India’s Culinary Icons: 4 Dishes Among TasteAtlas 100 Best Dishes in The World (2025)

India’s culinary heritage is vast, diverse, and deeply rooted in tradition. In 2025, TasteAtlas — a global food authority known for ranking dishes based on authentic taste and cultural impact — released its list of the 100 Best Dishes in the World. Among the thousands of contenders, four Indian dishes proudly made the cut: Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken), Hyderabadi Biryani, Chicken 65, and Keema. Each dish represents a unique facet of India’s gastronomic story, blending history, flavor, and cultural identity

1. Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)

Origin: Delhi
Iconic Restaurants: Karim’s, Moti Mahal, Gulati

Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is arguably India’s most famous culinary export. Born in Delhi’s Moti Mahal in the mid-20th century, this dish was a happy accident — leftover tandoori chicken simmered in a rich tomato-butter-cream sauce. Today, it is a global comfort food, celebrated for its velvety texture and balanced spice profile.

• Flavor Profile: Mildly spiced, creamy, and tangy.

• Pairings: Best enjoyed with naan, garlic butter roti, or fragrant basmati rice.

• Global Appeal: Its adaptability makes it a favorite in Indian restaurants worldwide, often serving as the gateway dish for those new to Indian cuisine.

2. Hyderabadi Biryani

Origin: Hyderabad
Iconic Restaurants: Jewel of Nizam, Bawarchi, Hotel Shadab

Hyderabadi Biryani is more than a dish—it’s an emotion for millions. Rooted in Mughal and Persian influences, perfected by the Nizams of Hyderabad, this layered rice delicacy combines fragrant basmati rice, saffron, caramelized onions, and marinated meat (often goat or chicken).

• Cooking Technique: Dum style—slow cooking in sealed pots to lock in aroma.

• Flavor Profile: Aromatic, spicy, and deeply satisfying.

• Cultural Significance: Served at weddings, festivals, and family gatherings, it symbolizes celebration and abundance.

3. Shahi Paneer

Origin: Mughal kitchens, North India
Iconic Spots: Karim’s (Delhi), Kake Da Hotel (Delhi), Bharawan Da Dhaba (Amritsar)

Shahi Paneer is a vegetarian jewel of Mughal cuisine. “Shahi” means royal, and this dish lives up to its name with paneer cubes simmered in a rich gravy of cream, tomatoes, and cashews.

• Flavor Profile: Creamy, mildly spiced, and luxurious.

• Pairings: Best with naan or jeera rice.

• Cultural Significance: A festive dish, often served at weddings and banquets.

Its presence in the global top 100 proves that vegetarian Indian cuisine can be just as indulgent and world-class as meat-based dishes.

4. Amritsari Kulcha

Origin: Amritsar, Punjab
Iconic Spots: Kulcha Land (Amritsar), Bharawan Da Dhaba (Amritsar), Haveli (Jalandhar)

Amritsari Kulcha is Punjab’s answer to comfort food. This stuffed flatbread, typically filled with spiced potatoes, onions, or paneer, is baked in a tandoor until crisp and golden.

• Flavor Profile: Crispy outside, soft inside, with a spicy filling.

• Serving Style: Traditionally paired with chole (chickpea curry) and a dollop of butter.

• Street Appeal: A staple of Amritsar’s food culture, drawing locals and tourists alike.

Why These Dishes Matter Globally

Together, these four dishes showcase India’s culinary diversity:

• Regional Spread: Delhi, Hyderabad, Amritsar, and Mughal kitchens.

• Balance of Tradition: Mughal luxury (Shahi Paneer), Nizami sophistication (Biryani), Punjabi street culture (Kulcha), and modern global comfort (Butter Chicken).

• Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian Harmony: Paneer and Kulcha balance the meat-heavy Butter Chicken and Biryani.

They highlight India’s ability to blend history, flavor, and accessibility, making its cuisine resonate across continents.

India’s presence in TasteAtlas’s Top 100 Dishes of 2025 is a proud moment. Murgh Makhani, Hyderabadi Biryani, Shahi Paneer, and Amritsari Kulcha are more than recipes, they are cultural ambassadors. They tell stories of innovation, tradition, and flavor that connect India to the world.

As Indian cuisine continues to influence global gastronomy, these dishes remind us that food is heritage, identity, and celebration.