The Similarities And Differences Of Pakistani And Indian Food

There has always been this ongoing debate on whether Indian food is better than Pakistani cuisine or vice versa. Well, the truth is that it is simply personal preference. There are many cultural influences that affect the dish that comes out of these countries, but really, from the surface, you may not be able to tell the differences. That's why we're here for you today!

So, if you're wondering which food to go for, let's talk about both the similarities and the differences between Pakistani and Indian cuisine:

The Similarities Between Pakistani and Indian Cuisine

1. They Are Both Extremely Spicy

Whether you're at a Pakistani or a Punjabi Indian restaurant, you'll find that the food is extremely spicy. At least a majority of the dishes that you order will be super duper spicy. The only exception, perhaps, is in North India, where the food is a bit milder than the rest of the country.

2. They Both Love Their Bread

The bread in Pakistan and India is equally delicious. It's called naan in India and phirni in Pakistan. The other types of bread that are popular in both countries include tandoori roti, chapati and soft bread rolls.

3. Both Cuisines Use A Lot Of Garlic And Onion

Onion and garlic are the two most commonly used ingredients in both Indian and Pakistani food. Both cuisines use a lot of spices, but they also use a lot of garlic and onion.

4. The Cereals Are Different

The main cereal in Pakistan is rice, and the main cereal in India is wheat. Both are common food crops and are used in a lot of different dishes in these cuisines.

The Differences Between Pakistani and Indian Cuisine

1. Pakistanis Are More Adventurous With Ingredients

Pakistanis are more adventurous with the ingredients they use in their food. They aren't afraid to use different kinds of seafood, seasonal fruits and even some ingredients that are considered exotic, like apricots.

2. Indians Use More Dairy

Dairy products are used in a lot of Indian dishes. Dairy products like yogurt, paneer and cheese are used in a variety of dishes, like raitas and kormas.

3. Pakistanis Don't Use Butter

Butter is not used at all in Pakistani cooking and is almost never found in the dishes. Instead, Pakistanis use ghee and lard. Ghee and lard are used in meat and vegetable dishes.

4. Pakistanis Use Beef, While Indians Don't

In India, eating beef is illegal, so it's not something that's commonly found in Indian food. You will not also find too many beef dishes in Indian restaurants outside of India. In Pakistan, there are many Hindu and Sikh communities, which means that beef is consumed in this country.

Conclusion

To conclude, both Pakistani and Indian food is unique and delicious. So, you can't really go wrong if you order dishes from either of these cuisines. If you had to pick one, though, why not go for Pakistani dishes? They're not as common as Indian food, so they are a great way to experience something brand-new and possibly add to your list of favorite dishes!

Karakoram Restaurant is a traditional Pakistani Restaurant with fine dining. If you are on the hunt for the best Pakistani food in Vancouver, check out our restaurant today!