Biryani reigns supreme as the most-ordered food item on almost all food delivery platforms. Be it a street side vendor, an elite fine dining restaurant or a 5 Star hotel, one will find Biryani lovers making a beeline at every stall serving layers of flavour. India is home to probably millions of biryani lovers who have their own favourite version of of this mouthwatering dish. (Image: Shutterstock)
Despite the craze behind the dish, not many are aware that there are hundreds if not thousands of versions of biryanis! Yes, you read that right. Almost every city in southern India and state in across the country has its own version version of the dish. The CNBC-TV18 Travel Desk has handpicked the 11 best Biryani versions for you. And in case you travel to any of these destinations across the country, ensure you grab a bite or two for a whole new experience. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 1. Hyderabadi Biryani | Originating in the kitchens of the 'Nizams of Hyderabad,' this dish is a perfect mixture of Mughal and South Indian cuisines. The history behind this goes back to the time when the Mughals extended their rule to the southern part of India, thereby blending the royal Mughlai flavours with local cooking techniques. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 2. Sindhi Biryani | Coming from the Sindh region, now in Pakistan, this special dish is a rich blend of flavours from the diverse communities that inhabited the area, including Muslims and Sikhs. Truly depicting the vibrant spirit of Sindh, do give it a try to get hold of the unique blend of spices and flavours. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 3. Awadhi Biryani | Often considered one of the most flavoursome biryanis of all, this one is known for its rich and subtle flavours. It comes from the kitchens of the Nawabs of Awadh and represents a mouthwatering blend of Mughal, Persian, and local cooking styles. This one is distinct from other Biryani varieties one sees in Indian markets. (Image: Jerome Anthony/CNBCTV18)
No 4. Kolkata Biryani | This iconic dish hails from the culturally rich city of West Bengal's Kolkata and is popular for its distinct flavours and unique composition. While other Biryanis are known for their aromatic rice and meat, the Kolkata Biryani has a surprise ingredient - potatoes. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 5. Thalassery Biryani | This Biryani comes from the coastal town of Thalassery in Kerala, which is popular for its spice trade under British rule. It uses a unique short-grain rice, that complements the blend of local aromatic spices, making it a lip-smacking experience. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 6. Muradabadi biryani | This one is our fravourite pick. Muradabadi biryani is a traditional dish named after the city of Moradabad in the norther Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is prepared with a combination of chicken pieces, rice, green chili peppers, garam masala, hung curd (thick yogurt), ginger-garlic paste, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, black pepper, coriander, fennel, cumin, caraway, salt, lemon juice, and a small amount of oil. (Image: Facebook)
No 7. Ambur Biryani | The Ambur-style Biryani is not only a meal for most citizens of Chennai. They consider it a sentiment. This dish, originating from Tamil Nadu, was brought into the limelight by the cooks of the Arcot Nawabs. It is made from seeraga samba rice, which is mixed with spicy gravy and tender meat. (Image: Facebook)
No 8. Dindigul Biryani | Yet another popular style from Tamil Nadu, the Dindigul Biryani is a must-try for foodies. This is made with the seerage samba rice and is known for its rich taste. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 9. Memoni Biryani | Originating from Sindh-Gujarat's Memoni trading community, this style of Biryani is quite different from the Sindhi one and features the spicy cooking style of the region. If you look forward to an extra kick in your dish, this one's for you. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 10. Donne (Dhonnai) Biryani | The signature biryani of Karnataka's Bengaluru takes its name from the areca nut palm cups in which it is served. Known for its eco-friendly serving style, it is a harmonious blend of tang and aroma with local spices. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 11. Chennai Bhai Biryani | Celebrating Chennai's rich cultural mix, this dish is a mix of different flavours from Arab, Persian, and Tamil cooking styles. It is one of the most loved recipes by the locals and gives you the authentic taste of the vibrant culinary culture of the region. (Image: Reuters)