As the world celebrates World Food Day on October 16, 2025, with the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” it’s an opportune moment to recognize how Indian cuisine has emerged as a formidable force on the international culinary landscape. From street food staples to sophisticated restaurant fare, Indian dishes have transcended geographical boundaries to become beloved favorites across continents.
India’s Rising Culinary Prestige
Indian cuisine has earned impressive recognition in global food rankings. According to TasteAtlas’s 2024-25 rankings, Indian cuisine secured the 12th position among the world’s best cuisines, with iconic dishes like Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken) ranking 29th and Hyderabadi Biryani at 31st globally. This achievement reflects not just the quality of Indian food, but its universal appeal and the growing appreciation for its complex flavor profiles worldwide.
The impact extends beyond individual dishes. Mumbai has ascended to the 5th position in TasteAtlas’s Global Best Food Cities list for 2024-25, while Punjab has been ranked as the 7th Best Food Region in the world. Indian restaurants are experiencing a 25 percent growth globally over the past five years, outpacing the overall restaurant industry’s expansion.
Butter Chicken: The Global Ambassador
Perhaps no dish exemplifies Indian cuisine’s international success better than butter chicken. Born in undivided India around the 1920s and popularized at Delhi’s Moti Mahal restaurant after Partition, this creamy, tomato-based curry has become a global phenomenon. The dish was created when the British wanted to eat Indian food but found traditional preparations too spicy, leading to the development of this milder, cream-based version.
Today, butter chicken appears in surprising variations worldwide—from butter chicken pizza to butter chicken croissants in New Zealand, and butter chicken patties at McDonald’s in Auckland. By 2009, Brits were consuming 25 million portions of chicken tikka masala (butter chicken’s cousin) annually, employing 65,000 people in its preparation and service. In Canada, butter chicken has become the most beloved Indian dish, while the USA continues to be a major market for this creamy delicacy.
Biryani’s International Reign
Hyderabadi biryani stands out as India’s most famous biryani globally, with its unmatched combination of bold flavors, vibrant aroma, and meticulous preparation. The dish has gained recognition at international food festivals and competitions, with its rich, layered taste and eye-catching presentation making it a star attraction.
The global biryani industry is witnessing remarkable growth, with brands like Behrouz Biryani successfully establishing presence in regions like the UAE and UK. The dish’s popularity spans from Middle Eastern countries where biryani has seamlessly blended with local flavors, to Western nations where it’s becoming a sought-after comfort food.
Street Food Goes Global
Indian street food is experiencing an international renaissance. Vada pav, Mumbai’s iconic street snack, was ranked 19th among the ‘Best Sandwiches In The World’ by TasteAtlas. More than two million of these crispy sandwiches are consumed in Mumbai every single day, and now they’re finding fans globally, with entrepreneur Dheeraj Gupta franchising the concept as “the Indian burger”.
Samosa, though not originally Indian (it arrived from the Middle East in the 13th-14th century), has become synonymous with Indian cuisine worldwide. Its triangular shape and spiced potato filling have made it a beloved snack across continents, with famous joints like Guru Kripa in Mumbai and Manohar Sweets in Amritsar attracting international attention.
From zesty chaats to crispy samosas and colorful dosas, Indian street food is taking on exciting new forms globally. In the United Kingdom, you’ll find samosa burgers and tikka wraps; in the United States, dosa tacos and pav sliders blend Indian and American flavors; while Australia and Canada feature Indian street food in weekend markets and pop-up eateries with vegan and gluten-free options.
South Indian Delights Making Waves
Masala dosa has earned remarkable international recognition, ranking 12th on TasteAtlas’s list of “Best Pancakes In The World,” while regular dosa secured the 10th position. The Huffington Post even included masala dosa in its list of “10 foods to try before you die”. This golden-brown, crispy crepe filled with spiced potatoes has found fans from London restaurants to California food trucks.
The dish’s popularity extends beyond India’s borders, with many international restaurants now including it in their menus. From a regional South Indian specialty originating in Karnataka’s Udupi region, masala dosa has evolved into a global phenomenon featured in food festivals and recognized by UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage considerations.
Tandoori Traditions Captivate the World
Tandoori chicken has earned the 19th spot on TasteAtlas’s list of the world’s best grilled chicken dishes. Originating from Persian nomadic cooking traditions and perfected in Punjab, this dish gained international prominence when India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru served it at official banquets.
The dish’s global journey began in the 1960s when it started appearing on American menus, and by 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy was eating “chicken tandoori” on a flight from Rome to Bombay. Today, the tandoor oven has gained popularity in Europe and the United States, with Western chefs recognizing the magic of charcoal-fired tandoori cooking in adding unique smoky flavors.
The Tikka Masala Phenomenon
Chicken tikka masala has achieved legendary status, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it’s considered the country’s unofficial national dish. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook in 2001 hailed it as “a true British national dish” and “a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences”.
According to a 2012 survey, chicken tikka masala was Britain’s second-most popular foreign dish to cook. While the exact origins are debated—with popular stories suggesting a chef created the tomato-based sauce on the spot when a diner requested “gravy”—the dish represents a successful fusion of Indian cooking techniques with British palate preferences.
The vegetarian variant, paneer tikka and paneer tikka masala, has also gained immense popularity in the UK and globally. International fast-food chains have incorporated paneer tikka into their menus, with Pizza Hut and Domino’s offering paneer tikka toppings, while Subway serves paneer tikka sandwiches and McDonald’s features paneer tikka wraps.
Indian Breads Winning Hearts
Indian flatbreads have achieved remarkable global recognition. Garlic naan was ranked as the best bread in the world by TasteAtlas with a rating of 4.7, surpassing international varieties. This soft, buttery flatbread topped with garlic has become a staple in Indian restaurants worldwide and is even used creatively—as a base for naan tacos in the UK and US, or served with cheese and honey as dessert in Japan and South Korea.
Amritsari kulcha secured the second position in the same ranking, while parotta claimed sixth place. The success of these breads reflects the growing global influence of Indian culinary traditions, with naan now available in supermarkets worldwide and fusion cuisine introducing dishes like naan pizza and naan tacos.
Spices: India’s Aromatic Export
India, known as the ‘Land of Spices,’ contributes over 40 percent to global spice production and remains the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. The Indian spice industry was valued at INR 2,00,643.7 Crores in 2024 and is expected to more than double to INR 5,13,253.9 Crores by 2033.
India’s spice exports reached a record high of USD 4.46 billion in 2023-24, with spices exported to over 200 destinations worldwide. Chilli emerged as the leading spice export with USD 1,508.94 million, followed by cumin at USD 700.23 million and turmeric ranking among the top exports.
Turmeric has gained particular attention globally for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, with the turmeric market value projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.1% from 2020 to 2028. Cumin is essential in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mexican cooking, while cardamom’s sweet, floral aroma makes it popular in specialty teas and coffee blends worldwide.
The major export destinations include the USA, UK, China, UAE, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Germany. American consumers particularly favor turmeric, cumin, and chilli powder for wellness products and ethnic cuisine preparations.
Chai’s Global Journey
Masala chai has evolved from a traditional Indian beverage to a global phenomenon. The global chai tea market was valued at USD 5.18 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 8.79 billion by 2033, with a steady growth rate of 6.05 percent annually. In the United States alone, retail sales exceeded $1 billion in 2021.
The rise of specialty coffee and tea shops in the 1990s and early 2000s played a crucial role in chai’s global popularity. Major chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts now offer chai lattes—a creamy, slightly sweet adaptation of traditional masala chai. In the Middle East, “Karak Chai” made with strong black tea, condensed milk, and cardamom has become a cultural staple in countries like the UAE and Qatar.
Health-conscious consumers in the West have embraced chai for its ayurvedic benefits, with the spices known to aid digestion, boost immunity, and improve overall well-being. Social media platforms have further accelerated chai’s popularity, with food bloggers and influencers sharing preparation methods and variations.
The Fusion Revolution
Indian cuisine’s versatility is evident in the growing trend of fusion cuisine, where chefs creatively blend Indian spices and ingredients with global culinary traditions. Spices like cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, turmeric, and coriander—once considered exclusive to Indian cooking—are now staples in many international dishes.
Modern Indian restaurants are making waves globally by reimagining traditional recipes to suit contemporary tastes while maintaining authentic flavors. This fusion approach has allowed Indian cuisine to reach wider audiences, with innovative creations like masala fries, butter chicken tacos, and dosa pizzas bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.
The Vegetarian Advantage
The rise of plant-based diets has significantly contributed to Indian cuisine’s global popularity. Indian dishes are naturally vegetarian or vegan, offering extensive options that appeal to health-conscious diners worldwide. The diversity of vegetarian dishes—from paneer preparations to lentil-based curries and vegetable biryanis—ensures there’s something for every palate.
This vegetarian heritage positions Indian cuisine at the forefront of the global movement toward sustainable and plant-based eating, aligning perfectly with contemporary dietary preferences and environmental concerns.
As World Food Day 2025 emphasizes the need for sustainable food systems and global collaboration, Indian cuisine stands as a testament to how traditional culinary practices can achieve worldwide recognition while maintaining authenticity. With record food grain production increases of about 90 million metric tonnes over the last decade and ranking first globally in milk and millet production, India continues to strengthen its position as a global food leader.
The growing presence of Indian restaurants in major cities worldwide, the influence of Indian chefs on international platforms, and the continuous innovation in presenting traditional dishes to global audiences ensure that Indian flavors will continue to captivate taste buds across continents. From the aromatic warmth of turmeric to the comforting taste of butter chicken, Indian food products have earned a permanent place in kitchens worldwide—a true celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage on the global stage.
