[Food] Chinese or Curry

[Bakero]

Chinese every time.

Curry is hugely overrated slop.

I quite like some of the sundries, accompanying dips and sauces but the main is all just slight variations on the same boring flavours.

I don’t mind having a curry out. I don’t find it offensive but I do always feel that behind the waiter’s smiles there is a raging hatred for all British, from the old days of the Raj to the rude drunken slobs who frequent their restaurants today.

I totally disagree with your overall opinion and guess you just haven't been to a decent place if you think it's all "variations on the same boring flavours".

However, I know what you mean about the service as it's often a bit too polite. It's the same if you're in Indian though so wouldn't read too much into it

 

[BLOCK F]

In old age, my stomach has become more sensitive or less intolerant to both Chinese and Indian food, so both are now off the menu. Back on the day, I used to enjoy some decent Chinese meals in London’s Chinatown and I recall a good restaurant in Hove I was introduced to by a girlfriend. Curries were mainly reserved for post piss-up nosh.
Nowadays, the most exotic I get is an M&S Crispy Duck, which is lovely. Has to be M&S though.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Curry, we occasionally get a takeaway from The Viceroy in Newhaven that has already had a mention on this thread, always nice food.
I used to enjoy a Chinese takeaway but can’t remember the last time I got one, can’t say I’m that bothered.

 

[VAL1850]

"Chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan and 9 poppadoms."...

 

[albionalba]

Nearly all dross from take-aways these days, can't remember the last time I had a good one - and easier to produce good stuff at home (said as a pescatarian though). Was recently at the cash and carry with mrs aa (who has a cafe) and amazed how much ready prepped shite ( whole indian meals / sauces / naans etc) was being loaded into the trolleys of indian restaurant owners. Makes me wonder how much is prepped from scratch and cooked on site these days. In fairness I think you do see more fresh veg being bought in chinese supermarkets by restaurant owners, so they may have the edge in that department.

IMHO curry gives the widest good-result options at home but that's mainly because of the copious MSG in chinese take-aways that you don't tend to add at home (and accept meat-eaters might think differently for other reasons).

 

[Questions]

Chinese every time.

Curry is hugely overrated slop.

I quite like some of the sundries, accompanying dips and sauces but the main is all just slight variations on the same boring flavours.

I don’t mind having a curry out. I don’t find it offensive but I do always feel that behind the waiter’s smiles there is a raging hatred for all British, from the old days of the Raj to the rude drunken slobs who frequent their restaurants today.

Keep China British

 

[clapham_gull]

Make it myself because I find Chinese takeaway too sweet and Indian far too greasy.

However if you ever in Balham there is an Indian that gave up using ghee and loads of oil years ago and now wins awards all the time.

In terms of Indian spices I found something quite remarkable recently, an Indian shop that grinds its own spice mix and has been doing so for 40 years !!!

Special Blend Curry Powder 40th Anniversary Tin 125g - Mattas

Matta’s own Special Blend Indian curry powder is flavoured with rich herbs and aromatic spices providing a delicious, full-flavoured, medium-to-hot addition to any dish.

www.mattas.co.uk

This is well worth a purchase. It's freshly ground (will have a label.with the grinding date) and is worlds away from the powders in the supermarket and unfortunately better than anything you could do at home. I have Tooting on my doorstep just about every spice going in the cupboard, but I can't replicate this. It's very special and the shop right in the centre of Liverpool is a local institution.

For a healthy alternative I roast whole onions (in their skins) followed by tomatoes and garlic, a bit of ginger and blend with stock to make a basic curry sauce.

Then it's just meat, fresh coriander and a couple of teaspoons of special blend.

Use as little oil as you like, for me it will no more than a couple of teaspoons. I religiously cook the meat before adding to the curry like the restaurants. Tends not to dry out. The exception being thighs.

 

[portlock seagull]

Seem to have stumbled into a 1980s thread.

Both are so last century darling. Thai is better, but the cool kids like me aren’t just eating but cooking…Korean.

 

[Vicar!]

Chinese every time.

Curry is hugely overrated slop.

I quite like some of the sundries, accompanying dips and sauces but the main is all just slight variations on the same boring flavours.

I don’t mind having a curry out. I don’t find it offensive but I do always feel that behind the waiter’s smiles there is a raging hatred for all British, from the old days of the Raj to the rude drunken slobs who frequent their restaurants today.

Sadly most currys locally have little to no reflection on the real thing from India. The reason they are slight variations on the same boring flavours is certain venues work from one base sauce, and add ingredients as required.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Seem to have stumbled into a 1980s thread.

Both are so last century darling. Thai is better, but the cool kids like me aren’t just eating but cooking…Korean.

Have you been to Newhaven?

 

[portlock seagull]

Have you been to Newhaven?

Live too far away if about to recommend somewhere unfortunately but is there somewhere rather good there then? I did a course with someone from Korea last year and delicious / a lot healthier, less carbs/salt etc than C or I.

 

[luge]

a fantastic chinese is amazing but very rarely found in these isles outside a major city. Curry is a more consistent and better taste for me - too much sugar and msg in chinese generally.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I have to have Chinese without MSG and it turns it, for me anyway, from slimy food into bloody lovely food.

I do like a curry also but normally for the “eat in” experience

 

[herecomesaregular]

Thai food every time, especially from the Noodle Bar in Eastbourne.

Then a curry next as it travels well and doesn't have to be hot (in temp).

Next would be a deconstructed kebab from a decent Turkish place. Also travels well.

Then a pizza (you guessed it, pizza travels well and is just as nice cold).

Takeaway Chinese has always been a fail for me. Nearly always too greasy and is unpleasant tepid. Always my last choice.

And I'd have to be beyond desperate to have a cold, soggy McDonald's delivered. Would only consider that muck if it was a freebie.

 

[Bakero]

I have to have Chinese without MSG and it turns it, for me anyway, from slimy food into bloody lovely food.

I do like a curry also but normally for the “eat in” experience

How would MSG, a powder akin to salt, make food slimy?

 

[ROSM]

How would MSG, a powder akin to salt, make food slimy?

MSG isn't itself slimey but the slimey sensation is the human body playing a trick on us.

MSG has a strong unami flavour and the body mistakes it as a textural sensation rather than a taste sensation and makes people believe it's glutinous

 

[BN9 BHA]

Live too far away if about to recommend somewhere unfortunately but is there somewhere rather good there then?

You mentioned the 80s and both choices being so last century….. We don’t have Thai or Korean restaurants here.

 

[Bakero]

MSG isn't itself slimey but the slimey sensation is the human body playing a trick on us.

MSG has a strong unami flavour and the body mistakes it as a textural sensation rather than a taste sensation and makes people believe it's glutinous

I think the slimy, gloopy associations some may have with a Chinese takeaway is related to excessive use of cornstarch thickeners rather than the MSG

 

[portlock seagull]

You mentioned the 80s and both choices being so last century….. We don’t have Thai or Korean restaurants here.

lol! Nothing wrong with good old fish and chips and guess Newhaven second to none in that respec!

 

[Notters]

lol! Nothing wrong with good old fish and chips and guess Newhaven second to none in that respec!

You can't get good fish and chips south of Sheffield tbh. I wasn't aware of this until I moved to Yorkshire.

It's only because they refuse to use dripping down there, nothing to do with skill.