India's Cuisine Ranked Fifth & Pakistani 47th in The List Of Best Cuisines Of The World

[Major]

I am wondering if any Pakistani/Brit-Pakistani has been to Old Delhi and eaten at Kareems? [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]?
How is the food there compared to Pakistan?

loved it.

The first time ever i had mughlai dishes. Oh man the naans and the curries there were just fantastic. The other branches were not as good as the one in old delhi.

 

[Major]

btw canadian toronto ppers are lucky to have Bamyan Kebab, its afghani but great food

 

[Mamoon]

Take two. Is this another one that advertises itself as "Indian (& Pakistani) cuisine"?

Yes

“Experience Himalaya with Houston's Best Indian and Pakistani cuisine”

Another “authentic” Pakistani restaurant that has to market itself as “Indian” first to attract customers because the “best in the world” Pakistani food cannot bring customers without labeling itself as Indian.

Also, no authentic Pakistani restaurant would serve Indian-style butter chicken & apparently that is one of the signature dishes of Himalaya.
[MENTION=151861]Colorblind Genius[/MENTION] thanks for the laugh.

 

[Mamoon]

I tried Indian food many times at different restaurants/weddings etc in the UK at least.

Pakistani food always tastes better just like the mangos but that’s just my personal preference.

And Mamoon is talking nonsense when he says Pakistani foods or restaurants advertise themselves as Indian. Bengali restaurants in the UK certainly do use the “Indian” word to attract Anglo Saxon customers but I have never seen any Pakistani restaurants do the same because precisely they want to differentiate themselves.

We have literally seen two so-called authentic Pakistani restaurants in Houston TX that call themselves Indian first.

I will search the best so-called Pakistani restaurants in UK next to see what they are up to.

I don’t believe you that they don’t do the same, have to see it for myself.

 

[Mamoon]

The great challenge with authentic Italian cuisine is navigating your away around pork & wine. Italians are obsessed with them.

Wine in cooking is fine from a religious perspective because it evaporates & it cannot get you drunk but you still don’t feel comfortable eating food where a bit of wine was added during the cooking process.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Yes, as I stated above, many Pakistani restaurants use the term indo Pak mainly because of the business purposes, and also because the NAMES of some items are the same. So it’s equivalent to both Indian and Pakistani clients; however the texture and taste between the dish of Pakistani origin are different from the Indian’s.

Aga’s followed the same trend when opened a few years as a very, very small eatery.
And now that he has grown by leaps n bounds, he still keeps the same name. But if you look at his menu, there is no such junk as dholka and dosa and poha, sambar and cooked banana, mooli paratha, idli and Phudli and all that kinda junk.

And same goes the other way round, many Indian restaurants use the term “Indian Pakistani food” to attract more clients.




These were white Caucasian families, far easterners, Africans and some Indians.

Regardless of how we argue, Pakistani food is not as bad as it made to look in these biased and joke of rating in OP.

It’s definitely a lot popular and most definitely A LOT better in taste, texture and quality from the Indian food IF we compare the common items.

Take two. Is this another one that advertises itself as "Indian (& Pakistani) cuisine"?

You didnt read the post above?

 

[Colorblind Genius]

The great challenge with authentic Italian cuisine is navigating your away around pork & wine. Italians are obsessed with them.

Wine in cooking is fine from a religious perspective because it evaporates & it cannot get you drunk but you still don’t feel comfortable eating food where a bit of wine was added during the cooking process.

On principle yes; I agree with you. One doesn’t feel comfortable.

I once asked a Pakistani coworker after he gave me a long and philosophical explanation when I refused to eat such food, that, wine evaporates once the food is cooked.

I said, OK what if I add a few drops of my urine in the food and cook it all the way till all urine fully “evaporates”, are you going to eat it?
He said No.
I said, the same goes for me if you add wine in my food and cook it all the way.
It gets “paleet”.

And this is actually B-Ess that all wine evacuates. It actually never does

I once ate a vegetarian dish at an Italian restaurant during an office party. It was eggplant, and tomatoes, vegetable oil with some cheese, salt and black pepper.

A few minutes after eating, my head started to spin so bad that I couldn’t drive my car back home.
I pulled over in a parking lot and called the hotel as to what the EFF was in my food that I am drooling? And he said, besides adding a little wine during the cooking process, we didn’t add anything else - and since wine is technically vegetarian, we list the dish under the vegetarian menu.

And I was like, O Teri maa di …

And then think about it, if all alcohol evaporates, then what’s the freaking point? Why don’t you add non-alcoholic wine in the food? Why only the one with alcohol?

And whether Italian or not, it’s not only pork meat but also the lard (pig fat) that’s heavily used in non-halal items. It’s cheap and restaurants love it - especially the Chinese and Thai types. If you shrimp or fish is some non-halal Chinese or Thai type stores, they are most like fried and cooked in lard.

I am sure it’s heavily used in Italian cuisine as well.

 

[Varun]

I once ate a vegetarian dish at an Italian restaurant during an office party. It was eggplant, and tomatoes, vegetable oil with some cheese, salt and black pepper.

A few minutes after eating, my head started to spin so bad that I couldn’t drive my car back home.
I pulled over in a parking lot and called the hotel as to what the EFF was in my food that I am drooling? And he said, besides adding a little wine during the cooking process, we didn’t add anything else - and since wine is technically vegetarian, we list the dish under the vegetarian menu.

And I was like, O Teri maa di …

Er...wine doesn't do that to you - leave alone a few drops of it in food. Must've been something else.

 

[Varun]

You didnt read the post above?

Don't call any restaurant "authentic Pakistani" if it has to use an Indian label to try to be successful.

Few Indian restaurants will do the reverse: call themselves Pakistani and then claim it's authentic Indian food.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Yes

“Experience Himalaya with Houston's Best Indian and Pakistani cuisine”

Another “authentic” Pakistani restaurant that has to market itself as “Indian” first to attract customers because the “best in the world” Pakistani food cannot bring customers without labeling itself as Indian.

Also, no authentic Pakistani restaurant would serve Indian-style butter chicken & apparently that is one of the signature dishes of Himalaya.

[MENTION=151861]Colorblind Genius[/MENTION] thanks for the laugh.

As I said,
Find me the Dhokla and Phodla and samba on their menus?

 

[Mamoon]

As I said,
Find me the Dhokla and Phodla and sambar on their menus?

These are South Indian dishes. A totally different cuisine than North Indian/Mughlai.

There are plenty of Indian restaurants that do not offer South Indian food & there are plenty of South Indian restaurants that do not offer north-Indian food.

Any Pakistani restaurant that calls itself “Indian” for whatever reason & serves Indian-style butter chicken cannot be considered as an authentic Pakistani restaurant.

That is the problem with Pakistani cuisine & Pakistani restaurants. They have no identity.

 

[Sidilicious]

loved it.

The first time ever i had mughlai dishes. Oh man the naans and the curries there were just fantastic. The other branches were not as good as the one in old delhi.

Went for the first time this month to Kareems. Had eaten nihari once at bottleopenerwala, but kareems near Jama masjid was something else.

Never been to Pakistan, what would be the equivalent dishes in Pakistan?

 

[Colorblind Genius]

These are South Indian dishes. A totally different cuisine than North Indian/Mughlai.

There are plenty of Indian restaurants that do not offer South Indian food & there are plenty of South Indian restaurants that do not offer north-Indian food.

Any Pakistani restaurant that calls itself “Indian” for whatever reason & serves Indian-style butter chicken cannot be considered as an authentic Pakistani restaurant.

That is the problem with Pakistani cuisine & Pakistani restaurants. They have no identity.

Meat dishes are not Indian to begin with. They came to India thru the Mughals of Afghanistan.

The true Indian cuisine is what we now call “South Indian”.

North Indian cuisine may have some additional veggie items, like the ultra gassy mooli paratha

 

[Yossarian]

And Mamoon is talking nonsense when he says Pakistani foods or restaurants advertise themselves as Indian. Bengali restaurants in the UK certainly do use the “Indian” word to attract Anglo Saxon customers but I have never seen any Pakistani restaurants do the same because precisely they want to differentiate themselves.

Most (not all) Pakistani restaurants in the UK do not serve alcohol. Indian restaurants's do. Hence, when it comes to a Halal Pakistani restaurants versus non-Halal Indian restaurants, diners will inevitably choose the one that also serves alcohol. Western diners want a glass of wine or beer with their meal.

 

[MenInG]

Most (not all) Pakistani restaurants in the UK do not serve alcohol. Indian restaurants's do. Hence, when it comes to a Halal Pakistani restaurants versus non-Halal Indian restaurants, diners will inevitably choose the one that also serves alcohol. Western diners want a glass of wine or beer with their meal.

QED.

Thanks.

 

[Yossarian]

Furthermore, it's a bit rich to call meat dishes 'Indian food', when Hindus aren't into eating meat.

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

 

[Varun]

Furthermore, it's a bit rich to call meat dishes 'Indian food', when Hindus aren't into eating meat.

More Hindus eat meat than those who do not. Plenty of Indians also consume beef - particularly in the Southern parts of the country.

I encourage you to put your food where your mouth is - literally. Open a restaurant and don't piggyback on the 'Indian' label to market yourself.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Furthermore, it's a bit rich to call meat dishes 'Indian food', when Hindus aren't into eating meat.

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

Why don't you read about things before posting?

Hindus regularly eat meat.

There is an entire caste among Hindus called Khatiks, whose job as per the hereditary caste system was to sell meat.

Epics like Mahabharata mention incidents of Hunting and eating meat.

The hindu hatred of posters like you is nauseating.

 

[Yossarian]

The hindu hatred of posters like you is nauseating.

And your hate of Pakistanis and Muslims?

Also, notice how you conveniently ignored the first part of my post, but failed to mention the 2nd part.

Here, try giving a response. It's a simple question, not a statement.

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

Incidentally, I still recall your admission, a few years ago, of how your families wealth is partly based on bribes and corruption.

 

[Yossarian]

More Hindus eat meat than those who do not. Plenty of Indians also consume beef - particularly in the Southern parts of the country.

I encourage you to put your food where your mouth is - literally. Open a restaurant and don't piggyback on the 'Indian' label to market yourself.

You missed the 2nd part of my question

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

Care to respond?

 

[Varun]

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

Among the major cities, beef is only banned in Mumbai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat respectively). It is available in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata.

If you see any beef on the menu in these 3 cities, it's probably buffalo meat being used as a substitute. Doesn't matter if you're a Westerner or Easterner.

 

[Yossarian]

I encourage you to put your food where your mouth is - literally. Open a restaurant and don't piggyback on the 'Indian' label to market yourself.

I don't particularly like desi food, Indian or Pakistani.
My preference is for meat dishes like steak, barbecue, roast beef and such like.

 

[Varun]

I don't particularly like desi food, Indian or Pakistani.
My preference is for meat dishes like steak, barbecue, roast beef and such like.

Fair enough. My point is that Pakistani posters who wax lyrical about supposed Pakistani cuisine while needing to put the Indian label on it to sell it are being empty vessels (pun intended), and admitting that Indian food is the superset, of which Pakistani food is merely a part.

 

[Yossarian]

I don't particularly like desi food, Indian or Pakistani.
My preference is for meat dishes like steak, barbecue, roast beef and such like.

Alternatively, Cod, Salmon, Haddock, Lobster etc. baked or grilled, but definitely not fried.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Meat dishes are not Indian to begin with. They came to India thru the Mughals of Afghanistan.

The true Indian cuisine is what we now call “South Indian”.

North Indian cuisine may have some additional veggie items, like the ultra gassy mooli paratha

Sorry but this is as ignorant as it gets. Meat dishes did not come to India through mughals. Meat was consumed even in ancient India.

And South Indian cuisine is certainly not more vegetarian than any other part of the country.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Don't call any restaurant "authentic Pakistani" if it has to use an Indian label to try to be successful.

Few Indian restaurants will do the reverse: call themselves Pakistani and then claim it's authentic Indian food.

Pakistan has negative connotations associated to it since it's creation. While India has always been accepted as a country associated with servility, those who immigrated to Britain following partition from Pakistan quickly got targeted with disparaging abbreviated form of Pakistani (without the 'stani') which became an abusive term.

Reasons for this are not clear, but it might reflect why Pakistani food is not widely advertised as such, because you are selling to the same people who originated the term.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

I encourage you to put your food where your mouth is - literally. Open a restaurant and don't piggyback on the 'Indian' label to market yourself.

Why not?
If Indian grocery stores and many restaurants advertise “Pakistani” in their marketing then why Pak can’t do the same?

If anyone likes that spice overloaded gassy vegetarian junk then don’t visit Pak restaurants. No one cares.

I do however see that many, many Indians loved to eat n enjoy at Pakistani restaurants here in USA.
If you ever happen to be at Aga’s in Houston then take a notice of Indians in the crowd.
And compare it with how many Pakistanis do you notice at Indian restaurants. Probably none to zero because they don’t sell halal and they also sell alcohol.
Pakistani families usually avoid eating at such places.

Matter of fact, many Hinduz buy meat from Pakistani stores. Even though it’s pricier, but they say Halal meat tastes a lot better than cheaper non-halal meat sold at American grocery stores.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Fair enough. My point is that Pakistani posters who wax lyrical about supposed Pakistani cuisine while needing to put the Indian label on it to sell it are being empty vessels (pun intended), and admitting that Indian food is the superset, of which Pakistani food is merely a part.

How can Pakistani food be a subset of Indian food? That could only be logical if Pakistan was part of India, but it's very creation flies in the face of that.

If you really want to divide up the cuisines of the region, it would make more sense to do it regionally, and give credit to the influences, which may well include, British, Portugese, Mughal, and of course the smaller regions inside the subcontinent itself.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Fair enough. My point is that Pakistani posters who wax lyrical about supposed Pakistani cuisine while needing to put the Indian label on it to sell it are being empty vessels (pun intended), and admitting that Indian food is the superset, of which Pakistani food is merely a part.

Yes and no.’
Yes there is an overlap - but that overlap is only in the NAMES of the dishes.
The taste, texture and quality are different of same name dish when compared the Pak version vs the Indian version.
And Pak version is much, much better.

No, Pak cuisine is not a subset of Indian cuisine. There are many items that are not on the Indian cuisine - Peahwari Karahi, Shinwari Tikka, Patta Gosht, meva Channa pulaow, kofta with Masoor pulaow, Kalla gosht (made with meat from a cow’s face) Balochi Sajji, and there maybe more. Not sure if even katta katt gurday kapooray are on the Indian menu?

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan has negative connotations associated to it since it's creation. While India has always been accepted as a country associated with servility, those who immigrated to Britain following partition from Pakistan quickly got targeted with disparaging abbreviated form of Pakistani (without the 'stani') which became an abusive term.

Reasons for this are not clear, but it might reflect why Pakistani food is not widely advertised as such, because you are selling to the same people who originated the term.

Pakistan has struggled to form its own identity so it is not surprising that it’s cuisine has also suffered to distinguish itself, which is why so-called authentic Pakistani restaurants have to call themselves Indian to do business.

As a culture, Pakistan has failed to step out of India’s shadow. The West will continue to view anything South Asian as Indian. Show them a Pakistani dish & they will always call it Indian food.

It is a painful reality but one the people of Pakistan must accept.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistan has struggled to form its own identity so it is not surprising that it’s cuisine has also suffered to distinguish itself, which is why so-called authentic Pakistani restaurants have to call themselves Indian to do business.

As a culture, Pakistan has failed to step out of India’s shadow. The West will continue to view anything South Asian as Indian. Show them a Pakistani dish & they will always call it Indian food.

It is a painful reality but one the people of Pakistan must accept.

Well it could be argued that Pakistan has certainly established an identity of sorts, the abbreviated word for Pakistanis has certainly been adopted widely as a term of abuse for subcontinentals in general. I don't think you can use western perception as a barometer though, otherwise everyone would be calling Sushi chinese food.

Pakistani food should in theory, have no more problem becoming established than Bangladeshi food, a country which has been around even less time than Pakistan. Do we apply the same principles to Bangladesh as we do to Pakistan? Are they also serving Indian food rather than Bangladeshi?

 

[NishanKonar]

Sorry but this is as ignorant as it gets. Meat dishes did not come to India through mughals. Meat was consumed even in ancient India.

And South Indian cuisine is certainly not more vegetarian than any other part of the country.

Most Pakistanis have little idea about India. They think all Indians are vegetarian. South Indian food is pure veg

For my Pakistani friends let me clarify few things

1. Barring few castes like Brahmins , Banias, Jats - most Hindus are non vegetarian
2. 90% South Indians are non vegetarian. They have wonderful meat and seafood dishes
2. India has lot more variety in non veg dishes bcoz we have seafood as well. Unlike Pakistan which is mostly limited to beef , mutton , chicken. In India you can get fish, crab, prawns, shrimps, snail , oysters in addition to traditional meat like mutton , pork, chicken , duck meat and even beef ( buffalo meat )

Now you can argue which cuisine is better. I guess each nation will stand by their own cuisine. Which is fine !
But this notion that India has only veg dishes is absurd

ps : There are many high end Indian restaurants in USA and UK now set up by top Indian chefs like Sanjiv Kapoor. Do you explore if u get a chance. U will find dishes beyond the Punjabi-Mughlai dishes that you are familiar with

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Most Pakistanis have little idea about India. They think all Indians are vegetarian. South Indian food is pure veg

For my Pakistani friends let me clarify few things

1. Barring few castes like Brahmins , Banias, Jats - most Hindus are non vegetarian
2. 90% South Indians are non vegetarian. They have wonderful meat and seafood dishes
2. India has lot more variety in non veg dishes bcoz we have seafood as well. Unlike Pakistan which is mostly limited to beef , mutton , chicken. In India you can get fish, crab, prawns, shrimps, snail , oysters in addition to traditional meat like mutton , pork, chicken , duck meat and even beef ( buffalo meat )

Now you can argue which cuisine is better. I guess each nation will stand by their own cuisine. Which is fine !
But this notion that India has only veg dishes is absurd

ps : There are many high end Indian restaurants in USA and UK now set up by top Indian chefs like Sanjiv Kapoor. Do you explore if u get a chance. U will find dishes beyond the Punjabi-Mughlai dishes that you are familiar with

Since India isn't really a nation, but actually more like a continent, it's hardly surprising outsiders (including Pakistanis) are not that familiar with what it stands for. What used to be a lot of smaller kingdoms were all consolidated by invaders, they are the ones who actually gave the region the general name of India. Otherwise I would imagine those in north India would have trouble understanding the language of some of the southern regions of India, let alone share the same culinary traits or even religious beliefs.

 

[NishanKonar]

Since India isn't really a nation, but actually more like a continent, it's hardly surprising outsiders (including Pakistanis) are not that familiar with what it stands for. What used to be a lot of smaller kingdoms were all consolidated by invaders, they are the ones who actually gave the region the general name of India. Otherwise I would imagine those in north India would have trouble understanding the language of some of the southern regions of India, let alone share the same culinary traits or even religious beliefs.

I am not blaming Pakistanis for not knowing much about India beyond North India , Hindi and Bollywood.

Just calling out weird generalizations and stereotypes about Hindus / South Indians on this thread. Frankly have seen this in real life with Pakistanis in Europe and USA

Like most Pakistanis think Indian movies mean Bollywood. But south Indian movies are delivering much bigger hits than Bollywood

To be fair even Indians have similar stereotypes and generalizations about Pakistanis ! Its actually a 2 way traffic

ps : There is small town called Dindigul in South India. They produce some of the best meat dishes in India. Much better than any meat dish from North India or Pakistan. This is my personal opinion. My experience of Pakistani food is overseas Pakistani restaurants - so dont know how authentic they are

pps : I am originally from Bengal and we have some amazing meat dishes. May be u guys should try out our mutton curry cooked in yoghurt at a Bengali place sometime

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I am not blaming Pakistanis for not knowing much about India beyond North India , Hindi and Bollywood.

Just calling out weird generalizations and stereotypes about Hindus / South Indians on this thread. Frankly have seen this in real life with Pakistanis in Europe and USA

Like most Pakistanis think Indian movies mean Bollywood. But south Indian movies are delivering much bigger hits than Bollywood

To be fair even Indians have similar stereotypes and generalizations about Pakistanis ! Its actually a 2 way traffic

ps : There is small town called Dindigul in South India. They produce some of the best meat dishes in India. Much better than any meat dish from North India or Pakistan. This is my personal opinion. My experience of Pakistani food is overseas Pakistani restaurants - so dont know how authentic they are

pps : I am originally from Bengal and we have some amazing meat dishes. May be u guys should try out our mutton curry cooked in yoghurt at a Bengali place sometime

Pakistanis will still know a lot more about your country than most other people in the world, so to describe it as ignorance is ignorant in itself. Would you use that term for Americans or Australians who thought Indians are vegetarian?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Stupid ranking. Indian and Pakistani cuisines should be ranked equally.

 

[NishanKonar]

Pakistanis will still know a lot more about your country than most other people in the world, so to describe it as ignorance is ignorant in itself. Would you use that term for Americans or Australians who thought Indians are vegetarian?

I really don't think Americans and Australians think most Indians are vegetarian. In fact they think Indian food is chicken tikka and naan paaratha. Very few Westerners know about vegetarian dishes of India like dosa, idli sambhar, matar paneer or sarson ka saag bcoz in the USA or UK Indian restaurants serve mostly non veg food for the locals. Only a few like Saravana Bhavan serve pure veg food

In fact I once read this story that curry houses in UK suffered a blow to their reputation when British tourists started coming to India and realized that chicken tikka was not really Indian dish but something invented in UK by expats. Real Indian meat dishes were very different and tasted different. This actually led to many Indian chefs moving abroad and setting up restaurants in London / New York and promising to serve authentic Indian food !

And this " Pakistanis know more about India than Westerners" is lame when they say stuff like Hindus are all veg " or " India has no meat dishes ". You sound no better than the ignorant Westerners !

Anyways its fine that Pakistanis dont know much about India. Just accept it and learn more if you wish to know more

 

[NishanKonar]

I really don't think Americans and Australians think most Indians are vegetarian. In fact they think Indian food is chicken tikka and naan paaratha. Very few Westerners know about vegetarian dishes of India like dosa, idli sambhar, matar paneer or sarson ka saag bcoz in the USA or UK Indian restaurants serve mostly non veg food for the locals. Only a few like Saravana Bhavan serve pure veg food

In fact I once read this story that curry houses in UK suffered a blow to their reputation when British tourists started coming to India and realized that chicken tikka was not really Indian dish but something invented in UK by expats. Real Indian meat dishes were very different and tasted different. This actually led to many Indian chefs moving abroad and setting up restaurants in London / New York and promising to serve authentic Indian food !

And this " Pakistanis know more about India than Westerners" is lame when they say stuff like Hindus are all veg " or " India has no meat dishes ". You sound no better than the ignorant Westerners !

Anyways its fine that Pakistanis dont know much about India. Just accept it and learn more if you wish to know more

Tbf most Indians have similar stereotypes and generalizations about Pakistan. So its not like Indians are any different

 

[Gollum]

Who cares about this stupid ranking! Everyone knows Pakistan can do meat better than India and reverse is true for vegetarian stuff. Though both have a common origin. Having separate rankings do not make any sense. There is no West Germany and East Germany cuisine! Same is true for the South Asian subcontinent.

 

[cricketjoshila]

And your hate of Pakistanis and Muslims?

Also, notice how you conveniently ignored the first part of my post, but failed to mention the 2nd part.

Here, try giving a response. It's a simple question, not a statement.

Incidentally, I still recall your admission, a few years ago, of how your families wealth is partly based on bribes and corruption.

You live in UK? There are more muslims in my city than perhaps your country.

Question? Well well well werent you advocating that countries expect foreign visitors to follow rules?

I never made any such statements. My family went into business even before the British had colonised the subcontinent. Thats how far we go back. Bribes and corruption.lol

 

[rickroll]

India is ranked fifth on the global list of the best cuisines for 2022, according to Taste Atlas. The ranking is based on audience votes for ingredients, dishes, and beverages. Italy's food came in first place followed by Greece and Spain.
India received 4.54 points and the best rated foods of the country include "garam masala, malai, ghee, butter garlic naan, keema", the rating said. It has a total of 460 items in the list.


https://www.ndtv.com/feature/indias...he-list-of-best-cuisines-of-the-world-3636735

https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/cuisines

I feel this ranking is unfair since many of the Pakistani dishes are clubbed under Indian cuisine. Pakistan has such a big diversity in its cuisine in spite of being a much smaller country than India.

 

[kamz]

And Pakistan are ranked 47th

Pakistani cuisine has ranked 47th in TasteAtlas' World's Best Cuisine Awards 2022, receiving a 3.95 out of five-star rating.

According to the Bulgaria-based experiential travel guide to traditional food, Pakistan's best-rated foods include chapli kebab, chicken karahi, halwa poori and shahi tukray, among others.

Further, the best restaurants for Pakistani cuisine include Kolachi Restaurant, Javed Nihari, Bar.B.Q Tonight and Ridan House of Mandi in Karachi as well as Waris Nihari in Lahore.

so they chose an arab / yemeni cuisine restaurant to judge pakistani cuisine? seems like whoever the chaps were judging glbal cuisines, havent got a clue about their jobs.

I am surprised that mediterrenean (turkish/lebanese) food so low rated

 

[shaz619]

Highly disagree. Places like Dishoom, chai Ki, Roti Chai serve wonderful food, are innovative with an excellent ambiance. They have really caught the attention of the foodies.

The local Pak places are also good, and defo serve the best lamb options, but not in the league of Dishoom etc.

I can’t trust anyone who rates Dishoom and their food, full marks for their decor, service and “experience” but if you are going there for really good food you wont get that, am certain Indians from back home would feel insulted afterwards and what they charge you is extortionate. But kids who enjoy taking pictures and selfies etc will really love the place, it’s basically like an Akbar’s (who are not as consistent outside Bradford with their food which is still better) but better decor and service which is not worth it for the price. You can get 10x better food from any Desi Karahi place, if you have a Pakistani mate or two who don’t walk everywhere with their shirts tucked in their trousers, they should be able to take you to one of those local gems.

 

[Sachin136]

Incidentally, since beef is now banned in many Indian states, are Westerners still able to have beef steak in their meals in the major hotel restaurants in the main cities?

I would hope not.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I really don't think Americans and Australians think most Indians are vegetarian. In fact they think Indian food is chicken tikka and naan paaratha. Very few Westerners know about vegetarian dishes of India like dosa, idli sambhar, matar paneer or sarson ka saag

That's right, because westerners have actually been brought up eating Pakistani food without realising it. Even Bengali restaurants serve the same stuff in the UK, naans, parathas, kebabs, tandoori chicken and plenty of lamb/meat salans. Only recently have we seen some South Indian veggie recipes putting their heads above the parapet, I'm sure there's a good reason why it took so long.

 

[Kroll]

I come from a food family and I can guarantee you, the home desi food we serve up is going to be far tastier and of higher quality than anything you will get at most desi restaurants.

What I find with most restaurants I have been to is that starters are usually good but the mains like curries etc leave a lot to be desired.

 

[sweep_shot]

I come from a food family and I can guarantee you, the home desi food we serve up is going to be far tastier and of higher quality than anything you will get at most desi restaurants.

What I find with most restaurants I have been to is that starters are usually good but the mains like curries etc leave a lot to be desired.

I agree.

I don't like to eat out as those foods are filled with salt and other unhealthy stuffs.

Better to eat at home. There are so many recipes online anyway.

 

[Kroll]

I agree.

I don't like to eat out as those foods are filled with salt and other unhealthy stuffs.

Better to eat at home. There are so many recipes online anyway.

Yup not to mention boat loads of oil, desi ghee, excessive fat, grease and whatnot.

 

[Technics 1210]

Flawed rankings.

There is absolutely no chance in hell for 'English' cuisine to be in the top 30.

I defy anyone to list their top 5 English dishes - no Google!

 

[Kashmirilion]

Flawed rankings.

There is absolutely no chance in hell for 'English' cuisine to be in the top 30.

I defy anyone to list their top 5 English dishes - no Google!

1)Sunday roast
2)fish and chips
3)Cornish pasty
4)the full English
5)cottage pie
6) Yorkshire pudding.

No Google used I promise.

 

[Cricket-lion]

Flawed rankings.

There is absolutely no chance in hell for 'English' cuisine to be in the top 30.

I defy anyone to list their top 5 English dishes - no Google!

Yes, I agree! This makes the ratings laughable really. England doesn't even have a cousine. Surprised that the Turkish cousine is not in the top 3.

 

[Yossarian]

Pakistani food should in theory, have no more problem becoming established than Bangladeshi food, a country which has been around even less time than Pakistan. Do we apply the same principles to Bangladesh as we do to Pakistan? Are they also serving Indian food rather than Bangladeshi?

As mentioned earlier that most (but not all) Pakistani restaurants in the UK don't serve alcohol, whilst Indian restaurants do, and most (non-Muslim) diners like a glass or two of wine or beer with their meal, that is one primary reason that diners tend to veer towards Indian restaurants.

Bangladeshi restaurants in the UK, just like the Indian restaurants, but unlike (most) Pakistani restaurants, do serve alcohol.

Hence, I would say that the availability of alcohol is a major driving factor in choosing Indian or Bangladeshi over Pakistani.

To compensate, the no alcohol serving Pakistani restaurants then tend to turn their back on competing with the Bangladeshis and Indians, and just concentrate on Pakistani food for Pakistani origin customers

 

[Technics 1210]

1)Sunday roast
2)fish and chips
3)Cornish pasty
4)the full English
5)cottage pie
6) Yorkshire pudding.

No Google used I promise.

Yorkshire Pudding isn't a dish, in fact it is served with Sunday Roast. Cornish pasty is a bakery item.

But OK, you listed 4 dishes, but how many of these dishes above are served worldwide in dedicated English cusine restaurants? I have travelled quite a bit, and I have never seen a dedicated English restaurant outside of the UK! In fact the closest to an English restaurant in the UK, is a pub!

 

[Technics 1210]

As mentioned earlier that most (but not all) Pakistani restaurants in the UK don't serve alcohol, whilst Indian restaurants do, and most (non-Muslim) diners like a glass or two of wine or beer with their meal, that is one primary reason that diners tend to veer towards Indian restaurants.

Bangladeshi restaurants in the UK, just like the Indian restaurants, but unlike (most) Pakistani restaurants, do serve alcohol.

Hence, I would say that the availability of alcohol is a major driving factor in choosing Indian or Bangladeshi over Pakistani.

To compensate, the no alcohol serving Pakistani restaurants then tend to turn their back on competing with the Bangladeshis and Indians, and just concentrate on Pakistani food for Pakistani origin customers

In Southall/Hounslow, and East London the majority of Pakistani restaurants do not serve alcohol, but are off license which means you can bring your own alcohol.

 

[Yossarian]

I come from a food family and I can guarantee you, the home desi food we serve up is going to be far tastier and of higher quality than anything you will get at most desi restaurants.

What I find with most restaurants I have been to is that starters are usually good but the mains like curries etc leave a lot to be desired.

Obviously, the cooking method between home cooking and restaurant coooking is very different.

In home cooking, the spices and masalas go into the pot at a much earlier stage, and 'infuse' into the meat.

In restaurants, you may have a hundred varieties of just a lamb dish (eg with this sauce, with that sauce, hot, medium, mild .....etc), and same for chicken etc.

Considering the time it takes to cook, for example lamb, the diners are not going to wait forever, and the chef is not going to start from scratch every single diners preference. The restaurant has prepared in advance the base ingredients like meat, and just add to it the individual customers preferences (eg hot, medium, mild amount of spices) once the order is received, and then just finish cooking the dish before serving.

That's why the 'authentic' desi restaurants catering specifically for desis have a limited choice of already cooked dishes. You order what's available.

 

[Yossarian]

In Southall/Hounslow, and East London the majority of Pakistani restaurants do not serve alcohol, but are off license which means you can bring your own alcohol.

Sure. But in quality restaurants, for example where someone is taking guests or clients out for dinner, or it's a special occasion, are not going to walk in with their own bottles and cans of alcohol in brown bags.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistani food will never have its own identity & it is not a problem. Pakistani restaurants are doing great business by calling themselves Indian.

A country & culture that doesn’t have its own identity cannot have a unique cuisine either. It goes hand in hand.

Confused nation, confused food.

 

[szrana007]

A country & culture that doesn’t have its own identity cannot have a unique cuisine either. It goes hand in hand.

Pakistan does have its own identity, its based on Islam.

You say Pakistan is a confused nation, so, were the Muslims of the Subcontinent confused when they came out in every city, in every province, gathering around Jinnah and the Muslim League leadership, in droves, stamping their vote for an independent Muslim state, even when many of them knew they would never be able to enter it?

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan does have its own identity, its based on Islam.

You say Pakistan is a confused nation, so, were the Muslims of the Subcontinent confused when they came out in every city, in every province, gathering around Jinnah and the Muslim League leadership, in droves, stamping their vote for an independent Muslim state, even when many of them knew they would never be able to enter it?

This is classic derailment from a known Pakistan hater.

Lets not go this way and discuss the food side of things.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan does have its own identity, it’s based on Islam.

Yes. That is the source of confusion. This is why we first tried to become Arabs & after they said go away, we tried to be Turks.

This confused identity led to the failure of the Two Nation Theory. It wrongly assumed that Muslims are one nation & Islam will bind them together.

The reality is that if there are sociocultural & economic differences, Islam or any religion will struggle to overcome them. This is why East Pakistan went its way.

The Two Nation Theory was right about the fact that Muslims & Hindus can coexist in peace, but it was spectacularly wrong about the assumption that Muslims & Muslims can coexist in peace.

You say Pakistan is a confused nation, so, were the Muslims of the Subcontinent confused when they came out in every city, in every province, gathering around Jinnah and the Muslim League leadership, in droves, stamping their vote for an independent Muslim state, even when many of them knew they would never be able to enter it?

Yes - they rode the wave of sensationalism & idealism preached by Muslim League, the PTI of its time. It was all rhetoric with no real substance.

Instead of focusing on the creation of one Muslim state, the subcontinent should have adopted the European model & divided itself into several small autonomous states.

This would have achieved greater harmony in the long run & would have been much better for long-term geopolitical stability of South Asia. The only thing the Two Nation Theory achieved was the creation of two enemy states that will be at loggerheads until the end of time.

 

[Kriketer]

Pakistani meat cuisines are way better than Indian meat cuisines. Only one that I like is Hyderabadi Indian and Indians veg tend to be nice (minus all the oil they use) at restaurant. I have eaten at plenty of Pakistani and Indian restaurants and hands down Pakistani karahi, korma, nihari, pai, kabobs, biryani etc been actually better, even daal has tasted better which I have been surprised about as daal should be better at Indian resturants. Its similar recipe/masala at the end.

As for this list it's a silly rating based on personal preference. I have eaten at plenty of Pakistani restaurants in North America, Gulf, Europe and they proudly advertise as Pakistani restaurant. A lot of them have Pakistani city names in their resturants and tend to be the busiest around, hence the rubbish posted by Mamoon that Pakistani food has no identity belong in the bin.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Yes. That is the source of confusion. This is why we first tried to become Arabs & after they said go away, we tried to be Turks.

This confused identity led to the failure of the Two Nation Theory.

Over decades of my life, I think have a few Balochs, Sindhis, Punjabis and Migrants from India who mostly reside in Karachi. Not sure if I ever heard any of them claiming to be Turks or Arabs.
Everyone seemed to be proud of their heritage and roots.
What world do you live in?

Yes, a few Pathans did claim to be the decedents of some lost Jewish tribe.

 

[MenInG]

This thread is about food.

Hope this clears all confusion - irrelevant or derogatory posts about any culture will be removed.

 

[NishanKonar]

That's right, because westerners have actually been brought up eating Pakistani food without realising it. Even Bengali restaurants serve the same stuff in the UK, naans, parathas, kebabs, tandoori chicken and plenty of lamb/meat salans. Only recently have we seen some South Indian veggie recipes putting their heads above the parapet, I'm sure there's a good reason why it took so long.

The chicken tikka masala served in British curry houses has nothing to do with Indian or Pakistan. It was invented by Bangladeshi migrants from Sylhet who used their own ingenuity to overcome lack of spices and ingredients to cook proper desi recipes in UK and created a very hot spicy chicken tikka masala which has no resemblance to any Indian or South Asian cuisine

Also this ranking is done by diners from 5 star restaurants like Dishoom and Yellow Chilli run by top ranked Indian chefs like SAnjeev Kapoor which serve authentic Indian cuisine ( both veg and non veg ) . Not based on ratings from low end curry houses from Bradford or East End run by poor Pakistanis or Bangladeshis !

Anyways given Pakistan's ranking is so low - can understand ur frustration and desperation to latch on to India's brand image as a coping mechanism

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The chicken tikka masala served in British curry houses has nothing to do with Indian or Pakistan. It was invented by Bangladeshi migrants from Sylhet who used their own ingenuity to overcome lack of spices and ingredients to cook proper desi recipes in UK and created a very hot spicy chicken tikka masala which has no resemblance to any Indian or South Asian cuisine

Also this ranking is done by diners from 5 star restaurants like Dishoom and Yellow Chilli run by top ranked Indian chefs like SAnjeev Kapoor which serve authentic Indian cuisine ( both veg and non veg ) . Not based on ratings from low end curry houses from Bradford or East End run by poor Pakistanis or Bangladeshis !

Anyways given Pakistan's ranking is so low - can understand ur frustration and desperation to latch on to India's brand image as a coping mechanism

Is Dishoom authentic? I figured it was sort of fusion/tapas style for a Western audience.

Also Chicken Tikka Masala was invented in Glasgow. The inventor died recently and was well known amongst Scottish Asians.

There are recent articles crediting him for the invention from the guardian and bbc.

Based on your two statements I dont think you know too much about Food man. Are you from the UK?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The chicken tikka masala served in British curry houses has nothing to do with Indian or Pakistan. It was invented by Bangladeshi migrants from Sylhet who used their own ingenuity to overcome lack of spices and ingredients to cook proper desi recipes in UK and created a very hot spicy chicken tikka masala which has no resemblance to any Indian or South Asian cuisine

Also this ranking is done by diners from 5 star restaurants like Dishoom and Yellow Chilli run by top ranked Indian chefs like SAnjeev Kapoor which serve authentic Indian cuisine ( both veg and non veg ) . Not based on ratings from low end curry houses from Bradford or East End run by poor Pakistanis or Bangladeshis !

Anyways given Pakistan's ranking is so low - can understand ur frustration and desperation to latch on to India's brand image as a coping mechanism

If you grew up with Bangladeshi kids at your school you would know that their diet was not so much chicken tikka masala, but fish and rice, produce which makes sense considering their homeland terrain.

"ur" last line is pathetic. If you can't debate reasonably then probably best just to shut up and leave it to others.

 

[NishanKonar]

Is Dishoom authentic? I figured it was sort of fusion/tapas style for a Western audience.

Also Chicken Tikka Masala was invented in Glasgow. The inventor died recently and was well known amongst Scottish Asians.

There are recent articles crediting him for the invention from the guardian and bbc.

Based on your two statements I dont think you know too much about Food man. Are you from the UK?

There are many claimants of " inventor of chicken tikka masala " but most food writers agree it was Bangladeshi sailors from Sylhet who made the dish famous in UK. Almost 90% of curry houses in UK are run by Bangladeshi migrants. I am aware of that Pakistani inventor but most food writers agree chicken tikka masala arrived in England before that. This Pakistani guy probably made the dish popular in Glasgow

Dishoom is not authentic as like Jiggs Kalra or Sanjeev Kapoor Indian restaurant in Delhi for obvious reasons. Just like MacDonalds or KFC or American outlets in India make some changes in their menus to cater to Indian audiences. Like the KFC fried chicken is lot more spicy in India than in American outlets

But point is Dishoom or Yellow Chilli is lot more authentic than the chicken tikka curry houses. They use authentic ingredients but just feel the food is little less spicy and oily than normal desi style recipes bcoz probably British folks wont like it that way. And the ranking is based on restaurants like DIshoom not the curry houses

 

[NishanKonar]

If you grew up with Bangladeshi kids at your school you would know that their diet was not so much chicken tikka masala, but fish and rice, produce which makes sense considering their homeland terrain.

"ur" last line is pathetic. If you can't debate reasonably then probably best just to shut up and leave it to others.

Thats what I am saying. Chicken tikka masala has no relation to any SOuth Asian cuisuine. It was invented by Bangladeshi migrants using whatever ingredients they got in UK. No Bangladeshi ever eats that food at home. Just like most Turkish families never eat their doner kebabs at home. Or the sushi rolls u get in Western Japanese restaurants are never eaten by Japanese at home. These dishes were invented mostly to cater to Western audiences

There are many food writers who have written about chicken tikka and how it eveolved in UK. Like may be you should read Madhur Jaffrey's books to start with

 

[DeadlyVenom]

There are many claimants of " inventor of chicken tikka masala " but most food writers agree it was Bangladeshi sailors from Sylhet who made the dish famous in UK. Almost 90% of curry houses in UK are run by Bangladeshi migrants. I am aware of that Pakistani inventor but most food writers agree chicken tikka masala arrived in England before that. This Pakistani guy probably made the dish popular in Glasgow

Dishoom is not authentic as like Jiggs Kalra or Sanjeev Kapoor Indian restaurant in Delhi for obvious reasons. Just like MacDonalds or KFC or American outlets in India make some changes in their menus to cater to Indian audiences. Like the KFC fried chicken is lot more spicy in India than in American outlets

But point is Dishoom or Yellow Chilli is lot more authentic than the chicken tikka curry houses. They use authentic ingredients but just feel the food is little less spicy and oily than normal desi style recipes bcoz probably British folks wont like it that way. And the ranking is based on restaurants like DIshoom not the curry houses

I haven't been to India before but I would assume that to the average joe from India the curry houses would be more authentic than the dishooms and yellow chilli?

If the have made these rankings based on these type of resteraunts in the UK then I can see why there is such a big difference between India and Pakistan.

Pakistanis dont have many 'mainstream' resteraunts and many of the ones we do have don't sell alcohol and don't attract as many non Pakistanis consumers.

 

[NishanKonar]

I haven't been to India before but I would assume that to the average joe from India the curry houses would be more authentic than the dishooms and yellow chilli?

If the have made these rankings based on these type of resteraunts in the UK then I can see why there is such a big difference between India and Pakistan.

Pakistanis dont have many 'mainstream' resteraunts and many of the ones we do have don't sell alcohol and don't attract as many non Pakistanis consumers.

The Average Joe from India finds the curry houses too hot and spicy. In fact Indians only eat at such curry houses for cheap food if nothing else is available. Like I used to do when I was a student in France. My lunch wud be at local curry house or doner kebab center

Your 2nd point is correct. Most Pakistani restaurants don't advertise themselves as Pakistani. Also Pakistan gets fewer tourists compared to India - so fewer people has experience of eating in Pakistan compared to India. Like many restaunrst in India now regularly features on lists like Michelin. Names like JIggs Kalra , Sanjeev Kapoor are now well know in Western tourist circles. All that haves a positive impact on rankings like this

ps : There is restaurant in Delhi which claims to be inventor of butter chicken. You find long queue of foreigners outside that outlet !

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Thats what I am saying. Chicken tikka masala has no relation to any SOuth Asian cuisuine. It was invented by Bangladeshi migrants using whatever ingredients they got in UK. No Bangladeshi ever eats that food at home. Just like most Turkish families never eat their doner kebabs at home. Or the sushi rolls u get in Western Japanese restaurants are never eaten by Japanese at home. These dishes were invented mostly to cater to Western audiences

There are many food writers who have written about chicken tikka and how it eveolved in UK. Like may be you should read Madhur Jaffrey's books to start with

I read Madhur Jaffrey's book a long time ago, or at least some of it. I distinctly remember she would describe some dishes as Muslim dishes and pretty sure she referenced Mughal influence.

 

[Kroll]

Ah chicken tikka masala - bits of chicken tikka daubed in spiced red emulsion mixed with yogurt.