go classic with a Chicken Tikka Masala, which, fun fact, was likely invented in Glasgow, not India. Brick Lane doesn’t care; they’ll serve you a world-class version anyway, with a side of British chips (fries) and a smirk.
