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India’s culinary heritage presents a vibrant spectrum of flavours, spices, and traditions that have captured hearts across the globe. From street food sensations to royal delicacies, these dishes have made India a gastronomic superstar. Here are 10 food items that put India on the world map:
The creamy, mildly spiced curry is a staple in Indian restaurants worldwide, often paired with naan or rice. Recently, butter chicken was ranked the 4th best "stew" in the world by TasteAtlas, a popular food and travel guide. The list was unveiled as part of its annual awards announced at the end of the year.
A British-Indian creation, this smoky chicken in a rich tomato gravy is one of the most ordered dishes globally. While not officially designated, Chicken Tikka Masala is often considered the UK's national dish, symbolizing its multicultural identity. Born from Indian flavors adapted for British tastes. It is a perfect blend of external influences and
British palates.
From London to Dubai, this fragrant rice dish is a menu essential in Indian eateries everywhere. Biryani is world-famous, known for its rich, aromatic dum-style slow cooking and perfect blend of spices, rice, and meat (chicken/mutton).
The crispy, savory snack is a universal favorite, often served as an appetizer in Indian and fusion restaurants. While India and Pakistan are famous for their distinct styles, variations like Ethiopia's 'sambusa' and the general popularity of filled pastries worldwide (like empanadas) show its immense cultural reach, even reaching space with astronauts.
This soft, fluffy bread is a global favourite, perfect for scooping up curries in Indian restaurants everywhere. TasteAtlas named Naan as the best bread in the world for its soft texture and rich flavour. Though it originated from Persian influences carried to India by Mughal rulers, becoming a beloved staple enjoyed worldwide.
Vegetarian diners worldwide love this marinated and grilled cottage cheese dish for its smoky flavor. A beloved vegetarian counterpart to Chicken Tikka Masala, It's found on almost every Indian restaurant menu outside India, becoming synonymous with Indian food for many.
Char-grilled and spiced to perfection, tandoori chicken is a star of Indian menus across the globe. Its popularity exploded post-independence as Indian diaspora brought it to the UK, US, and beyond, captivating international food lovers with its yogurt marinade and clay oven (tandoor) cooking.
Comforting and wholesome, dal is a staple that’s widely available in Indian restaurants abroad. As a dried pulse, dal is inexpensive, easy to store for long periods, and provides substantial energy, making it a staple food for millions of people across the Indian subcontinent and an accessible option globally.
These syrup-soaked sweet dumplings are a must-have dessert in Indian dining experiences worldwide. Popularity among the Indian diaspora and availability in Indian restaurants worldwide, plus convenient instant mixes, have spread its appeal globally.
Spiced Indian tea has become a global trend, with “chai lattes” now a café favorite everywhere. India’s favourite beverage has been voted as the second most popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world as per TasteAtlas.
1. Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken. Credits/Pixabay
The creamy, mildly spiced curry is a staple in Indian restaurants worldwide, often paired with naan or rice. Recently, butter chicken was ranked the 4th best "stew" in the world by TasteAtlas, a popular food and travel guide. The list was unveiled as part of its annual awards announced at the end of the year.
2. Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala. Credits/Pixabay
A British-Indian creation, this smoky chicken in a rich tomato gravy is one of the most ordered dishes globally. While not officially designated, Chicken Tikka Masala is often considered the UK's national dish, symbolizing its multicultural identity. Born from Indian flavors adapted for British tastes. It is a perfect blend of external influences and
3. Biryani
Biryani. Credits/Pixabay
From London to Dubai, this fragrant rice dish is a menu essential in Indian eateries everywhere. Biryani is world-famous, known for its rich, aromatic dum-style slow cooking and perfect blend of spices, rice, and meat (chicken/mutton).
4. Samosa
Samosa. Credits/Pixabay
The crispy, savory snack is a universal favorite, often served as an appetizer in Indian and fusion restaurants. While India and Pakistan are famous for their distinct styles, variations like Ethiopia's 'sambusa' and the general popularity of filled pastries worldwide (like empanadas) show its immense cultural reach, even reaching space with astronauts.
5. Naan
Naan. Credits/Pixabay
This soft, fluffy bread is a global favourite, perfect for scooping up curries in Indian restaurants everywhere. TasteAtlas named Naan as the best bread in the world for its soft texture and rich flavour. Though it originated from Persian influences carried to India by Mughal rulers, becoming a beloved staple enjoyed worldwide.
6. Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka. Credits/Pixabay
Vegetarian diners worldwide love this marinated and grilled cottage cheese dish for its smoky flavor. A beloved vegetarian counterpart to Chicken Tikka Masala, It's found on almost every Indian restaurant menu outside India, becoming synonymous with Indian food for many.
7. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken. Credits/Pixabay
Char-grilled and spiced to perfection, tandoori chicken is a star of Indian menus across the globe. Its popularity exploded post-independence as Indian diaspora brought it to the UK, US, and beyond, captivating international food lovers with its yogurt marinade and clay oven (tandoor) cooking.
8. Dal (Lentil Curry)
Dal Makhani. Credits/Pixabay
Comforting and wholesome, dal is a staple that’s widely available in Indian restaurants abroad. As a dried pulse, dal is inexpensive, easy to store for long periods, and provides substantial energy, making it a staple food for millions of people across the Indian subcontinent and an accessible option globally.
9. Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun. Credits/Pixabay
These syrup-soaked sweet dumplings are a must-have dessert in Indian dining experiences worldwide. Popularity among the Indian diaspora and availability in Indian restaurants worldwide, plus convenient instant mixes, have spread its appeal globally.
10. Chai (Masala Tea)
Masala Chai. Credits/Pixabay
Spiced Indian tea has become a global trend, with “chai lattes” now a café favorite everywhere. India’s favourite beverage has been voted as the second most popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world as per TasteAtlas.
