{"name":"Biryani","native_name":null,"also_known_as":["biriyani","biryani rice","biryani pilaf","nasi briyani","danpauk"],"slug":"biryani","region":"Asia","countries":[{"name":"India","code":"IN","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/india"},{"name":"Bangladesh","code":"BD","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/bangladesh"},{"name":"Indonesia","code":"ID","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/indonesia"},{"name":"Malaysia","code":"MY","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/malaysia"},{"name":"Myanmar","code":"MM","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/myanmar"},{"name":"Singapore","code":"SG","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/countries/singapore"}],"cities":[],"kinds":["Main dish","Rice dish"],"meals":["Lunch","Dinner"],"occasions":["Everyday food","Festival food","Wedding and feast food","Sacred food and offerings"],"faiths":["Muslim"],"diet":"Varies","served":"hot","main_ingredients":[{"name":"rice","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/rice"},{"name":"meat","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/meat"},{"name":"spice","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/spice"},{"name":"yoghurt","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/yoghurt"},{"name":"seafood","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/seafood"},{"name":"vegetable","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/vegetable"},{"name":"egg","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/egg"},{"name":"ghee","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/ingredients/ghee"}],"food_days":[],"known_for":["layered","slow cooked","festival","wedding","deeply spiced"],"tagline":"Rice and spiced meat or vegetables layered and cooked together","summary":"Biryani is a layered rice dish from South Asia, made by cooking spiced meat, seafood, or vegetables with rice. It blends Persian techniques like yoghurt-marinated meat and slow cooking with Indian spices. Biryani is central to celebrations and daily meals, and is especially popular in India, Bangladesh, and among South Asian communities worldwide.","key_facts":["Biryani is the most-ordered dish on Indian food delivery platforms","It is a centrepiece at weddings and festivals in South Asia","Both meat and vegetarian versions are common","The dish blends Persian and Indian cooking traditions","Regional biryanis use local ingredients, like potatoes in Kolkata"],"sections":{"what_it_is":"Biryani is a dish where rice is cooked with meat, seafood, or vegetables, and a blend of spices. The rice and the main ingredient are often layered, sometimes with eggs or potatoes, and cooked together so the flavours meld. Spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron may be used, along with yoghurt, ghee (clarified butter), and herbs. The result is a fragrant, colourful rice dish, sometimes garnished with fried onions, nuts, or dried fruit. Biryani can be rich and spicy, with each region adding its own touches.","origin_and_history":"Biryani’s roots are linked to the Mughal Empire in India, where Persian cooking methods met Indian spices. Some historians believe it developed in the Mughal court kitchens, while others suggest it came to South India from Persia before the Mughal era. The word 'biryani' comes from Persian, meaning 'to fry' or 'to roast'. Historical texts from the Mughal period mention biryani as a dish of spiced meat, sometimes with rice. Over time, biryani spread across South Asia and beyond, evolving with local tastes and ingredients.","how_it_is_made":"There are two main ways to prepare biryani: pakki (cooked) and kacchi (raw). In pakki biryani, the meat or vegetables and rice are cooked separately, then layered and finished together. In kacchi biryani, raw marinated meat is layered with rice and cooked slowly in a sealed pot, so everything steams together. Spices, yoghurt, and sometimes saffron or rose water are added for aroma and colour. The dish is often finished with a layer of fried onions or nuts.","how_it_is_eaten":"Biryani is usually eaten for lunch or dinner, often as the main dish at family gatherings, weddings, or festivals. It is served hot, often with side dishes like raita (yoghurt with cucumber or tomato), salad, or curried vegetables. In some regions, boiled eggs or potatoes are added. Biryani is popular with people of all backgrounds in South Asia and is a centrepiece at many celebrations, especially among Muslim communities during religious festivals.","variations":"Many regional versions of biryani exist. Hyderabadi biryani is famous for its use of kacchi technique and strong spices. Kolkata biryani often includes potatoes. In Bangladesh, kacchi biryani with mutton is a wedding staple. Southeast Asian versions, like nasi briyani in Malaysia and Singapore, may use local spices or pandan leaf. Vegetarian biryanis use paneer or vegetables instead of meat. Each version reflects local tastes and ingredients.","culture":"Biryani is central to celebrations across South Asia, especially weddings and religious festivals like Bakr Eid. It is widely enjoyed by all communities, though it has special significance among Muslims. Biryani festivals are held in cities across India, Pakistan, and the diaspora. In Bangladesh, it has largely replaced other festive rice dishes at weddings. Biryani is also the most-ordered dish on Indian food delivery services, showing its everyday popularity."},"faq":[{"a":"Biryani is made from rice layered with spiced meat, seafood, or vegetables, along with yoghurt, ghee, and a mix of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Some versions include eggs or potatoes.","q":"What is biryani made of?"},{"a":"Biryani developed in South Asia, especially in the Mughal court kitchens of India, blending Persian and Indian cooking methods. Its exact origin is debated, but it is now popular across India, Bangladesh, and beyond.","q":"Where does biryani come from?"},{"a":"No, biryani can be made with meat, seafood, or vegetables. Vegetarian versions use ingredients like paneer or mixed vegetables, and eggs or potatoes are sometimes added.","q":"Is biryani always made with meat?"},{"a":"Biryani is usually layered and has stronger spices, while pilau is often a simpler, one-pot rice dish. Biryani is typically the main dish, while pilau is more often a side.","q":"How is biryani different from pilau?"},{"a":"Biryani is eaten for lunch or dinner, and is especially common at weddings, festivals, and religious celebrations like Bakr Eid. It is also enjoyed as an everyday meal.","q":"When is biryani eaten?"}],"sources":[{"title":"Biryani on Wikipedia","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biryani"},{"title":"The curious case of potato in Kolkata biryani and how the British fed us a lie","url":"https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/the-curious-case-of-potato-in-kolkata-biriyani-and-how-the-british-fed-us-a-lie/story-k1smJjNz1QhxyyVZVdNyKN.html"},{"title":"A Beginner's Guide to Biryani, the Ultimate Rice Dish","url":"https://www.saveur.com/south-asian-indian-biryani-guide"},{"title":"Nasi Biryani","url":"https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022901-nasi-biryani"},{"title":"From Iran to India: The journey and evolution of biriyani","url":"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36423412"},{"title":"More photos on Wikimedia Commons","url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Biryani"},{"title":"Wikidata record","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271555"}],"photo":{"url":"https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Biryani_Home.jpg/1280px-Biryani_Home.jpg","author":"Shyamveer.singh1982","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","source":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biryani_Home.jpg"},"attribution":{"based_on":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biryani","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"},"last_refreshed":"2026-10-03T10:08:01.926Z","url":"https://thali.cleartrust.cc/d/biryani","note":"Dish pages take their facts from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata, rewritten in Thali's own words with AI assistance; they may contain mistakes. Cite the url and keep the attribution.","published_by":"Thali, a ClearTrust publication"}