Indian cuisine is full of flavor, culture, and diversity—but did you know that many of our favorite desi snacks actually have English names too? While some translations are straightforward, others are quite surprising (and even funny). Let’s take a look at the English names of some beloved Indian dishes:
1. Samosa – Rissole
A crispy, triangular snack stuffed with spicy potatoes and peas. In English, it’s somewhat similar to a rissole, which refers to a small patty filled with savory ingredients and usually fried.
2. Pakode – Fritters
Vegetables or paneer coated in gram flour batter and deep-fried. In English, these are called fritters—a general term for anything that’s battered and fried.
3. Jalebi – Funnel Cake
Sweet, coiled, and soaked in sugar syrup, jalebi resembles the western funnel cake in appearance, though the taste is uniquely Indian.
4. Panipuri – Water Balls
This street-food favorite has no perfect English equivalent. Some fun attempts include water balls, but the best description might be crispy puris filled with tangy flavored water.
5. Namkeen – Crisps / Savory Snacks
Namkeen refers to a range of salty, crunchy snacks like sev, bhujia, and mixtures. In English, these fall under savory snacks or crisps.
6. Kachori – Stuffed Pie
Kachori is a deep-fried, round pastry stuffed with spicy lentils or peas. It’s close to a stuffed savory pie in English.
7. Raita – Mixed Curd / Yogurt Dip
Raita is curd mixed with spices, veggies, or fruits. You can call it spiced yogurt or yogurt dip in English.
8. Pakwan – Festive Dish / Delicacy
Pakwan refers to rich, often elaborate dishes prepared during festivals. Festive dish or delicacy is a better English equivalent than “dressed food.”
9. Ghee – Clarified Butter
Ghee is widely used in Indian cooking and rituals. In English, it’s known as clarified butter—pure butterfat without milk solids or water.
10. Matha – Whey
Matha is the leftover liquid after churning butter from curd. In English, it’s called whey, which is also known for its high protein content.
11. Chhachh – Buttermilk
A refreshing, digestive drink made from diluted curd with spices. This is accurately called buttermilk in English.
12. Khoya – Condensed Milk Solids / Mawa
Made by slowly evaporating milk, khoya is the base for many Indian sweets. In English, it’s known as condensed milk solids or simply mawa.
Conclusion:
Knowing the English names of these Indian favorites is not just fun, it’s also useful—especially when sharing Indian food with international friends or online. So next time someone asks, “What’s a samosa?” you can proudly say—“It’s called a rissole!”