Curried chicken or chicken curry? The debate continues

Curry chicken or chicken curry?

The age-old debate has raged between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana and for quite a while and some might argue that it's almost as popular as the actual dish.

With the largest Indian population in the Caribbean region, citizens of both countries can often get heated (jokingly) when discussing what the correct name is.

Usually, the rest of the Caribbean would just watch on in amusement, but when a Jamaican recently tried to enter the conversation, they were quickly shown the proverbial door.

Posted in a Jamaican Food, public group, a curious Jamaican asked, Why do people say Chicken curry? Is curry made from chicken, is the chicken seasoning the curry? Why not curry/curried chicken?

Gavin Persaud, who is a Guyanese, gave a response that might not have been expected, but which has seen many across social media clutching their bellies with laughter.

“It’s either Chicken Curry or CURRIED Chicken,” Gavin began... “And that’s a conversation between Guyanese and Trinidadians because they’re the ones who can cook a proper curry. I’m a Guyanese and I absolutely LOVE Trini food, especially their curry. So I’d gladly respect and entertain the curry banter between the Trinidadians. Jamaicans need not get involved into big people business. Most Jamaicans cook long water curry and season the meat with the curry powder…and that’s not how you do it. Stick to Oxtails and Jerk…ya’ll are the kings/queens of that. But yeah…stay out of this curry business. And by the way, how do you get “rice and peas” when you’re using “RED BEANS” to cook with? Focus on that,” Gavin posted.

This opened the flood gates with countless others chiming in to share their thoughts on the matter.

A user on Facebook commenting on the Jamaican’s question said, “Jamaican curry is an abomination. I’ve tried it in several cities on both sides of the Atlantic and it is NOT correct.Not even a speck of geera, no chadon beni, no channa, no pommecythere, no kuchela, no amchar... Just water and pepper to spite the meat.

"My child father is Guyanese, took me to Mr Jerk in SoHo London cause I was desperate for roti and gave me a Jamaican curry, and after I recovered from the shock of the way it was looking, it proved equally inedible. I should have known then that relationship was doomed. I was young and foolish though."

"Jamaicans could run down ya chicken nah, they definitely can’t make curry wid it. Also don’t trust a Guyanese man giving you Jamaican curry. He’s a propagandist and you will never meet his mother.”

Gavin in an interview with Loop Caribbean stated that his response was prompted not just by her post, but also due to the many other comments that were made and he felt compelled to express his honest thoughts on the subject.

With many curious as to how he ended up in the Jamaican Foods group, he responded that he was there as he “loves Jamaica, the people and definitely the food…well most of the food. Also, my wife is Jamaican.”

Asked whether he thinks there will ever be some mutual agreement on the curry debate, Gavin said that he thinks it will be never-ending but that he often tries to keep it fun and relatively clean.

“It's a debate that's traditionally been between us Guyanese and the Trinidadians. When there are Duck curry competitions, there are Guyanese and Trinis involved. Jamaicans do not sautée or fry as we say, the curry first. They season the chicken with curry, which will most often give it a slight raw or tarty taste. It also prevents us from getting the best and most flavours out of the various spices that curry is made up of. Also, they don't use any geera and or masala.  Guyanese and Trinis cook curry very similarly, and the taste is also similar. Which is why I'm fine with the Trinis saying curry chicken. At least they can cook it properly and it'll be some good eating,” Gavin explained.

He quickly clarified though that Jamaicans are amazing cooks. “Nobody can touch their Oxtails in my opinion. Here in the US, the southern states have a similar oxtail dish and so do the Haitians, but they're not as good as the Jamaican way. With respect to Jerk, nobody can't even be in that conversation, much less make it a debate. They're also amazing with seafood, and I especially love their escovitch fish, which is absolutely delicious! But not their curry. That's where they should exit the conversation,” he said.

Regardless of what your thoughts on the curry debate are, the reality is that our languages are largely shaped by our local cultures and experiences. Ultimately, when it comes down to it, there is no “right” way to say it.

Even so, do you say "curried chicken" or chicken curry?"