Rice is a popular condiment used all over the world in a wide variety of ways. While in Vietnam, ‘sticky rice’ is served as a dessert, in the Philippines, it is served as the porridge. On the other hand, rice is served with chicken in a dish called Arroz Con Pollo in Spain and it is served as rice crackers (or cookies) in Japan. However, none of these dishes do justice to this condiment as biryani, a dish which is widely popular in the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East.
While every country has its own variation of this savoury dish, which uses the ingredients native to the region it is prepared in, the basics remain the same. For those of you who remain unsure, unlike pulao, biryani uses an assortment of spice along with a special gravy (or yakhni) which is prepared with mutton or chicken.
When it comes to popularity, Hyderabadi biryani is one of the most popular varieties of this palatable dish. But do you know there are other varieties of biryani that can give Hyderabadi biryani a run for its money? One of them is Afghani Biryani.
Afghani Biryani (Photo: Facebook/Unagami Takuya)
Known for its ostentatious use of dry fruits, Afghani biryani uses simple ingredients to spice up this flavourful delicacy. Cooked with either chicken or lamb (also called gosht), Afghani biryani, just like its sisters, involves cooking the meat and rice separately before combining them in the end.
It uses aromatic Basmati rice along with condiments like carrots, almonds, raisins, cardamom, pine nuts, cloves, cinnamon and cumin to create a powerful dish that not only fills your stomach but also satisfies your soul. The major difference between the chicken and lamb variation is the use of tomatoes. While the chicken variation of Aghani biryani uses tomato puree, the variation with mutton uses a combination of garlic and ginger paste to bring out the rich flavours in the dish.
The dish is extremely popular and you can find the dish in Delhi under the name of ‘Qabuli Uzbeki‘. Here are some places where you can find Afghani biryani in Delhi:
Afghani Biryani (Photo: Facebook/Hm Totakhel)
1) Afghan Darbar Restaurant
If you want to explore various delicacies in the Afghani cuisine, this is your place. More importantly, it offers Qabuli Uzbeki or the Afghani biryani at a reasonable price. The best thing is that you can also taste traditional Afghani desserts firni and sheer yakh here.
Average cost: Rs 220
Timing: 12 pm to 11 pm
Where: E-96, Lajpat Nagar 2, New Delhi
2) Mazaar
Another place you can enjoy Afghani food at a reasonable place is Mazaar. Apart from tasting the amazing Qabuli Uzbeki, you can also try other dishes like mantu (dumplings) and yakhni murgh.
Average cost: Rs 200
Timing: 12 pm to 11 pm
Where: I-78, Lajpat Nagar 2, New Delhi
Afghani Biryani (Photo: Facebook/Sami Qayum)
3) Kabul Delhi
Do you want to enjoy the flavours of Afganistan all the way in Delhi? This is one of the places you can visit. Apart from Qabuli Uzbeki, this place also offers various varieties of pulao at a decent price.
Average cost: Rs 200
Timing: 10 am to 12 am
Where: E-104, Ground Floor, Near Central Market, Lajpat Nagar 2, New Delhi
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4) Afghan Restaurant
If you happen to be living in Delhi, there is no dearth of places that offer Afghani biryani. Afghan Restaurant offers Afghani biryani with lamb. You can also taste Afghani dumplings here.
Average cost: Rs 180
Timing: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 92, Hauz Rani, Opposite Modi Hospital, Press Enclave Road, Saket, New Delhi
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Afghani Biryani (Photo: Facebook/Farha Jamal)
5) Balkh Restaurant
Another place that you can hit to get an authentic Afghani food experience is Balkh Restaurant. The place offers amazing Afghani biryani at a decent price. Top it off with firni and you are you are all set for the day.
Average cost: Rs 250
Timing: 10:30 am to 12 am
Where: G-6, Ground Floor, Lajpat Nagar 2, New Delhi
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