When you reach home on a Friday night, it's not uncommon to be really hungry. While you switch on the TV, you reach for your phone and type Indian takeaway near me, and boom, you start scrolling through the endless list of options. Do you go for a lamb curry, or play it safe with a chicken?
You’d think after all these years we’d have picked a side. But no. Across the UK, especially in places like East London where curry is basically a religion, this debate still rages on.
Some are big fans of lamb rogan josh, saying nothing hits like that deep, spiced sauce and melt-in-the-mouth meat. Then there are the ones that go for chicken, as it's lighter, faster, and easier to eat. So, which one do you pick?
Lamb Curry – The Proper Old-School One
Let’s be real, lamb curry is old-school. The kind your nan might’ve made back in the day, slow-cooked till the meat practically falls apart. That smell? You know it before you even open the pot.
It’s thick, rich, and a bit dramatic, in the best way. You sit down with your naan, a bit of rice, maybe a pint of Cobra, and for a minute the world just makes sense. There’s a reason the old-timers in places like Brick Lane or Whitechapel still swear by it. It’s got soul.
You will find a deep, almost smoky richness that chicken can’t quite match. Especially in a rogan josh, all those Kashmiri chillies and cardamom soaking into the fat. It’s comfort in a bowl, no matter how posh the Indian restaurant looks.
Chicken Curry – The Everyday Hero
Then you’ve got chicken curry, the people’s champion. It’s lighter, leaner, and honestly, it goes with anything. Chicken almost always wins, whether you’re ordering from a posh spot in Canary Wharf or that tiny takeaway near me that’s been around since the ’90s.
Depends on what you pick when you are somewhat hungry. After a long day, you just want something tasty that won’t make you want a nap after. And there are quite a few versions, butter chicken, tikka masala, chicken madras.
Calories and Health – Let’s Be Honest
Now, when people ask, “Which one is healthier, Chicken or Lamb?”, you already know it right? Chicken wins that one. It has fewer calories, less fat, and you can digest it easily. Go for chicken if you are trying to maintain your diet.
On the other hand, lamb is heavier, but it’s full of protein, iron, and all the good stuff. This food sticks to your ribs, and it's definitely first on your mind when it’s freezing outside and you’re really tired after a long week.
The Mood Matters
Here’s how most Londoners decide, not by the menu, but by mood. Lamb curry might be your choice if it’s cold and raining, you’re tired and just want to be comfortable watching Netflix. That rich gravy just hits differently when it’s miserable outside.
But if it’s a warm evening and you’re ordering from the best Indian restaurant London has to offer, chicken feels right. It’s lighter, cleaner, and a bit fresher. You can eat it, chat, and still move afterwards.
Even restaurant owners will tell you, lamb sales spike in winter, chicken dominates in summer. It’s a seasonal thing now, almost like curries follow the weather forecast.
East London Speaks
Spend enough time around Bethnal Green or Ilford and you’ll hear it all. Taxi drivers arguing over it, mates debating it after a pint, aunties swearing by their slow-cooked lamb recipes.
One thing’s certain, lamb still feels like “home food” for a lot of people who grew up with Indian or Bangladeshi cooking. Chicken feels more like “restaurant food”, quicker, easier, a bit more modern.
But truthfully? When the plates hit the table, everyone ends up nicking from both. Doesn’t matter what you ordered. Someone always dips their naan into your curry when you’re not looking.
What You Should Actually Do
Here’s the trick. Don’t choose. Order both. A lamb rogan josh for that deep, rich flavour, and a chicken tikka masala for balance. A bit of pilau rice, garlic naan, maybe some raita, that’s a proper night in.
And with how easy it is now to order food online from places like ChefOnline, you don’t even have to leave your sofa. Tap a few buttons, job done, curry on the way.
Final Bite
So, who wins? Both, really. Lamb’s the bold, slow-burn favourite that carries history. Chicken’s the fresh, flexible all-rounder that suits every day.
Either of them will be a great choice if you are grabbing a late-night takeaway from your favourite East London Indian restaurant. Just order what your gut tells you, no need to be stressed over this. Literally.
Because no matter what side you’re on, curry always wins.
FAQs About Lamb vs Chicken Curry
1. Is chicken or lamb curry healthier?
Chicken’s lower in calories, but lamb’s more nutrient-dense and filling. Depends what you’re after.
2. Which curry has more calories?
Usually lamb. The fat makes it richer, and yes, more indulgent.
3. What’s better for spice lovers?
Lamb curries often carry deeper heat, while chicken ones are easier to balance with cream or yoghurt.
4. Is lamb curry always fatty?
Not if cooked right. Trimmed lamb and slow cooking can make it tender without being greasy.
5. What’s the most ordered curry in the UK?
Still chicken tikka masala. But lamb rogan josh remains the old-school favourite.
