Biryani
Biryani is a rice dish of Persian origin with meat or vegetables, layered in a pot and steamed.1,2,3 Basmati is the most common rice.1
Also known as Biriyani, Biryani rice
Biryani is a rice dish of Persian origin and a popular celebratory dish in South Asia.1,2,4 Half-cooked rice is layered over marinated meat or vegetables and steams in the juices of the other ingredients.1 India has many regional kinds, such as those of Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata; the most popular are credited to the Mughals and the nizams of Hyderabad.1,4,5 Nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves usually give the aroma, and saffron colours the rice.5
What's in a biryani?
Rice with meat, fish or vegetables, flavoured especially with saffron or turmeric and often cooked in layers. The MDH Bombay Biryani Masala blend lists 17 ingredients, among them coriander, dried plum and cardamom.1,3,6,7
What does biryani mean literally?
It comes from the Persian biryān, meaning fried or roasted. The phrase birinj biriyan means fried rice.1,2,6,8
Is biryani a curry?
No. Biryani is a rice dish in which rice and meat or vegetables cook together, while a curry is meat or vegetables in a spicy sauce and generally hotter than biryani.1,9,10
Related products in our shop
MDHMDH Biryani Spice Blend (Bombay Biryani Masala)€2.99 · 100 g · €29.90 per kg
ShanShan Chicken Biryani Spice Mix (Malay Chicken Biryani)€1.99 · 60 g · €33.17 per kg
MDHMDH Chaat Sprinkling Blend (Chunky Chat Masala)€2.99 · 100 g · €29.90 per kg
TRSTRS Finishing Spice Blend (Garam Masala)€6.99 · 400 g · €17.48 per kg
MDHMDH Black Lentil Spice Blend (Dal Makhani Masala)€2.99 · 100 g · €29.90 per kg
MDHMDH Chicken Curry Spice Blend (Curry Masala for Chicken)€2.99 · 100 g · €29.90 per kg
All prices incl. VAT, plus €4.90 shipping, free for orders from €49.00.
Sources
- McNamee, G. L. (2026). biryani. In Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- Pant, P. (2016). From Iran to India: The journey and evolution of biriyani. The Daily Star.
- Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). biryani. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
- Pai Raikar, S. (2026). Indian cuisine. In Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- Antani, V. & Mahapatra, S. (2022). Evolution of Indian cuisine: a socio-historical review. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 9, 15. DOI: 10.1186/s42779-022-00129-4
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). biryani. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
- Indian Culture: MDH Bombay Biryani Masala: ingredients on the pack.
- Platts, J. T. (1884). biryān; biryānī. In A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English (p. 151). Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago.
- Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). curry. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). curry. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Cite this entry
MLA
“Biryani.” Indian Culture Glossary, Indian Culture, https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/biryani.
Chicago
Indian Culture Glossary, s.v. “Biryani,” https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/biryani.
APA
Indian Culture. (n.d.). Biryani. In Indian Culture glossary. https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/biryani