Spices of London
The home of the East India Company, whose docks and warehouses received pepper and spices, and where curry houses made Britain's national dish.
Traded and grown here
Best time: Year round.
The English East India Company was founded in 1600 and brought pepper, cinnamon, cloves and others to London. Pepper warehouses stood near the Thames, and Pepper Street in Southwark carries the old name. Brick Lane in the east is known for its Bangladeshi restaurants.
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Spices and trade
Britain's taste for curry grew from the Raj, and chicken tikka masala is often described as a national favourite. Spices are also used in Christmas puddings, mince pies and mulled wine.
The place and its people
The city has large South Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and African communities, so almost every spice cuisine can be found.
Visiting
Brick Lane, Southall and Tooting for curry, Borough Market for spice stalls, and the Museum of London Docklands for the trading story.
A trail idea for London
- Museum of London Docklands See the trade history.
- Borough Market Look at spice stalls.
- Brick Lane Eat curry.
- Southall Broadway Visit Punjabi shops.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "London" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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