Introduction
It is possible to say that food is a reflection of a country’s identity. National recipes evolve alongside their respective cultures, transforming and adapting to new realities and changing tastes. India is known for its variety of exotic dishes filled with flavor and spices that many people outside of the country have not ever tasted. However, they are subject to change just as other aspects of this culture. I would like to invite you to explore the world of modern Indian cuisine.
Modern Indian Cuisine
Indian chefs are known for being creative not only in their ingredients but also in the way they prepare their dishes. Young crowds prefer to enjoy “rebooted” versions of old dishes prepared with new, sometimes borrowed techniques (Goh, 2019). Due to this mix of cultures, one may find many different takes on a single traditional dish, although it might be met with contempt from the local population.
Indian cuisine did not avoid the effects of globalization and its changes. Instead of a single national cookbook, Indian chefs recognize that there are more regional variants of each dish rather than a widely accepted one (Banerjee-Dube, 2018). However, the concept of regional authenticity is eroded, leading to more unified dish recipes (Banerjee-Dube, 2018). Food may look similar in different locations, especially ones that are popular among tourists.
There is an idea that this “modernization” might be detrimental to the country’s identity. Many locals call restaurants that put a modern take on traditional dishes pretentious and accuse them of stripping them of flavor in favor of less inventive combinations (Overdorf, 2019). It may be challenging for Indians to find a fine dining location that will suit their tastes in tourist-filled cities, yet small-town eateries remain primarily untouched.
Conclusion
In conclusion, modern Indian dishes may become more simplified in their variety, yet they still possess exotic flavors that give them a unique identity and authenticity. There are many varieties of each dish still, although they are being eroded in favor of more widely accepted recipes. Tourism and globalization have an impact on this process, making Indians dissatisfied with the menus of some restaurants.
References
Banerjee-Dube, I. (2018). Modern mixes: The hybrid and the authentic in Indian cuisine. In L. Choukroune & P. Bhandari (Eds.), Exploring Indian modernities: Ideas and practices (pp. 169-188). Springer.
Goh, K. (2019). The rise of modern Indian cuisine. MICHELIN Guide.
Overdorf, J. (2019). Charting the revival of modern Indian cuisine. DestinAsian.