Indians love to boast about their unique yet diverse cuisine. Why shouldn’t they? After all, India has a very diverse and rich culinary tradition, with some dishes universally familiar and others shrouded in general obscurity. For tourists, Indian cuisine is the top attraction along with Bollywood and tourist places. Amazingly, many food items that have become a part of our daily lives in India have no Indian origin. It is difficult to judge these dishes. Read on to know more about some of the food items that we mistakenly think are indigenous but are not!
Read also: 5 lesser-known Indian dishes every foodie must try
Here are 8 dishes that are not Indian yet you thought they were:
1. Samosa
In Indian households, the samosa is a ubiquitous tea-time snack and snack item. This famous dish has Persian roots (modern Iran). The Persian word ‘sambusak’ is the source of the Hindi word ‘samosa’. Although the original filling of the samosa was minced meat, it is now often filled with potatoes, paneer, peas, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onions and chillies in modern India. Here’s a quick recipe for samosas, one of India’s humble snacks.
2. Jalebi
Also known as Jilapi in Bengal and Jelepi in Assam, this sweet snack is one of India’s favorite breakfast and desserts. The Middle East is where Jalebi first appeared in history. The Arab cookbook “Kitab al Tabikh” mentions a similar dish called zalabih in the Middle East. Mix your jalebi with curd or rabri to enhance its taste. Click here to view the recipe.
3. Biryani
Data from Swiggy and Zomato shows that Biryani is the most ordered food item in Indian households. Waiting for whom? Biryani is not Indian. Although its exact origin is unknown, it is said that the Mughals introduced Biryani to the natives. The modern version of biryani gradually emerged in the kitchens of the Mughal emperors. It was a delicious yet easy-to-make meal for the Mughal army as well! If you are a fan of biryani, you can find the recipe here.
4. Vindaloo
Vindaloo, also known as Vindaloo, is a popular Goan curry dish. This Goan delicacy has its origins in a nearby Portuguese dish ‘Carne de Vinha d’Alhos’. For those unaware, this dish consists of pork marinated in garlic or vinegar. Click here for the recipe.
5. Chicken Tikka Masala
NRIs, especially those living in the UK, have gone gaga over chicken tikka masala. re! Chicken Tikka Masala is not Indian! Shocking, right?! It is said to have been invented by a Bangladeshi cook in Glasgow, Scotland in the late 20th century. Legend has it that to please his customer, he added some tomato sauce to his boneless chicken. If chicken tikka masala is your thing, you can find the recipe here.
6. Rajma
Rajma Chawal is a north-Indian obsession, especially in Punjabi households. But did you realize that Rajma was not invented in India? It originated in Mexico. It is believed to have been carried by the Portuguese, the early explorers, from North America to Europe, from where it found its way to India via colonists. So, the next time your friend claims that these Mexicans imported kidney beans from India to make tacos, remind them that the opposite is true. For the quick recipe for Rajma Chawal, click here.
Read also: Indian Cooking Tips: How To Make Authentic Kashmiri Rajma For A Unique Addition To Your Meals
7. Gulab Jamun
Even if you are hyperglycemic, you cannot miss out on Gulab Jamun. This brown, juicy ball was believed to be an Indian delicacy, but evidence suggests it is originally from Persia/Mediterranean and came to India with the Turkish rulers. The word ‘Gulab Jamun’ itself is derived from the Persian words ‘gol’ and ‘ab’, which translate as ‘scented rose water’. The original Gulab Jamun was soaked in honey instead of sugar syrup. Click here to know how to make delicious and yummy Gulab Jamun at home.
8. Tea
India is the second largest producer of tea in the world. Doesn’t our morning start without a delicious bed tea. But did you know that tea originated in China? Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known remains of tea in the tomb of a Chinese emperor from the Han Dynasty. It was a popular drink among Chinese royalty during the reign of the Tang Dynasty. Tea found its way to the rest of the world through the historic Silk Road. In India, the British started its cultivation in the North East.
If we have missed to include a dish that is popular in India but is not indigenous to that country, do let us know in the comments section below.
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