Until recently, Middle Eastern food in India was mostly limited to shawarma counters and a few speciality restaurants. Today the cuisine is much more than that. Indian diners are increasingly embracing Middle Eastern fare, from hummus and falafel to kebabs, rice platters and grilled meats.
Food delivery platforms such as Zomato have helped to bring to the consumers cuisines they might not have tried otherwise. What began as a love for shawarma has slowly evolved into an appreciation of a broader scope of Middle Eastern flavors.
Shawarma Is Still The Entrance Dish
For a lot of Indians, shawarma is the introduction to Middle Eastern food.
Now cities are full of places where you can get thinly sliced marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in bread with vegetables and sauces. Shawarma is available in chicken, mutton and vegetarian options and offers a simple meal that is both filling and flavourful.
It’s simple and that’s why it’s popular. It is easy to eat on the go, reasonably priced and packed with flavors that appeal to Indian taste buds.
Hummus Has Left the Restaurant Menu
Hummus, once a foreign food, has steadily found its way into the mainstream.
Tahini is made mainly from chickpeas, olive oil and lemon juice. Hummus is now commonly ordered as a dip with pita bread, grilled meats or salads. Many diners love its smooth texture and versatility, others see it as a lighter alternative to heavier starters.
With the increasing popularity of global cuisines, hummus has become one of the most popular Middle Eastern delicacies in India.
Vegetarians Are Drawn to Falafel
Vegetarian consumers have helped make falafel popular. The crunchy fritters are made from ground chickpeas and herbs, and are often served in wraps, pita pockets or on larger platters. The texture and flavor combination has made them a favorite for those looking for meat-free options without sacrificing satisfaction.
Falafel also aligns with the increasing popularity of plant-based, protein-rich foods.
Winning New Fans for Rice Platters
Middle Eastern food is appealing to Indian consumers partly because of its focus on rice-based meals. Dishes such as mandi, kabsa and grilled meat platters served with fragrant rice have become popular in several cities. These dishes are usually shared with family and friends, and so are particularly conducive to meals shared by a group. The comforting familiarity of rice makes these dishes accessible to even the first-timer.
Grilled Kebabs Keep Shining
Middle East has a plethora of grilled meat dishes, many of which have found enthusiastic audiences in India.More and more restaurant menus will contain chicken kebabs, lamb skewers and mixed grill platters. The emphasis on marination and open flame cooking produces flavors many diners find rich and satisfying. These dishes are often the centrepiece of a complete meal and are often served with dips, salads and bread.
Pita Bread and Mezze Platers Make an Impression
Many diners are discovering the culture of sharing that is part of the Middle Eastern dining experience, along with the main courses. Mezze platters, featuring hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, olives and pita bread, let diners sample several dishes in one meal. These platters have become a hit with groups who want to try a variety of flavours rather than just one dish.
A Cuisine for Modern Eating Habits
One reason why Middle Eastern food is so appealing is that it is balanced. Many dishes are a blend of vegetables, legumes, grilled proteins and olive oil, which appeals to consumers who want meals that are both satisfying and diverse.To assist users in finding food that suits their tastes, Zomato has rolled out “Healthy Mode”. It leverages AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate macronutrient profiles of dishes listed on the platform and provides a Healthy Score from “Low” to “Super” based on information provided by restaurant partners.
More Than Just a Passing Food Trend
It appears that the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine in India is here to stay. The food is approachable but strange, using familiar ingredients in unexpected ways. From a shawarma grabbed on a busy workday, to a platter of grilled kebabs with friends or a bowl of hummus with warm pita bread, Middle Eastern dishes are slowly but surely making their way into our daily eating habits. With more consumers discovering global tastes on platforms like Zomato, the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine looks set to continue on the rise, adding yet another chapter to India’s ongoing food story.
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