What do British mean when they talk about curry? I've seen dishes from "take aways" that look like some kind

Question

of meat with curry sauce on them.

Answer 1

When a British person refers to ordering a nice curry from somewhere, they're referring to Indian curry, and they are talking about the entire dish, as in what you described, some kind of entree meal with a curry sauce .

Answer 2

It is an important part of British food culture these days.  Many curry recipes are restaurateurs adaptations of classical Indian dishes that they brought with them to the UK.  Many of the dishes were celebration dishes, and are usually richer, and more expensive to make, than what is traditionally eaten in India.  They tend to be quite rich, some are hot, and most are based on lamb or chicken, if they are non-vegetarian.  Beef is quite rare, as pork is a little more common, and pork is the basis of the famous Vindaloo from Goa (it is more a Portugese dish than British).

Some recipes are out-and-out fabrications designed to appeal to their customers.  Either way, it is usually pretty good food!

To an American it may seen generic, but if you are in the UK, try and stop eating American and imerse yourself in the wonderful world of British Indian food.  When I am in America, I eat as you dom it is one of the great experiences of travel!