Birmingham is known as the capital of the Balti, which is not surprising as this spicy dish was introduced to the city by its large Kashmiri population. The word balti literally means 'bucket', but in reality it is a round bottomed wok with side handles which was originally used by the people of Baltistan in Pakistan. A balti meal is a type of curry, fast cooked over a high flame with fresh meat and/or vegetables marinated and then cooked with extra spices added during the cooking process. The meal is then usually served up sizzling in the balti dish. Each restaurant jealously guards its own special recipes, but spices like cumin, cardamom, coriander, cloves, cassia bark and ginger are typically used. The vast majority of Balti houses are situated in the Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, and Moseley areas of South Birmingham, which essentially forms the famous Balti Triangle. Most of the restaurants are unlicensed with diners bringing their own wine, beers, etc. with a number of off-licences conveniently situated in the area. Diners can usually be sure of a welcome as warm as their baltis! But the Balti Triangle is about so much than just restaurants, providing a rich variety of other shopping such as jewellers, clothing, and specialist food as well as other business services. So do explore this section of our website to learn about The Story of Balti as well as Shopping, Eating, and Business in the Triangle - and then don't take our word for it, come and explore the Triangle for youself!

Contact us East Birmingham Planning and Regeneration Team 8th floor Alpha Tower Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TR Phone: 0121 464 9832 Email: baltitriangle@birmingham.gov.uk