![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HVTW5QM54NFDBB7G2BTW24OTZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=db3905ca29f01435413151b781192bdfe379e51117813836791d3b1fe463ddc5&width=400&height=225)
Nutrient-dense khichdi with broken wheat, pearl millet, rice, lentils, quinoa, spices and vegetables. Photo: Kishi Arora
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V7MFDV73XZCVHPMYAFNPYO2RAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c1972daa5355f57632e433335836b2ac2bde93152d5a9ead09f806655ef1690&width=400&height=225)
Panta bhat is made by soaking leftover rice overnight in water, which is then served with sides such as fish, pickle, chillies and fritters. Photo: Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VQCWBN5NNJBYRLZ2EPQPGLXN2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a8e9941abb92c895920f4d7e1642a39c69e5c9afaa2105c6dab39044381c4a5&width=400&height=225)
Chicken tandoori is a healthier option when compared with the cream-heavy butter chicken. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CYXRX52JJFGFJEEBKE4ASUKGLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d896cd128eab265bf750b46183ce431e63ea9c9e34e699026909f8315a7f747a&width=400&height=225)
Moong dal chilla is a filling yet fibre-rich breakfast option. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/APXYHBHY2NCYNP6WSACU55P54I.jpg?smart=true&auth=ec416f234128f955cb9c3e099301b30c4bdd0259d57ac4493185d1814ebb01c8&width=400&height=225)
The Indian Ayurvedic dietary supplement chyavanaprasha is a cooked mixture of honey, ghee, gooseberry, jam, sesame oil, berries, herbs and various spices. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E7EIW7INU5EIFN3OVMYR2LOKAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=315e384a9a23a1dda5d85187fa596e1dfb9417480b6d28db0ca4a07cd9122fac&width=400&height=225)
A staple at most Indian tables, dal is a versatile, protein-rich dish. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CL3OWQEAFJGE3JILAJSDNK4NJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=01b6c031a5535b813a3cead184c81416f8ba2b9fd34fa933786d1038205cdcc9&width=400&height=225)
Easy-to-digest idlis are known for their low-calorie content. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RAI2SYYO2FHFBGVZHV3D4IDG5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=9882a4f922edb15b40b56905b13d61b0c17469daeb48205d7c023d6deb57cb30&width=400&height=225)
Turmeric rice makes good on the immunity-boosting Indian spice haldi. Getty Images
Superfood jaggery is one of the healthiest forms of sugar and is used to sweeten meals and desserts. Photo: Kalpana Sunder for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HVTW5QM54NFDBB7G2BTW24OTZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=db3905ca29f01435413151b781192bdfe379e51117813836791d3b1fe463ddc5&width=400&height=225)
Nutrient-dense khichdi with broken wheat, pearl millet, rice, lentils, quinoa, spices and vegetables. Photo: Kishi Arora
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V7MFDV73XZCVHPMYAFNPYO2RAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c1972daa5355f57632e433335836b2ac2bde93152d5a9ead09f806655ef1690&width=400&height=225)
Panta bhat is made by soaking leftover rice overnight in water, which is then served with sides such as fish, pickle, chillies and fritters. Photo: Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VQCWBN5NNJBYRLZ2EPQPGLXN2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a8e9941abb92c895920f4d7e1642a39c69e5c9afaa2105c6dab39044381c4a5&width=400&height=225)
Chicken tandoori is a healthier option when compared with the cream-heavy butter chicken. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CYXRX52JJFGFJEEBKE4ASUKGLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d896cd128eab265bf750b46183ce431e63ea9c9e34e699026909f8315a7f747a&width=400&height=225)
Moong dal chilla is a filling yet fibre-rich breakfast option. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/APXYHBHY2NCYNP6WSACU55P54I.jpg?smart=true&auth=ec416f234128f955cb9c3e099301b30c4bdd0259d57ac4493185d1814ebb01c8&width=400&height=225)
The Indian Ayurvedic dietary supplement chyavanaprasha is a cooked mixture of honey, ghee, gooseberry, jam, sesame oil, berries, herbs and various spices. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E7EIW7INU5EIFN3OVMYR2LOKAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=315e384a9a23a1dda5d85187fa596e1dfb9417480b6d28db0ca4a07cd9122fac&width=400&height=225)
A staple at most Indian tables, dal is a versatile, protein-rich dish. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CL3OWQEAFJGE3JILAJSDNK4NJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=01b6c031a5535b813a3cead184c81416f8ba2b9fd34fa933786d1038205cdcc9&width=400&height=225)
Easy-to-digest idlis are known for their low-calorie content. Photo: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RAI2SYYO2FHFBGVZHV3D4IDG5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=9882a4f922edb15b40b56905b13d61b0c17469daeb48205d7c023d6deb57cb30&width=400&height=225)
Turmeric rice makes good on the immunity-boosting Indian spice haldi. Getty Images
Superfood jaggery is one of the healthiest forms of sugar and is used to sweeten meals and desserts. Photo: Kalpana Sunder for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HVTW5QM54NFDBB7G2BTW24OTZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=db3905ca29f01435413151b781192bdfe379e51117813836791d3b1fe463ddc5&width=400&height=225)
Nutrient-dense khichdi with broken wheat, pearl millet, rice, lentils, quinoa, spices and vegetables. Photo: Kishi Arora
Beyond butter chicken: why is Indian food so popular?
We speak to food professionals around the globe to understand what has been catalysing an interest in the country's cuisine over the past year
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu
07 May, 2022
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