Many popular dishes we enjoy today were not always considered fancy. They began as simple, affordable meals for ordinary people who wanted something tasty and to satisfy their taste buds. Foods like pizza,
fish and chips or vada pav are cooked quickly and served to workers or families with small budgets. Today, chefs in 5 star hotels serve these same foods by using fresh, high quality ingredients and artistic presentation. Here are 10 dishes now served in luxury hotels.
Pizza
Pizza is more than melted cheese and bread. It is a dish made using warm dough as the base, which is then topped with tomato sauce, herbs and toppings like vegetables or meats. Each slice can be eaten casually with hands, which makes it a favourite for parties or late night cravings. It was once a simple Italian street food, but it’s now available in fine dining restaurants. Today, pizzerias experiment with various oils, cheeses and artisanal toppings.
Tacos
Tacos used to be a simple meal for Mexican labourers, which had simple fillings like beans, meat and fresh vegetables. In recent years, tacos have been available in upscale restaurants with expensive ingredients. What makes this dish special is the balance of crunch, spice and freshness in every bite.
Ramen
Ramen started as an affordable dish for people with a low budget, as it’s filled with broth and simple toppings. Over the years, chefs elevated ramen with ingredients such as premium meats, boiled eggs and seasonal vegetables. From street stalls to high end restaurants, the Japanese dish has become a global favourite with countless variations.
Fish and Chips
Fish and chips is a classic English dish that once filled the plates of factory workers as an affordable meal. Crispy battered fish are served with potato fries, usually served with salt, vinegar or peas on the side. While it started as cheap street food, it has now become the national dish of the UK. This iconic dish can be found in high end restaurants with premium fishs and various sauces.
Litti Chokha
Litti Chokha, which originated from Bihar, has slowly moved from local kitchens to modern dining spaces. Litti are crunchy wheat balls baked over coal for a smoky taste. They are paired with chokha, a blend of roasted brinjal, tomatoes or potatoes. Litti provides protein and fiber, while the chokha, adds vitamins and minerals. When baked instead of fried, it becomes healthy choice for those trying to lose weight. Its health benefits and rich flavour have attracted chefs, who serve the dish with various chutneys or fusion accompaniments.
Vada Pav
Often called the burger of Mumbai, Vada Pav is basically a deep fried potato patty inside bread rolls, served with chutneys and fried chillies. Sold on streets, it is affordable and quick to eat on the go, due to which makes it is favourite among labourers, office workers and students. Now, food enthusiasts have experimented with the dish by adding cheese and exotic chutneys.
Idli, Dosa
Idlis and dosas are both simple yet healthy South Indian dishes made from rice and lentil batter. Idlis are soft, steamed, light on the stomach and eaten with sambar or chutney. Dosas are thin and crispy that can be served plain or filled with mashed potatoes.
Chaat
While Chaat is one dish, but its filled with flavours. It has crisp fried bases like papdi or puris, which are topped with potatoes, chickpeas, curd, chutneys and various spices. Each bite surprises the taste buds with sweet, sour, spicy and crunchy elements. Chaat is normally eaten at roadside stalls, but now, many restaurant owners have started serving the dish using unique ingredients and artistic plating.
Dal
Dal is a regular food item made in every Indian kitchen. It is made from lentils cooked with spices, onions and tomatoes. It can be light and soupy. Dal is filled with protein, usually paired with rice or roti. Its flavours change across regions. In Gujarat, it turns slightly sweet, while in Punjab, it transforms into a creamy dal makhani. Today, chefs in fine dining places use various seasonings and modern plating while preserving their homely taste.
Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a tasty yet cheap street food from Mumbai, which is made using mashed vegetables and served with buttered bread rolls. It’s a mix of potatoes, peas, tomatoes and spices, cooked until smooth and topped with butter, onions and lemon. The pav, toasted on the same hot plate, soaks up the flavours perfectly. Pav Bhaji started as a simple meal for workers, but chefs, now a days, have elevated its flavours in hotels with premium butter, exotic spices and cheese.
