The Flavors of the Subcontinent in New York City
New Yorkers can indulge in a diverse array of South Asian cuisine, with Biryani being one of the most popular dishes. This flavorful rice-based dish has its roots in Central Asia and Persia, but it was influenced by Arab traders who frequented India around the same time.
From Lucknow in the north to Hyderabad in the south, each region offers a unique take on this beloved dish. The Lucknow version is simpler and more subtle, while the Hyderabadi version is spicier and more bold. Both versions can be served "dum pukht," which means they are cooked in a sealed container, concentrating the flavors.
Biryani has become an integral part of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan cuisine. It's often a favorite among immigrants, including New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who swears by his Pakistani biryani. The dish exists in many variations throughout the city, from geographically identified to culturally or religiously associated.
Here are 12 places to try Biryani in NYC:
Kabab King (Jackson Heights): A classic Pakistani eatery with a choice of chicken and goat biryani that's full of flavor.
Halal Diner (Briarwood): This restaurant serves halal cuisine, including a spicy chicken biryani that's attractively plated with spices, nuts, and caramelized onions.
Kuttanadan (Glen Oaks): This Indian restaurant offers a unique beef biryani from Kerala, where beef is not typically served.
Indika House (Bushwick): Located under the elevated JMZ subway tracks, Indika House serves a stunning collection of nine biryanis, including a vegetarian jackfruit and potato variety with bright yellow hard-boiled eggs.
Masala Times (Greenwich Village): This brightly decorated restaurant offers street-style vegetable biryani that's spicy and dominated by onions and cardamom.
Fresh Curry (Tribeca): A popular spot for Bangladeshi cuisine, Fresh Curry serves a saucy biryani with lots of meat and gravy added just before serving.
Javitra (Upper East Side): This new restaurant specializes in North Indian cooking and offers five Lucknow-style biryanis, including a vegetarian jackfruit variety.
Kebabwala (Union Square): Adda's offshoot offers the original crust-topped Lucknowi biryani, bursting with flavors of onions and herbs.
Kanyakumari (Union Square): This restaurant serves an amazing and unique baby goat biryani from Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Hyderabadi Zaiqa (Midtown Manhattan): With two branches in NYC, this restaurant offers 15 varieties of biryani, including a gongura chicken biryani with pickled sorrel.
Spice Up (Castle Hill): This Bronx steam-table establishment provides a thumbnail sketch of Bangladeshi food, including beef tehari and imported freshwater fish.
Hyderabad House (Jersey City): This restaurant offers the wonderful excesses of the Hyderabadi style, including a basic chicken biryani with fried and glazed chicken on the side.
New Yorkers can indulge in a diverse array of South Asian cuisine, with Biryani being one of the most popular dishes. This flavorful rice-based dish has its roots in Central Asia and Persia, but it was influenced by Arab traders who frequented India around the same time.
From Lucknow in the north to Hyderabad in the south, each region offers a unique take on this beloved dish. The Lucknow version is simpler and more subtle, while the Hyderabadi version is spicier and more bold. Both versions can be served "dum pukht," which means they are cooked in a sealed container, concentrating the flavors.
Biryani has become an integral part of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan cuisine. It's often a favorite among immigrants, including New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who swears by his Pakistani biryani. The dish exists in many variations throughout the city, from geographically identified to culturally or religiously associated.
Here are 12 places to try Biryani in NYC:
Kabab King (Jackson Heights): A classic Pakistani eatery with a choice of chicken and goat biryani that's full of flavor.
Halal Diner (Briarwood): This restaurant serves halal cuisine, including a spicy chicken biryani that's attractively plated with spices, nuts, and caramelized onions.
Kuttanadan (Glen Oaks): This Indian restaurant offers a unique beef biryani from Kerala, where beef is not typically served.
Indika House (Bushwick): Located under the elevated JMZ subway tracks, Indika House serves a stunning collection of nine biryanis, including a vegetarian jackfruit and potato variety with bright yellow hard-boiled eggs.
Masala Times (Greenwich Village): This brightly decorated restaurant offers street-style vegetable biryani that's spicy and dominated by onions and cardamom.
Fresh Curry (Tribeca): A popular spot for Bangladeshi cuisine, Fresh Curry serves a saucy biryani with lots of meat and gravy added just before serving.
Javitra (Upper East Side): This new restaurant specializes in North Indian cooking and offers five Lucknow-style biryanis, including a vegetarian jackfruit variety.
Kebabwala (Union Square): Adda's offshoot offers the original crust-topped Lucknowi biryani, bursting with flavors of onions and herbs.
Kanyakumari (Union Square): This restaurant serves an amazing and unique baby goat biryani from Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Hyderabadi Zaiqa (Midtown Manhattan): With two branches in NYC, this restaurant offers 15 varieties of biryani, including a gongura chicken biryani with pickled sorrel.
Spice Up (Castle Hill): This Bronx steam-table establishment provides a thumbnail sketch of Bangladeshi food, including beef tehari and imported freshwater fish.
Hyderabad House (Jersey City): This restaurant offers the wonderful excesses of the Hyderabadi style, including a basic chicken biryani with fried and glazed chicken on the side.
i'm literally craving that Lucknow version now ! it's so cool how each region has its own unique take on the dish, you can totally tell the difference between the Hyderabadi and Lucknowi versions 
i feel for people who are immigrants and have to hold on to their cultural traditions like biryani is such a big part of indian/pakistani culture ! NYC has so many amazing options now , gotta try kabab king & halal diner ASAP 
I mean, people say it's all about the flavors but have you tried those Lucknowi biryanis? Like, they're actually super subtle which is actually really refreshing. And don't even get me started on the Hyderabadi version - that spice level is no joke! But what's wild is how different regions have their own take on this dish. I swear, Kerala beef biryani? 
its crazy how one dish can have so many variations across different regions and cultures, i mean you got your Lucknowi, Hyderabadi, Kerala style, and more! 
and i love how it brings people together, my friends from pakistan swears by their biryani just like NYC's mayor lol 
I mean, have you guys tried Biryani in NYC? There's this one place called Kebabwala that serves this crazy good Lucknowi biryani... like, it's got these flaky crusts and the flavors just pop 
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. And I'm sure there are some hidden gems out there that we'd never know about otherwise 
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. And it's not just about the quantity, but also the quality - I mean, have you tried the Hyderabadi Zaiqa biryani? It's on another level, dude! But what really gets me is how this dish has become an integral part of South Asian culture here in NYC, kinda like how Chinatown used to be back in the 80s 
. I'm actually planning a trip down memory lane and visiting some of these places soon - gotta try the Kuttanadan beef biryani from Kerala, it's gonna be lit 
!
indian food is literally the best and i love how each place has its own unique take on biryani. kabab king sounds amazing too, their chicken biryani must be SO flavorful 
i've been to a lot of restaurants in nyc but ive never had an authentic south asian experience until now. can't wait to explore more!
i'm telling you, spice up is where its at 
dont @ me for thinking that a food spot can be a mini-market 
! I'm obsessed with the different versions, especially the ones from Hyderabad and Lucknow - they're so rich and flavorful 
. And you know what's even better? Seeing how each restaurant puts its own twist on the dish 
I've had the Lucknowi biryani at Kebabwala before and it was TO DIE FOR. The combination of spices and herbs is just magic. And now I get to try all these other variations?