Balti is a style of food very popular in England. Balti is actually the name of the cooking pot and serving dish. The term 'balti' refers to the steel or iron pot in which the food is cooked or served, taken from the word 'balti' in Hindi and Bengali.

Balti food is a hot curry-style dish, taking its name from the thick flat-bottomed steel or iron pot in which it is both cooked and served. Normally the balti is served with large naan bread; pieces of which are torn off by hand and used to scoop up the hot curry sauce from the pot. Balti curries are popular as they are quick to prepare and also lighter on your bank balance.

Balti gosht (meat) and balti murgh (chicken) are the popular dishes of UK, especially Birmingham. A large number of expatriates who came to Britain from Pakistan brought Balti cooking to the UK. Karahi Gosht is a similar style of dish popular in Punjab but Balti and Karahi are not the same dishes. The main difference is the use of onions in Balti.

Balti house

Balti restaurants are often known in Birmingham as 'balti houses'. Balti houses have a reputation as being inexpensive places to eat. This is because the customers who wish to drink are welcome to bring their own alcohol with them. Balti restaurants have now spread beyond Birmingham and can be found all over UK. Normally these places do not sell alcohol but you are allowed to bring your own. Today there are a number of Balti houses in Ireland.

One of the common misconception is between Karahi and Blati curry. Karahi Gosht is a similar style of dish but Balti and Karahi are not the same dishes. The main difference is the use of onions in Balti.