Non-vegetarian food in India

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Non-vegetarian food in India refers to the wide variety of meat, fish, and poultry dishes that are consumed in India. These dishes are influenced by the diverse cultures, traditions, and religions of the country.

History[edit | edit source]

The consumption of non-vegetarian food in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, where archaeological evidence suggests that meat was a part of the diet. The practice continued in various forms across different periods of Indian history.

Regional Variations[edit | edit source]

Non-vegetarian food in India varies greatly by region due to differences in climate, culture, and availability of ingredients.

North India[edit | edit source]

In North India, meat and poultry are commonly used in dishes. The Mughlai cuisine of Delhi and the Punjabi cuisine are well-known for their rich and flavorful non-vegetarian dishes.

South India[edit | edit source]

South India is known for its seafood dishes, thanks to its long coastline. The Kerala cuisine and Chettinad cuisine are famous for their spicy non-vegetarian dishes.

East India[edit | edit source]

In East India, fish is a staple food, especially in Bengali cuisine. The region is also known for its variety of sweets.

West India[edit | edit source]

West India has a diverse range of non-vegetarian food, with coastal areas like Goa and Maharashtra known for their seafood dishes.

Popular Non-Vegetarian Dishes[edit | edit source]

Some of the popular non-vegetarian dishes in India include Chicken Biryani, Mutton Rogan Josh, Fish Curry, and Prawn Balchao.

Dietary Restrictions and Preferences[edit | edit source]

Religion plays a significant role in the dietary habits of Indians. Many Hindus and Jains follow a vegetarian diet, while Muslims avoid pork and Sikhs avoid beef. However, there is a significant population in India that consumes non-vegetarian food.

See Also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD