What is methi?

What plant does methi come from?

Methi is a common South Asian name for fenugreek. Kew Science records its botanical name as Trigonella foenum-graecum, in the pea family. Oxford connects “methi” with leaves and seeds used in South Asian cooking.

It can therefore act as a leafy herb or seed spice. These references do not reveal where our ingredient was grown, its cultivar or processing.

This is a food guide, not medical advice; it makes no health claim for methi.

Are fenugreek leaves and seeds the same in cooking?

They come from the same species but are different parts of the plant. Leaves may be used fresh or dried, while the seeds can be used whole or ground. Each form contributes differently to a dish because texture, concentration and the way it is added vary.

For that reason, seeing “methi” in a dish name does not justify guessing whether it contains fresh leaves, dried leaves—often called kasuri methi—or seeds. Nor does it tell you an exact amount. Our current menu lists fenugreek for one main but does not publish the form, so the team is the right source if that detail matters to you.

Methi is also not the same thing as garam masala. One names a particular plant ingredient; the other names a spice mixture whose composition varies. Fenugreek may appear in some blends and not others, but we do not claim it is part of our house blend.

Which methi dishes are on our menu?

Methi Chicken or Lamb offers a choice of the two meats cooked with special herbs, spices and fenugreek. It costs £14.95 at publication and is marked gluten-free. The menu gives no heat label, so methi should not be read as a synonym for mild or hot.

Tandoori Chicken Shak-Shu-Ka with Methi is a house special made with marinated tandoori chicken on the bone. It costs £20.50. The dish name includes methi, but the short description does not itemise the fenugreek form or all other ingredients. Its base, Shak-Shu-Ka Chicken or Lamb, is described elsewhere on the menu as meat cooked in special spices and garnished with minced lamb and green herbs.

The second dish also connects two menu traditions. Our tandoor guide explains high-heat oven cooking, while this page focuses only on the named fenugreek ingredient.

What should you expect when ordering methi?

Expect fenugreek to be part of the seasoning profile, but do not expect one universal sauce, colour or heat level. Methi Chicken or Lamb and Tandoori Chicken Shak-Shu-Ka with Methi are structurally different dishes: one offers chicken or lamb as a main course, while the other centres on tandoori chicken on the bone within the house-special section.

If you prefer boneless meat or have a heat preference, ask the team before choosing. Neither dish has a printed heat rating. Our curry heat guide identifies dishes that are explicitly labelled, and our ordering guide can help pair a methi dish with vegetables, rice or bread.

Is methi vegetarian or gluten-free?

Fenugreek is a plant ingredient, but the full dish determines dietary suitability. Both methi dishes on our menu contain chicken or lamb and are therefore not vegetarian. Methi Chicken or Lamb is marked gluten-free; Tandoori Chicken Shak-Shu-Ka with Methi has no printed dietary marker.

An herb or spice name never guarantees an entire dish is free from allergens. Marinades, sauces and accompaniments may introduce ingredients not obvious from the title. Tell the team about an allergy before ordering and ask for current information about the complete dish and cross-contact.

Common questions about methi

Are methi and fenugreek the same?

Yes. Methi is a common name for fenugreek in South Asian food vocabulary.

Does methi mean leaves or seeds?

It may refer to the plant or culinary use of its leaves or seeds. A recipe or menu needs more detail to identify the precise form.

Is methi a curry?

Not by itself. Methi is an ingredient. Many distinct dishes can use it, and our two menu examples are not the same preparation.

Is your Methi Chicken or Lamb hot?

The current menu provides no heat rating. Ask the team for current guidance instead of inferring heat from the word methi.

Where can I confirm current availability?

Check the live dine-in menu. Prices and descriptions here were checked on 18 September 2026.