A Diverse Dish That Unites Us All – Biryani!

Biryani, the signature dish of India, needs no introduction. If there is one dish that unites Indians, then without a doubt, its biryani. The aromatic long-grained basmati rice, the tenderly spice-infused meat or chicken, the charred potatoes, the caramelized onions, and a thick coat of dried fruits accompanied by a curry or mildly sour yoghurt can make anyone’s mouth water. Here’s a list of some delicious varieties of biryani across India. How many have you tried?

1. Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi biryani is undoubtedly the emperor of all biryanis. It is uniquely made in a slow cooking process where the meat and vegetables are marinated overnight and then cooked in a sealed earthen pot. You get many varieties like the Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani, or the mutton biryani. It is not a spicy biryani, but it is loaded with flavour. Definitely a must-try when visiting Hyderabad

2.Lucknowi Biryani

For Lucknowi biryani, both meat and rice are cooked separately and then layered in a handi with the addition of spices. It is slowly cooked for hours so that the flavours of all spices are absorbed. A not so spicy biryani, the Lucknowi biryani is an altogether different experience for the seasoned biriyani lover.

3. Calcutta Biryani

Calcutta biryani has a mild sweet taste and delicate flavour. Potato, boiled eggs and juicy meat are marinated in yoghurt and light spices lending the biryani an appetizing aroma. Most people find it unusual putting potatoes in biryani, but that’s what makes the Calcutta biryani so unique.

4. Bombay Biryani

Use of kewra water and dried plums in addition to fried meat and potatoes, make the Bombay Biriyani a somewhat standout dish. The biriyani can be made using chicken, lamb, mutton or vegetables, and is layers of basmati rice cooked with spices. In Mumbai, biryani is more gravy-like unlike other parts of India.

5. Thalassery Biryani

A distinctive rice variety – Khyma is used to make Thalassery biryani which is popular in Kerala. Malabar spices, fennel seeds, meat and dry fruits are sautéed in ghee which is mixed with rice only at the time of serving. The people of Kerala swear that this is the king of all biryanis in India. We agree, it surely is very underrated!

6. Ambur Biryani

Coming from Tamil Nadu, Ambur biryani is made with Seeraga Samba rice – a special biryani rice – with the addition of curd-marinated meat, whole spices and coconut milk. It is accompanied with brinjal curry and raita. Biryani fact: The town of Ambur has set the world record for most number of biryani shops per sq.km.

7. Bhatkali Biryani

Cooked in an onion and green chilli-based gravy, layered with rice and topped with mashed garlic, onions and curry leaves, Bhatkali biryani is cooked without the use of oil or ghee so the biryani flavour is distinct and different. It is popular in coastal Karnataka.

8. Memoni Biryani

Biryani in Kutch region of Gujarat is made with lamb, potato, fried onion, and curd. Memoni biryani is an extremely spicy biryani and does not involve the use of food colouring allowing the ingredients to manifest their natural colour.

9. Dindigul Biryani

Popular in Chennai, Dindigul biryani is made by mixing Seeraga Samba rice with cube-sized meat pieces along with a lot of curd and lemon giving it a sour and tangy flavour. The biryani taste is very flavourful , and over the years Dindigul biryani has reached great commercial success due to its amazing flavour

10. Sindhi Biryani

Originating in Pakistan, Sindhi biryani derives its peculiar taste by addition of herbs like finely chopped chillies, coriander and mint, along with roasted nuts, plums, potatoes and spices.

11. Beary Biryani

Arising from North Karnataka region, Beary biryani is a not so spicy biryani. For its preparation, rice and local spices are flavoured with ghee and kept overnight for flavours to seep in.

12. Mughlai Biryani

Popularized by Nawabs, Mughlai biryani uses lots of green chilli, ghee, spiced meat chunks and deep-fried onions mixed with kewra scented rice which is served with almond paste.

13. Kachchi Biryani

Kachchi biryani is made by decking raw marinated chicken and uncooked rice in multiple layers which are then cooked at a low flame in a sealed handi.

14. Kalyani Biryani

Also known as ‘poor man’s’ biryani, Kalyani biryani is made from small chunks of buffalo meat cooked in a style similar to Hyderabadi biryani.

15. Kashmiri Biryani

Asafoetida, fennel powder, dry ginger and Kashmiri whole spices are the important ingredients of Kashmiri biryani giving it a pungent flavour and a mix of sweet and spicy taste.

Jackfruit Biryani

An exquisite culinary experience of Sterling, the Jackfruit Biryani is a treat inside an actual Jackfruit!
See for yourself!

From foodies to non-foodies, people swear by Biryani being their one true love. Delicate meat, aromatic rice and flavourful spices served as a steaming hot plate of biryani is every food lover’s ultimate binge eat. Set off to any of these regions in India to taste their characteristic and scrumptious biryani.