As another week comes to a close, you’ve probably already made plans for your weekend takeaway.
Like most things at the moment, it seems that people are having to spend more money on their favorite cheat meal.
Karim Ullah, the owner of an Indian restaurant called Brohmon in Stansted, Essex, describes the current situation as a “perfect storm” caused by the Covid pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the cost of living crisis, all of which have affected curry houses.
“Energy costs are outrageously high,” explains Karim. “In addition, staffing costs have skyrocketed and people have less disposable income due to the cost of living crisis.”
But how much do classic Indian dishes like butter chicken and chicken tikka masala actually cost these days?
The BBC Asian Network analyzed the prices of meals from the top 50 Indian restaurants, as voted by diners on Tripadvisor, in various cities across the UK.
Nationally, the average price of a chicken curry is £10.95. This price increases to £17.85 when you add rice, a naan, and a poppadom.
The study focused on the capital cities of each UK nation (London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast), as well as Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester.
London emerged as the most expensive city for a curry, with prices starting at £12.95 and going up to £20.45 with all the extras.
On the other hand, Cardiff was found to be the most affordable major city, with a chicken curry costing £9.93 or £16.78 with rice, a naan, and a poppadom.
‘Quality is Key’
Earlier this week, it was reported that food prices in the UK saw their first monthly fall in two years, and the overall rate of inflation ended a three-month decline.
However, Karim highlights the rising prices of essential ingredients like onions, which are staples in Indian cooking. He mentions that the price of a 25kg bag of onions increased from £11 to £29.
Raja Manuswarmy, the owner of Nutmeg restaurant in Bristol, agrees and states that “the cost of business has gone crazy high.” He cites the fluctuating prices of vegetable oil, which now range between £38 and £45, compared to the previous price of £17 to £18 for 20 liters.
The Asian Catering Federation reports that one in four Indian restaurants have closed since 2019. They attribute these closures to inflation and the lack of younger family members to take over the businesses.
However, it’s not just curry houses that are struggling. A study by accountancy firm Price Bailey reveals that six restaurants are closing down each day in 2023, up from four per day in the previous year.
While many restaurants have resorted to raising prices, Karim believes that adapting in other ways is essential. He suggests reducing the number of items on the menu and focusing on quality. Raja’s restaurant specializes in regional cooking from India’s 28 states, providing customers with new ideas and freshness.
“People nowadays are more health-conscious when they come to enjoy Indian food,” Raja adds.
Listen to Ankur Desai’s show on BBC Asian Network live from 15:00-18:00 Monday to Thursday – or listen back here.
