Korma vs Tikka Masala: Which Should You Order?
Korma and tikka masala sit next to each other on almost every Indian menu in Perth, and guests ask us about the difference more than almost anything else. Short version: korma is milder, creamier and nuttier; tikka masala is tangier, with more tomato and a little more warmth. The longer version helps you order the one you will actually love.
What is the difference between korma and tikka masala?
Korma is a mild, creamy curry built on nuts (usually cashew) and gentle spices, while tikka masala is a tomato-and-onion gravy with roasted, marinated chicken and more spice. Korma tastes rich and slightly sweet. Tikka masala tastes brighter and more savoury. Neither is hot, but tikka masala sits a notch above korma on the heat scale.
That is the answer in two sentences. The rest of this guide explains why they taste so different, which one suits you, and what to eat with each.
Side by side
| Korma | Tikka masala | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Cashew, cream, onion | Tomato, onion, masala |
| Heat | Very mild | Mild to medium |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet, rich | Tangy, savoury, smoky |
| Chicken | Cooked in the sauce | Roasted first, then added |
| Good first choice for | Children, chilli-shy guests | Anyone who likes a bit of tang |
Where korma comes from
Korma traces back to the Mughal kitchens of North India, where braising meat slowly in yoghurt, cream and ground nuts was a mark of a refined table. The word is usually linked to braising. The point of a korma was never heat. It was richness: a sauce smooth enough to coat the back of a spoon, scented with cardamom and a little cinnamon.
Our chicken korma is one of the four dishes our regulars order most, along with butter chicken, tandoori chicken and chicken biryani. On the menu it reads as chicken in a mild, creamy cashew gravy with a subtle blend of spices, and that is exactly what it is. We cook it with lamb and beef too, and there is a paneer korma for vegetarians.
Where tikka masala comes from
Chicken tikka masala has a famously disputed origin. Several restaurants in Britain claim to have invented it in the second half of the twentieth century by adding a tomato sauce to chicken tikka, the boneless, yoghurt-marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor. Whoever was first, the logic is clear: take smoky roast chicken and give it a sauce.
Ours is tender roast chicken cooked with capsicum, onion and masala gravy. The capsicum adds texture and a little sweetness that a korma doesn't have, and the char on the chicken comes through the sauce.
Which one should you order?
Order korma if you are new to Indian food, ordering for children, or simply want something soothing. Order tikka masala if korma sounds a bit too sweet and you like tomato-based dishes. If you can't decide, order both and share. That is how most Indian meals are eaten anyway: several dishes in the middle of the table, with rice and naan.
Still not sure? Butter chicken sits right between the two: tomato like a tikka masala, but as creamy and mild as a korma.
What to eat with them
Both curries love a garlic naan (our naan dough is made in-house) or plain steamed basmati. Korma pairs well with something crisp on the side, such as onion bhaji, so the meal is not all softness. With tikka masala, try jeera rice; the cumin works with the tomato.
Bringing a bottle? An off-dry Riesling or a lightly oaked Chardonnay suits korma. Tikka masala can take a soft, fruity red like Grenache. Dine-in guests are welcome to bring their own; see BYO at Spicy Affair.
Quick answers
Is korma or tikka masala spicier?
Tikka masala is slightly spicier. Korma is one of the mildest curries on any Indian menu.
Is korma sweet?
A little. The cashews and cream give it a gentle sweetness. Our mango chicken is the sweeter option if you want more.
Is tikka masala the same as butter chicken?
No. Both use roast chicken and tomato, but butter chicken is creamier and milder, finished with butter and cream. Tikka masala is more savoury and has capsicum and onion through it.
Can I get them for takeaway?
Yes, both are on our takeaway menu for pickup or local delivery around East Victoria Park.
