Kalyani Biryani

The ‘other biryani‘ from Hyderabad is lesser known but more affordable. It may not be as rich in flavour as the popular mutton biryani from the region but it is a feast nonetheless. It has a distinct tomato, jeera and dhania flavor. 

Kolkata Biryani

This mouth watering biryani is slightly sweet as the rice is seasoned with rosewater and saffron. It is then steamed with cooked mutton and spices. At the center of this deliciousness is the humble potato. 

Dindigul Thalapakatti Biryani 

The history of this biryani goes back to 1957 when Nagasamy Naidu who earned his living selling paan realized that his wife’s biryani was something special. According to the Hindu,

It used a special blend of spices, a type of short grain seeraga samba rice, called parakkum sittu, and Kannivadi meat, which comes from tender grass-fed goats.” (Kannivadi is a small town in Dindigul district). This rice, unlike basmati, has no particular taste of its own, so it completely absorbs the flavour of the spices.

Thalassery Biryani

It is famous in Kozhikode, Thalassery and Malappuram areas of Kerala. What makes it unique is the use of short and thin rice called Khyma or Jeerakasala. It is prepared with lots of ghee and a handful of spices, cashew nuts and raisins.

Kuzhimanthi Biriyani

Relatively new, this biryani is a hit in Kerala. According to the Scroll, the taste resembles that of a classic Yemini dish, the mandi which means “dewy” and signifies the tenderness of the meat. Unlike other biryanis, this is not cooked dum style. The rice and meat are not sealed but loosely covered.

Ambur/Arcot Biryani

According to the Hindu, “the Ambur biryani is the best known variety of the Arcot biryani, a generic name for biryanis in the region once ruled by the nawabs of Arcot.” This dish uses Seeraga Samba rice instead of basmati. Here the rice is parboiled, the meat is cooked separately and the mixture is cooked on dum.

Beary Biryani

This Manglorean-style biryani was introduced by merchants and traders and has distinct flavour of green chillies and coconut. The overnight marination with ghee and spice mixtures sets this biryani apart.

Kolhapuri Biryani

The changing season dictates the recipe for this biryani. Come summers, and you’ll find that the biryani tastes less spicy. During monsoons, pepper makes an appearance (to fight cold). In winters, you’ll find ginger-garlic paste added to bring vigour to your day.

Sindhi Biryani

Spicier than other biryanis, here the masalas dominate the dish and are used in larger proportion as compared to the rice. Its distinct flavour comes from spicy potatoes, tangy aaloo bukhara (dried prunes) and sour yoghurt.

Mandya/ Gowdru Biryani

The use of Jeera Samba rice or Sona Masuri instead of basmati make this biryani unique. The meat of nati koli (country chicken) is the norm. It is served in a bowl of banana leaves called donne, and so this dish is also famously called the donne biryani.

Srilankan Buryani

This biryani or buryani as it’s called in Sri Lanka, is spicier than its Indian counterpart. Saffron, ghee, and special masala (nutmeg and star anise) give this its rich flavor. 

Bhatkali Biryani (Karnataka)

The stark white biryani makes no use of ghee or oil. A prominent ingredient is the onion here–lots of it is used in the biryani and as an accompaniment to the dish.

Memoni/Kutchi Biryani

Originated in the Kutch-Sindh region, this biryani is generous with its use of spices but uses fewer tomatoes and no food coloring.

Nasi Kebuli 

It is an Indonesian version of biryani with the rice cooked with goat meat, ghee, galangal, coconut milk, lemongrass, cloves, emping and pickles. Nasi Kebuli is popular in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Surakarta and Gresik, and is usually served during religious festivities. 

Kashmiri Bhuna Gosht Biryani 

It stands out for the addition of asafoetida and overnight marination.

Which one would you want to get your hands on first?