Not long ago, getting Asian food was a special thing, something to treat yourself to on weekends or when you went out. Many Asian dishes are now part of the regular food choices of Indian consumers. Flavours from all across Asia, from noodles and fried rice to dim sums and sushi, have slowly made their way into Indian homes.
A big reason why this is becoming more popular is accessibility. Food delivery platforms like Zomato have made it easy for people to explore news cuisines. What started as a curiosity about international flavors has now become a regul of online orders.
Hakka Noodles: The Everlasting Favourite
Hakka noodles is one Asian dish that has really become a household staple in India.
Hakka noodles are available from street-side stalls to premium restaurants and are a combination of vegetables, sauces and noodles in a format that appeals to diners of all ages. It is still one of the most popular Asian dishes, with vegetarian, chicken, egg and seafood varieties.
Part of its success is its familiarity. The flavours are versatile and many restaurants have adapted the dish to suit Indian tastes without losing its Asian roots.
Fried Rice Still Winning Hearts
Fried rice, like noodles, has been a reliable comfort food for many Indians.
Whether eaten with chilli chicken, Manchurian, stir-fried vegetables or just on its own, fried rice is a filling and satisfying meal. It’s also a very customizable dish, which makes it a great choice for families with different tastes.
Momos Are No Longer Just Street Food
In the last decade, momos have graduated from a regional snack to a national favourite.
Now steamed, fried, or pan-fried, there are countless varieties of these dumplings. While vegetable and chicken momos are still popular, restaurants have come up with fillings as varied as paneer and mushrooms to spicy tandoori-style momos.
Moments’ ease, low-cost and snack-friendly attributes have made momos one of the most loved Asian food items in India.
Dim Sums Make Restaurant-Quality Dining Easy at Home
Dim sums are often confused with momos and are a sort of bite-sized dish that is enjoyed across several East Asian cuisines.
Today, many consumers are branching out into dim sum platters of dumplings, buns, and rolls. With the advent of premium Asian restaurants on food delivery platforms, these dishes have become accessible to a broader audience who want to try something beyond everyday comfort food.
The Increasing Popularity of Sushi
A few years ago, sushi was a niche dish confined to a few metropolitan restaurants. That perspective is changing today.
Sushi is still a far cry from noodles or fried rice in ubiquity but has found a loyal following among diners curious about Japanese food. Vegetarian sushi rolls, avocado-based choices and cooked seafood options have made the dish more accessible for first-time customers.
Thai Curries and Rice Bowls On The Rise
Asian food is not only Chinese and Japanese. Rapidly increasing demand for Thai dishes especially Thai Green Curry and Thai Red Curry among Indian consumers.
These curries are served with jasmine rice and are a welcome combination of spice, sweetness and creaminess that many diners like. The rise in their popularity indicates a wider consumer openness to try flavors from different parts of Asia.
Food Discovery Plays a Role
One reason that Asian food is becoming more popular is that consumers can easily find new dishes. This has made exploration less scary. Food delivery platforms allows users to try something different without committing to a visit to a restaurant.
Zomato has also launched features including “Healthy Mode” that assist users in finding dishes based on nutritional information. The company has developed macronutrient profiles for menu items using AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) and assigns a Healthy Score ranging from “Low” to “Super” based on data provided by restaurant partners.
More Than a Fad
What sets Asian cuisine apart is its versatility. Depending on the dish, it can be light, indulgent, comforting or adventurous. That agility has helped it work its way from restaurant menus into the everyday.
Asian food has become an accepted part of the Indian food landscape – be it a late-night order of Hakka noodles, a plate of momos shared with friends, a bowl of Thai curry on a rainy evening or sushi for a special occasion.
And judging by the growing range of options on Zomato, that appetite for Asian flavours is only going to increase.
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