An American food enthusiast made a pit stop in Birmingham to sample the second city’s renowned Balti dish.

Kalani (@kalanighosthunter) informed his three million TikTok followers: “We’re in Birmingham and this is what they’re known for here in the Balti Triangle, so let’s try and get one to eat.” Settling down in a local eatery, he revealed: “We’ve got one Hairy Biker Chicken Vindaloo and one Chicken Tikka Chilli Garlic Masala.”

As he displayed the mouth-watering dishes with naan bread on the side, Kalani educated his viewers: “What makes it a Balti is this dish its served in.” Sampling the Chilli Garlic first, he observed the “consistency is different” due to the pan cooking.

“It kind of caramelises a little bit,” he added. After taking his first bite, he exclaimed: “Wow, that is freaking good. It kind of changes the consistency of the curry, but that’s delicious. That’s incredible – very spicy, nothing too crazy though but a lot of good flavour.”

He further noted: “You’re not going to sweat by any means, but I will say cooking it in this dish does make a difference. I didn’t really know what to expect with this Balti – but this is a pleasant surprise.”

After detailing the ingredients and spices used in the dish, Kalani gave his final verdict: “I might give this a 10.” Next up, in the culinary adventure was the vindaloo. “It’s a good looking colour,” he remarked, stirring the dish before exclaiming in delight: “Wow, oh my God.”

He was clearly taken aback by the quality of the curry, declaring: “It’s definitely spicier, but I could do more. Beautiful flavour – this might be the best curry I’ve had in England hands down.” His glowing review didn’t stop there as he praised the spice level, saying: “I do like the spice more than the previous one and this is perfect for me. If I could give something an 11 I would. Honestly, Shababs [name of restaurant] you’ve taken my breath away tonight.”

The locals in Birmingham were quick to support Kalani’s high praise. One TikTok user confidently stated: “You will not find a better place in England to have a curry.” Another expressed their joy: “So pleased you got to try a curry in Birmingham, the best place to have them!” A third recounted their own experience with the establishment: “Shababs on the Balti Triangle is hands down best curry I’ve ever had.”

Meanwhile, a fourth local applauded his bravery for trying the Vindaloo: “Good man you tried the Vindaloo. And you definitely can’t beat a baptism from the Midlands.”

The Association for the Protection of the Birmingham Balti (APBB) highlighted the Balti cuisine was introduced in Birmingham back in the 1970s by a Pakistani restaurateur who wanted to attract both Western customers and his mainly Pakistani/Kashmiri clientele to his café-style restaurant.

The APBB’s website elaborates: “As a consequence he devised a dish which was cooked and served in the same receptacle, as was often the usual custom in northern Pakistan but uniquely the ‘Balti’ was fast cooked and used vegetable oil not ghee.”