Foodie Rich: The Indian YMCA London

August 23, 2018 by Foodie Rich

There’s curry and then there’s CURRY. I do love a Ruby. But sometimes, it’s just a little ‘samey’, and somewhat ‘meh’! Menus read the same from restaurant to restaurant and melt in to one. Chicken tikka masala, prawn biryani, lamb rogan josh, vindaloo’s, korma’s, Balti’s and so on, these dishes appear everywhere. And don’t get me started on the puddings! FFS I don’t want to be handed a laminated list of bastardised ice cream puddings. Really, what’s that all about? All curry houses do it. Just how Indian is a lemon, hollowed out then filled with rock hard ice cream? They do the same with an orange and coconut too. It’s unnecessary. What I want is classic Indian sweets. Why not knock up a good old Indian rice pudding? Surely chef has fond memories of sweet treats back in his homeland? Just give me some of that! I started this paragraph saying there’s curry but then there’s CURRY. The point being, if you want a ruby on a Friday night after the pub, that’s just ‘curry’. But if you want something a little more special, and reminiscent of what you’d find in India, now that’s ‘CURRY!’ Both have their place. I love a vindaloo on Friday night after the pub. But to get the real CURRY you must search a little deeper; it’s a tough one to find. That’s exactly what I did last week and had a bit of a result, which I just had to share.

I spend a lot of time working in London. I do a little wining and dining on expenses, which is all very nice. But generally, my lunch consists of a ham sandwich I’ve made myself at home, which I file in my bag. This is always eaten on the hoof, without any real enjoyment; it’s just fuel. Near Tottenham Court Road is a place I’ve walked past countless times, often eating said ham sarnie. Every time I gaze through the net curtained windows, the place fascinates me. I’m a fan of India. Lou and I have visited this wonderful land many times. Everything from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, to the lazy backwaters of Kerala, it has an immense charm, which draws me back time and time again. It goes without saying food plays a big part too. The curries are like nothing else I’ve eaten before. Incidentally, did you know, in India there’s no such thing as curry! Nope, the name was given by the British back in the old days of the Raj.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand, that place near Tottenham Court Road. On the corner of Fitzroy Square you’ll find the Indian YMCA. A rather dated, and tired old building, the YMCA is foremost a place for Indian students to stay whilst studying in London. However, they have a dining hall which is open to all. Every lunchtime they position a board on the pavement displaying what Indian fayre can be had. So many times I’ve stopped and read the menu, its takes me straight back to India. Not so much the dishes, but the prices. Remember we are in London here folks, so where else can you get a fish curry for £3.40 or a lamb curry for £4.10! Pretty expensive by Indian standards, but we’re not in India, this is London, well known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Think school dinners and you won’t be far wrong. In the over lit dining hall, just grab a tray and pick up the ready served bowls of curry. There’s chicken, lamb, fish, different types of dhal, vegetables and of course the obligatory pile of rice and chapattis. Once you’ve chosen your food, simply head to the cashier and pay. For less than £14 Lou and I feasted! The food is good Indian home cooking. And rightly so, they are serving this to the residents of this hostel, who may be missing a taste of the homeland. The fish curry was packed full of thick fillets of white fish. I’m not entirely sure of its species, but it tasted bloody good. The lamb? Well, this rich and rather spicy curry certainly hit the spot. For good measure I threw in a side of dahl; well I say a side, it think it was meant to be a main dish, but what the hell, at these prices I can afford to be a little extravagant. I also couldn’t resist a little lime pickle and raita. That raita was like nothing I’ve had in any run of mill curry house. It was creamy with fresh cucumber, herbs and a little bite of onion. One thing I’ve learnt whilst in India is, expect a lot of rice. Any curry I’ve ordered over there comes with a mountain of rice. It’s a good and cheap way of bulking out the meal; it makes perfect sense. With that in mind, I only needed one plate of rice for Lou and I. Even that one plate was more than enough!

Well there you have it chaps, a true taste of India in the centre of London; and a bloody cheap one at that. If you like a good ruby, I’d encourage you to give it a go. Please, don’t be put off by its basic and rather shabby appearance. The moment you walk in to the reception of this hostel, your stepping in to India. Old faded pictures of Ghandi adorn on the walls. Indian national flags are hung everywhere, you’re not allowed to forget where you are. This must be somewhat comforting to the young Indian students visiting London for the first time. Let’s turn the tables. Imagine rocking up in Mumbai as a youngster, the whole place would confuse the hell out of you. But if you had a little piece of Britain to stay at, a little British oasis where you could retreat the madness of Mumbai, it would feel that more secure and comforting. Added to which, they’d serve you good old fish and chips or a roast dinner every Sunday. You get what I’m saying. And that’s exactly what the Indian YMCA is to the Indian youngsters. It’s just damn fortunate for us they are serving up real curry too! Remember though, this place is no frills. You may find yourself sitting next to a stranger, and your almost expected to eat and run. And there’s no alcohol! I’m not really selling this am! If you want a leisurely lunch with wine and waiters, carry on walking. But if you want a quick lunch; and are in the mood for a bloody good curry, then head on in. it has a certain charm, similar to that of India itself, that will keep drawing me back, time and time again.