Afghani food is known for its exquisite taste and variety and thus the Afghan food business has become a livelihood for many Afghan refugees living in New Delhi.
The Afghan food market is growing rapidly in the heart of Delhi and it has become an ideal place where food lovers find the delicious Afghan cuisine.
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One can find all kinds of non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes in the little market in Hauz Rani, located in South Delhi.
Nanwayee, the street bread maker, who makes traditional Afghani rotis during meal time, is very famous here. This traditional roti is very important eatery for Afghans as it is considered that their meal is incomplete without it.
Haji Kharimdad, owner of the Afghan bread shop, explained the significance of roti in the Afghan cuisine.
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“The Afghani roti is made up of two types of flours; one is maida and second, wheat. The roti is prepared in a tandoor after grinding the flour with the help of a machine. You can eat Afghani roti with anything, like with pulses, vegetables non-veg or alone with tea like a snack,” he said.
“The roti we make is made up of whole wheat grain. It is very good for health and even if you don’t eat anything but this roti, you can survive for the day,” he added.
Afghan restaurant serves the best of Kabuli Uzbeki pulao, kebabs and chicken. For vegetarians, borani banjan, which is deep-fried eggplant served with yogurt and dried mint leaves, along with Kabuli-style rajma is their specialty.
“We have all kinds of Middle Eastern food, we have special Afghani rice called Kabuli pulao, and for non-vegetarians we have fish, all kinds of kebabs, mutton, chicken, yakhni, and verities of soups. We also have one special dish from Afghanistan called Bulani. Aushak which looks like a momo but is an Afghan version on dimsum is also available here. It tastes different,” said Abdul, owner of the Afghan restaurant, Saket.
Each restaurant in the market promises to bring the best of Afghan and the Middle East food. These restaurants are also one means of earning revenue for the Afghan refugees.