6 dishes which aren’t actually Indian
Honestly, I’m still in shock!
Indian cuisine is famous across the world. Many restaurants offer a menu that consists of dishes from the length and breadth of India. But how many of those dishes originated in India? Here’s a list of six examples which, believe me, do not have Indian origins.
Dal Bhaat
Daal Bhaat
Indians call it ‘Daal Chawal’. Those who don’t know what that means, it’s Lentil Soup with Rice. The dish is among India’s traditional meals. However, it is a Nepalese dish. The uncomplicated preparation, easy-on-the-tummy raw materials and modest taste attracted many in Nepal and across the border in India.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun
Any guesses? Here’s a hint: the original dish is called Luqmat al-qadi. Still nothing? Okay. Some might call Gulab Jamun an accidental discovery. The sweet dish consists of dough balls soaked in sugar water. Luqmat al qadi, on the other hand, is a Persian dish. That required the soaking of dough balls in pure honey, which delivered a completely different taste.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala
Okay. There are thin margins here. Chicken Tikka (Roasted Marinated Chicken) is very much an Indian dish. Chicken Tikka Masala, on the other hand, originated in Glasgow, Scotland. The primary difference between the two is that the former has no curry sauce, and the latter does.
Vindaloo
Vindaloo
Usually associated with Goan food (a local dish from Goa), it was actually the Portuguese who introduced it. Dubbed as carne de vinha d’alhos, it means meat in a garlic-wine marinade. One could use anything from mutton to pork to prepare the dish.
Samosa
Samosa
Personally, this was the real shocker! Samosa (Triangular, potato-filled fried snack) is one of the staple street foods and tea-time snacks in India. However, the original recipe came from the Middle-East. Many believe that the traders introduced Samosa in India sometime in the 14th century.
Jalebi
Jalebi
It was the Persian-speaking Turkish traders who brought the concept of Jalebi to India. The Arabic called it Jalabia, whereas the Persians called it Zoolbia.
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Comments (18)
hahahha I refuse to believe some of them!!! :p
Yeah. Some of them are quite unbelievable!
The question is, is Shivaum Indian or Persian?
Interesting. In the modern absence of Persia, though, I think the Indians can claim Jalebi and Gulab.
Done. Claimed!
Iran still exists tho...
If you dig deeper, you will find that most Indian dishes originated somewhere else and then got integrated into the local cuisine because of cross-cultural infusions.
You crushed my world :-)
There’s another Indian dish started in Scotland too it’s called Chicken Chasni Masala it’s more tomatoey and red in colour but comes more with a sweet & sour taste . It’s fantastic. Most curry houses and takeaway places have it in Scotland. I haven’t had it in a while so I might get it soon. You can look it up on YouTube.
Never heard of Chasni Masala. YouTube, here I come!