Indian and Pakistani Cuisine

Indian cuisine (from Wikipedia): Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many traditional Indian dishes also include chicken, goat, lamb, fish, and other meats. Beef is not eaten by most Hindus, while ham and pork are not consumed by Muslims.

North Indian cuisine


A traditional North Indian thali.

Traditionally, food is often eaten without cutlery, using instead the fingers of the right hand. However, these traditional ways of dining are losing popularity as modernization has modified these customs. Silverware and Western-style seating arrangements are becoming the norm in urban areas of India.

Traditional serving styles vary from region to region in India. A universal aspect of presentation is the thali, a large plate with samplings of different regional dishes accompanied by raita, breads such as naan, puri, or roti, and rice. In South India, a cleaned banana leaf is often placed under the food as decoration and as a hygienic and portable alternative to plates.


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The Passage To India restaurant and buffet in Philadelphia, PA offers North Indian cuisine.

South Indian cuisine


The South Indian staple breakfast item of idly, sambhar and vada served on a banana leaf.

South Indian cuisine is distinguished by a greater emphasis on rice as the staple grain, the liberal use of coconut and particularly coconut oil and curry leaves, and the ubiquity of sambar and rasam.

As opposed to North Indian cuisine, there is limited use of garam masala and other dried spices except cardomom, black pepper and turmeric.


Lunch from Karnataka served on a plantain leaf


North Karnataka meal

Udupi cuisine

Udupi cuisine (from South India) comprises dishes made primarily from grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Udupi cuisine includes an entire school of South Indian vegetarian cuisine. It adheres strictly to the vedic tradition of Indian vegetarian cuisine, using no onions or garlic, as well as no meat, fish, or shellfish.


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The buffet menu of Udibi Cafe in Parma, Ohio offers some staples of Udupi cuisine, price is $ 9.95 per person.

Cuisine of Pakistan

Pakistani cuisine is often spicy and also known for its richness. It is a distinct blend of foods from India with minor influences from the Middle East. Pakistan's food is akin to that of North India's.

The main course is served with wheat bread (naan) or rice. Salad generally is taken with the main course rather than before. Assorted fresh fruit or desserts are consumed at the end.

Meat (including Beef) plays a more dominant role in Pakistani food, compared to other South Asian cuisines. According to a 2003 report, an average Pakistani consumed three times more meat than an average Indian.

Text and images from Wikipedia.