State of the World from NPR cover image

State of the World from NPR

Who Invented Indian Butter Chicken?

Mar 1, 2024
Exploring the origins of Butter Chicken, a lawsuit regarding its invention, and the intertwined histories of India and Pakistan. The podcast also delves into the journey of Multimahal's fame, hosting notable guests, and features sponsor ads and movie promotion at the end.
07:49

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Butter chicken's origin is a contested history rooted in India's past and reflects a fusion of cultural influences.
  • An ongoing legal battle surrounds the invention of butter chicken, with descendants of the original chefs claiming credit.

Deep dives

Origin of Butter Chicken in India

Butter chicken, a culinary staple in Indian cuisine, has a complex and contested origin rooted in the history of India. The dish, created in the aftermath of South Asia's partition in 1947, emerged from the Multimahal restaurant in New Delhi, founded by cooks Kundalaljaghi and Kundalal Ghudral from Peshawar, Pakistan. With a creamy and flavorful sauce, butter chicken symbolizes a fusion of flavors and cultural influences, attracting renowned figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Richard Nixon to savor its delicacy.

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