Does your country have a national dish? It is rumoured the government of India is set to announce the country’s official national food — Khichdi — at an upcoming international food event. This news has caused quite a debate on social media. Why would there be the need to do something like this now? Kaichdi can be found in different parts of India all with varying recipes. However, the dish is simple and considered a staple mean in the country.
Khichdi is an interesting choice for India. Westerner’s would probably expect it to be something like butter chicken or anything with tandoori, because these are the most popular dishes associated with the country. Khichdi is a wet stew made using lentils, rice, and spices, with some regions adding meat. The dish is well-known in India itself and almost every region of the country has a different version of the dish. And yet, Twitter experienced a firestorm from angry food lovers, with many tweeting their opinion on the possibility of this dish being slated as a national dish. What this debate is showing us is that there is a significant importance between a nation’s identity and food.
Khichdi?? When we have butter chicken…. https://t.co/Kt9mRHGNHY
— Ira Dugal (@dugalira) November 1, 2017
My choices for more logical national dish instead of #Khichdi –
Dosa
Idli
Biryani
Rice plate
Tikkas— Dr Roshan R (@pythoroshan) November 1, 2017
Originating from Southern India, this dish is considered easy to make, humble, and one of the first dishes that babies can be introduced to. India’s Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, clarifies that the recognition of Khichdi is happening because it will be put on record at the World Food India event, which is set to take place in the country’s capital. Because of this event and all the attention that Khichdi is getting, this makes the dish a sort of unofficial representation of Indian food. Because of its simplicity, there will be a world record attempt to cook 800 kilos of the dish.
Do we have to stand every time we see it being eaten? Is it compulsory to eat before a movie? Is it anti-national to not like the stuff? https://t.co/MkgWEBNQlH
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 1, 2017
With all the funny tweets aside, the most interesting part about the Khichdi debate makes me wonder about what really qualifies as a national dish for some countries? A national dish is an important title because it is a country’s food-related identity, speaking to that countries culture. Not everyone is going to universally love a food and some may be more popular than others. Women’s Post decided to research some other popular ‘national dishes.’ These may or may not cause another debate.
England- Fish & Chips
China- Fried rice
Jamaica- Jerk Chicken
Italy- Pizza
Phillipines- Adobo
Guyana- Pepperpot
Chile- Empanada
Vietnam- Pho
Japan- Sushi
Canada- Poutine, Butter Tarts, Nanaimo Bars…
United States- Hamburgers, Hot Dogs,….. Apple Pie, Chicken Wings ???? Literally everything
While this list can have many additions, there were some easy picks and some much harder, every country is diverse and mixed with different cultures so deciding on one staple dish is more of a difficult choice.
Let us know in the comments below where you are from and what you consider your country’s national dish.