Look away if you enjoy staple Indian dishes, as those that you may have relished as a child, and still continue to do so, might end up on India’s top 10 worst rated dishes. A survey done by Taste Atlas, has yielded surprising results.
The list, updated on July 16, places popular dishes like Malpua and Upma within the top 10 unsavoury foods.
Check out the full list (as of July 17):
Gajak (2.9/5)
This sweet, dry snack from North India has taken the undesirable number one spot. Gajak is made with sesame seeds and jaggery and mostly consumed during the winters due to its benefits.
Aloo baingan (3/5)
Aubergine might not be everyone’s favourite vegetable, but it surely is consumed by the tonnes in India. A staple in Punjab, Aloo baingan was placed at number 2, as per voters’ wish. This flavourful dish is made with a combination of eggplants and potatoes, cooked together with onions, tomatoes, and various spices.
Aloo baingan is mostly consumed as a curry alongside Indian flatbreads.
Thengai sadam (coconut rice) (3/5)
A traditional dish from Southern India, Thengai sadam has occupied the number three spot. The dish is mainly made up of rice and grated coconut as its base. Cumin, mustard seeds, peppers, ginger, asafoetida, curry leaves, salt, oil, and cashews are used as seasonings.
Panta bhat (3/5)
The Bengali community in India and Bangladesh will be crestfallen after seeing their beloved panta bhat make the list. This dish, considered a delicacy in India’s West Bengal and across the Bengali diaspora is mostly enjoyed during summer. Panta bhat is a simple dish that is prepared by soaking cooked rice overnight and enjoying it in the morning with raw onion, green chillies and mashed potatoes.
Many households prepare panta bhat to avoid wasting leftover rice. The dish is also enjoyed during the Bengali new year in Bangladesh.
Upma (3.2/5)
Made with dry semolina, mustard seeds, vegetables and nuts, upma has been voted the 5th worst Indian food. This wholesome dish from Southern India has a massive demand in the aforementioned part of the country and is mostly enjoyed during breakfast.
Agra petha (3.2/5)
A sweet dish made of guard, Agra petha is a delicacy from Northern India. The chopped pieces are soaked in a lime solution and are then doused in flavored syrups.
Achappam (3.2/5)
Prepared with a batter of rice flour, eggs, and coconut milk, achappam is a favourite in Kerela. These flower-shaped cookies are made with specialised moulds. The achu moulds are heated, then dipped in batter. The cookies are then deep-fried until golden and crispy.
Mirchi ka salan (3.2/5)
“Simmering fried mild green chilis in a piquant mixture of peanuts, coconut, fried onions, sesame seeds, ginger and garlic paste, and a variety of spices,” is how Taste Atlas described this staple from Hyderabad. This versatile dish, which can be consumed alongside Hyderabadi biryani, naan, plain rice or any types of other Indian flatbreads, has been placed 8th.
Malpua (3.2/5)
Malpua is a favourite in Eastern India. Several states, including West Bengal and Odisha, devour it in massive quantities. Malpua is also offered as prasad to Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. The dish is made by deep-frying a batter of rice flour, milk, and cardamom. It can then be either enjoyed directly or dipped in a sugary syrup and consumed later.
Baati (3.3/10)
Rajasthan’s Baati concludes the top 10 worst Indian food list. Baati is made mostly with wheat flour, salt, ghee, and very little water. Baati is often paired with dal, resulting in the popular Rajasthani dish dal baati.
The bread can either have a basic preparation or be stuffed with onion, peas or sattu.
