13 Dishes You Thought Were Indian That Are Actually Not Indian

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. There is no doubt that on a boring day, the right kind of food can remind us why we are alive! India is not only known for its diverse culture but also for its multitudinous cuisines. From state-wise to region-wise, we Indians have a favourite or staple for every area possible. While metropolitans have created their own versions of exotic dishes, small towns and villages still boast of their authentic dishes which are being prepared since decades and centuries. There are many food items that we relish but hardly ever bother to explore about their invention or reason for existence. While many such dishes belong to India, there are many that are a product of other countries and found their way to our country.

We bring to you such revelations, so brace yourselves, in case you were not expecting any of it:

1. Samosa

Known as ‘samsa’, they were introduced to the Indian subcontinent by various Muslim traders and merchants from Central Asia in 13th or 14th century. However, the recipe for samosa, known by various names such as sanbusak, sanbusaq and sanbusaj, have been found in Arab cookery books found from the 10th-13th century.

2. Jalebi

Jalebi was introduced to Medieval India by Persian-speaking Turkish invaders in the 15th century and was known as Kundalika and Jalavallika. Whereas, it was commonly prepared around 10th century in Iran and finds its mention in many cookbooks from the 10th and 13th century.

3. Rajma

This hot favourite dish of many owes its credit to Mexico as it came into existence only after the kidney beans were brought to the Indian subcontinent from Mexico.

4. Gulab Jamun

This mouth-watering desert loved by the nation was originally derived from a fritter that Central Asian Turkic invaders brought to India. It is believed that gulab jamun was accidentally prepared by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s personal chef.

5. Rasgulla

Contrary to most of the theories of the origin of rasgulla, it is believed that the rasgulla could have only originated after the introduction of cheese-based sweets by the Portuguese in the 17th century.

6. Vindaloo

Reminded of the Goa trips? Vindaloo, a staple in all eateries in and around Goa, was brought to India by Portuguese. The Portugal name ‘carne de vinha d’alhos’ referred to a dish of meat (usually pork) which was marinated in wine and garlic.

7. Filter Coffee

Coffee was brought from Yemen to India in the 16th century by a Muslim Sufi Saint, Baba Budan. There is an interesting story to this. As per a popular Indian lore, Baba Budan discovered the wonders of coffee while on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He smuggles 7 coffee beans out of the Yemen port of Mocha by wrapping them within his garments. He later planted those beans on the slopes of Chandragiri Hills in Kadur district in current Karnataka. Following that, he had the hill range and a tomb dedicated to him.

8. Chicken Tikka Masala

Yeah, you read that right. The origin of this dish, which is totally Punjabi by nature, dates back to a night in the year 1971 in Glasgow, Scotland. As per claims, Pakistani chef Ali Ahmed Aslam, proprietor of the Shish Mahal Restaurant in Glasgow invented chicken tikka masala by improvising a sauce made from tomato soup, yogurt, cream and spices and adding it to the chicken curry after a customer sent it back on the pretext of it being dry. The customer loved the new improved version of the same dish and chicken tikka masala was thus born.

9. Naan

Naan is Persian for ‘bread’ and it originated in ancient Iran. Naan was introduced to rest of the world during the Persian-Greek and Anglo-Afghan wars.

10. Chai

This made it to the list too! So the cuppa tea which starts your mornings owes its existence to China. Tea originated in Southwest China as a medicinal drink and was later popularised as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang Dynasty. By the 16th century, tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries and Europe. Thereafter, plantation of tea was commercialised and cultivated/produced on a large scale in India by the 17th century.

11. Bandel Cheese

For those who are not familiar with this Bengali food item, Bandel Cheese is a salted soft variety of cheese, similar to Surti paneer but made from cow’s milk. However, Bandel cheese is not a product of West Bengal or even India; even though it originated in Bandel in the eastern part of India. It was brought to India by the Portuguese and found a home here.

12. Shukto

This Bengali delicacy, also bears the same story as Bandel cheese, as it found itself being a part of the Bengali cuisine only after being introduced by the Portuguese.

13. Maggi

A must-have in almost all households in India for that sudden kind of hunger, Maggi is popular for its unique taste. However, not many of us know that this flavourful food item originated in Switzerland in the late 19th century and acquired by Nestle in 1947.

Most of these dishes are so popular in India they feel Indian to the core of their existence. Its like we have come to understand that they are Indian, by default. Now you know the true stories of their journey and introduction to India. After all, we gave you some valuable *pun alert* food for thought!

Also read: 29 Recipes From 29 States Of India Which Prove Why Indian Foods Are Most Diverse In The World