Thank you Phil. I will try the Raja and report back

Raja of Kent in Tenterden I could swing. Thank you for the recommendation. When was the last time you were there?

Any other recommendations?

Hi again all - I posted about a month ago looking for a legit 70's/80's style (old school) BIR recommendation in Central London. I was sadly disappointed by the responses that they seemed few and far between - no recommendations.

Well the good news is that I'm no longer bound travel-wise to central London. I can realistically travel anywhere within about an hour outside of the M25. So I'm widening the net for recommendations.

Can anyone help out an original cr0 curryhead who has been away from the UK for way too long? Thank you all!!!

p.s. Phil - I actually did look up your place in Cornwall, while it does look ideal, 4 hours is just too far for this trip!

Quote from: Kashmiri Bob on December 17, 2024, 03:26 PM
Read a while back that a curry house on Brick Lane was shut down. Too many dead mice in the kitchen. An oriental cockroach was also found, alive and kicking. Apparently they are on the large size.

I was in London earlier this year. Nearly tried a curry place in King's Cross, but the classic dishes, bhuna, madras etc were on the "Boring but Delightful" section of the menu. Didn't fill me with confidence, so I ducked out.   

Rob

Yes I've noticed pursuing many menus that the "Classics" - which is what I'm looking for, are resigned to a footnote on many menus in favour of Chef's specials. I get it these guys feel they need to differentiate menus, be more modern and all, but that's not what I'm looking for.

Quote from: Peripatetic Phil on December 17, 2024, 11:48 AM
Of course, if you can manage to get down to Cornwall, I can give a 100%-confidence recommendation for the chicken curry in Moonlight Tandoori, Lostwithiel.  That really is just like going back to the 70's — sheer perfection (and a very friendly, older-generation, run establishment to boot).  BYOB, as the owners are Muslims and therefore do not serve (but permit) alcohol.

Oh that is so tempting... but alas Cornwall is just too far given my limited time in the UK this trip.

Quote from: jb on December 17, 2024, 11:08 AM
Can only tell you where not to go....Brick Lane...went there some time ago and it was seriously not good at all.......

That's too bad, I was thinking the old curry houses on Brick Lane would have been a safer choice.

Quote from: mickdabass on December 17, 2024, 08:48 AM
Hi Josh
Nice to hear from you after all this time.
Good Luck and Seasons Greetings
Regards

Mick

You too Mick!

Thanks Phil. Appreciate the effort. Hoping someone else can help out an original curryhead.

Hi All - been many years since I've posted but I'm going to be in London for a few days travelling from Canada, and looking for some BIR recommendations. Not fancy ones, but proper old style ones who do it closer to the 70's and 80's style. Willing to travel a bit for what I'm looking for, so "Central London" is a guideline. Appreciate any and all input!

Hi Iain and welcome!

I too am from Toronto. I learned to love BIR food when I lived in the UK for about 10 years.

And you're right, curries here are completely different. Mostly the same names, but very different ingredients and taste. Here a Madras has curry leaves and coconut. CTMs have green peppers and completely different sauce. Its goes on from there.

I have not yet found a BIR style restaurant in the greater GTA area. And I've probably tried most of them!

However, if you venture up to Peterborough, there's a Bangladeshi restaurant there called Shafiqs. Very close to BIR standard. Highly recommend it.