It was popularised by cooks from India living in Great Britain, but I don't believe that makes it any less Indian. Just as the chimichanga wasn't invented in Mexico, but is still considered Mexican food.

[–] Nacktmull@lemmy.world -1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Chicken Tikka Masala is a British national dish and that is common knowledge.

[–] AlDente@sh.itjust.works 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

If by common knowledge, you mean that a significant portion of the population believes it, I'm not sure how reliable that evidence that is. People will believe a whole lot of strange stuff.

On topic, even the first paragraph of the Wikipedia page states that it was "popularized by cooks from India living in Great Britain". Regardless of where it was first created, this is clearly the product of Indian immigrants. I don't believe their heritage should be ignored just because they moved. Although, I don't want it to sound like I believe in a 100% black and white distinction here. It's clearly a fusion dish with British influences. The original chicken tikka was a lot dryer and the "masala" sauce was added to make the dish creamier to appeal to British tastes.

However, I don't go around claiming General Tso's chicken isn't Chinese food, just because it was first made in New York; or that the chimichanga isn't Mexican food, just because it was originally made in Arizona; or that a Cuban sandwich isn't Cuban, just because it was first made in Florida. These dishes wouldn't exist without the immigrants who modified their cultural recipes to adapt to a new environment.

To me, chicken tikka malala is an Indian dish with British influences.

E: Tao to Tso.

[–] Nacktmull@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

So let's agree that it's neither Indian nor British, but a fusion of the two, created in Britain by immigrants or their descendants and becoming a national dish loved by people in Britain regardless of their cultural background.

[–] Banik2008@infosec.pub -1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Go to China and tell them that General Tso's is Chinese cuisine, I dare you.

[–] AlDente@sh.itjust.works -2 points 8 months ago

"I dare you"

How could you think this possibly warrants a dare? Do you really think people are this confrontational in real life? When traveling in other countries, I have only had positive interactions when attempting to find any common ground with locals. In this case, the worst thing that could happen is you share a laugh and they offer for you to try real local cuisine.

Kind of related, the duck tongue and chicken's foot I had earlier this year in Malaysia wasn't that bad.

[–] robocall@lemmy.world 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm happy Great Britain was able to make one interesting dish 50 years ago, but the cuisine could use a couple more seasoned recipes.

[–] Nacktmull@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

I will not argue against that.