The Glasgow curry house thought to be the birthplace of chicken tikka masala is to bring the recipe to a “new generation” through a partnership with a popular kebab chain.
The Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow’s West End has paired up with German Doner Kebab (GDK) to create a menu of dishes featuring new, limited-edition tikka masala and raita sauces.
The restaurant was founded in 1964 by chef Ali Ahmed Aslam, who is said to have created the first chicken tikka masala by improvising a creamy tomato sauce to go with dry chicken tikka to satisfy a customer’s request.
For us, chicken tikka masala started in our kitchen in Glasgow in 1964
More than six decades after it opened, the award-winning restaurant is run by the same family, who continue to serve the famous dish.
Asif Ali from Shish Mahal said: “For us, chicken tikka masala started in our kitchen in Glasgow in 1964.
“Partnering with GDK allows that original recipe and story to reach a new generation across the UK.”
GDK’s new takes on the classic dish will be available at 150 of its restaurants from Monday – with a menu that includes the tikka masala OG kebab, the tikka masala doner wrap, and the tikka masala doner rice bowl.
Chris Waters, chief marketing officer at GDK, said: “This collaboration is all about uniting the UK’s most iconic dishes in a fresh way.
“Working so closely with Shish Mahal gives us the perfect opportunity to honour heritage, whilst delivering the quality and flavour people expect from GDK.”
The new menu will be available until June or while stocks last.