Wondering what Indian takeaway to order in Purley? Perhaps you have a favourite takeaway curry already but don’t fancy stepping out of your comfort zone to try something different. Our guide to the British Indian takeaway menu will help you make the right choice.

Appetisers

Samosa

No Indian takeaway would be complete without this moreish appetiser. These delicious triangular-shaped stuffed dough pockets are filled with spicy potato, chicken or lamb, and laced with coriander, chillies and caraway spices.

Dal 

It doesn’t get much better than dal. The main staple in Indian cuisine, dal is made with miniature legumes called lentils with various spices. While some Indian takeaways in Purley may serve this dish as a thinner soup-like bowl of lentils, others come as a stew served with a side of rice. What’s more, dal may be made with black lentils, red lentils or even split pea lentils. 

Paratha

Typically made of salt, ghee, water and flour, paratha is fried in a stone frying pan known as a tawa, with cooking oil or butter. It’s then rolled out numerous times, producing an incredibly flaky bread. You can get your hands on a range of types – enjoy paratha stuffed with a mouth-watering potato filling (Aloo paratha), or paratha that’s made on the inverted griddle (Ulta Tawa Ka Paratha) among many more.

Naan

Fluffier in texture than pitta bread, naan is made by mixing whole wheat or plain flour with active dry yeast, salt, and water. There are quite a few varieties of naan, including rounds filled with tandoori chicken or garnished with garlic.

Raita

If you like your Purley Indian takeaway spicy, then don’t forget to order this yoghurt and herb sauce. Thanks to its cooling effect, it’s a heaven-sent reprieve between mouthfuls of spicier main dishes. But regardless of what you end up ordering, it’s heavenly in its own right when enjoyed as a dip with naan.

Mains

Butter Chicken

Often the most universal Indian takeaway in Purley, butter chicken’s origins derive from New Delhi and was created by landlords in the 1950s to recover chicken scraps. It contains chicken cooked in a non-spicy tomato, cream and butter sauce. 

Saag Paneer

This dish includes spinach cooked with cubes of paneer – a soft, unripe cheese. The saag part of the dish can be made with greens other than spinach, like mustard greens. Don’t forget to mop up the delicious sauce with a slice of naan. 

Aloo Gobi 

Consisting of potatoes, spices and cauliflower, this highly comforting Indian dish is suitable for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. It looks yellow, thanks to the turmeric while some versions of the meal also include tomatoes. Whatever ingredients are used, it’s a must-have on your takeaway menu.

Vindaloo

If you’re in the mood for a fiery curry, vindaloo promises to take down anyone who swears to tolerate the even the spiciest of dishes! It’s made from caramelised onions, curry paste, coconut milk, ginger, vinegar, jalapeno, chillies, chickpeas, garlic, lentils and other spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, turmeric, and garam masala. Originating from the Goa region of India, a vindaloo curry can either be vegetarian using tofu or can include meats such as chicken or pork. 

So, next time you order an Indian takeaway in Purley, be sure to use this cheat sheet to narrow down your search.