I find the same whilst eating my BIR Curries " Onions " or is that asefoetida ? Who knows

The smell of Asafoetida reminds me of Cat Wee so I don't tend to use it. It's one of those spices that sits on the shelf cos hardly any recipes use it. Does anyone use it in a curry base and if so what does it add to the flavour?

I've tried asafoetida in the base sauce, but found it tends to get swallowed up (if you'll pardon the pun!).  I've had greater success using it in the final dish early on - about 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon.

I think it adds something along the right lines.  I don't personally find the smell repulsive, and I find it mellows quite a lot when cooked. For me, it's the smell of poppadoms.  I often wonder if it's used in the making of them.

I agree the smell is foul (hence the name  ;D ), Ive used it in the final dish and it did add a certain something (not cats wee!)