Popular Indian Foods that aren’t Indian!
Your favourite Indian foods aren’t Indian!
1. Gulab Jamun - It actually originated in Persia and was known as “luqmat al qadi.” Then Turkic People brought to India, creating the word "gulab" from the Persian words gol (flower) and āb (water). BTW, Naan is from Persia, too.
2. Idli - While people in Saurashtra & South India did have their own primary versions of the fermented dish, the modern version was actually invented in Indonesia by kings of Indian origin, who called it “Kedli” or “Kedari.” When they visited India for marriage or business, they brought it here.
3. Rajma Chawal - Kidney beans actually came about in Mexico and Guatemala. Spanish and Portuguese traders introduced it to other parts of the world, including Africa and Asia. Since North India & Pakistan’s climates were suited to growing it, rajma became a Punjabi staple!
4. Daal Rice - You ever just enjoy mummy’s daal bhaat? That’s a combination we get from Nepal, just like our momos!
5. Samosa & Jalebi - Samosa comes from the Middle East, where it was called ‘sanbusak,’ derived from the Persian word, “Sanbosag.” Its popularity in India was fuelled by the royal Mughal Kings who ruled the country at one point. Jalebi originated in the Middle East, too!
6. Chai - As much as we love our morning cup of tea, we owe it to our neighbours China. It was the British who brought it to us & we fell in love at first sight!
7. Chicken Tikka Masala - One popular version of this dish’s origins is that when a customer in Glasglow, Scotland complained that their Chicken Tikka was too dry, the chef added some masala gravy to it & which eventually became popular in the UK, eventually finding its way to us!