Most Ordered Food in India: What Everyone’s Clicking On First

Picture this: your phone dings, and your dinner is only a few taps away. Food delivery in India exploded in the last few years, and trends have changed fast. Why waste time cooking when you can skip the mess and eat whatever you crave?

But here’s the real surprise—among all the fancy options on those apps, one dish always pops up at the top. It’s not butter chicken or the latest fusion food. This dish keeps getting ordered, whether you’re in a small town or Mumbai’s busiest lane.

If you keep guessing, you’d be shocked by how simple the answer is. Turns out, people love comfort food that reminds them of home. And yes, it’s something you can make even when you think you have nothing in your kitchen.

• Why Delivery Apps Changed the Food Game
• The Dish Indians Can’t Stop Ordering
• Fun Facts Behind the Hype
• Easy Home Version for Busy Nights
• Tips to Make It Even Better

Why Delivery Apps Changed the Food Game

Think about how easy it feels to get Indian food delivery now compared to just a few years back. Delivery apps have shaken up the way people eat, especially with hectic workdays and long commutes. You finish a late meeting, scroll a bit, and hot food shows up at your door—it’s that simple.

Before apps like Swiggy and Zomato took over, eating out meant driving, waiting in line, or just settling for home-cooked dal-chawal. Now, you’ve got the city’s entire menu at your fingertips. Delivery is no longer a luxury—it’s everyday normal.

Here are some reasons why these apps changed the food scene in India:

• Widest Choice Ever: Now you can order anything from classic biryani to bubble tea in one go. You’re no longer stuck with whatever’s nearby.
• Deals and Discounts: Who doesn’t like a good deal? Apps fight for your attention by offering discounts and combo meals, making eating out cheaper than ever.
• Real Reviews: You know what you’re getting. Real ratings and user photos keep restaurants honest and help you skip the bad ones.
• Late Night Cravings: Midnight hunger pangs? Many kitchens run late just for delivery app customers.

And people use these apps a LOT. In 2024, both Zomato and Swiggy crossed over 3 million daily orders on a regular day. That means millions of people are skipping cooking, especially in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

With so much action, it’s no wonder every delivery app’s Top 10 Most Ordered list has become the new trend chart for popular Indian dishes. Choices keep changing, but one dish somehow keeps its crown. Let’s see what’s got everyone hitting that order button.

The Dish Indians Can’t Stop Ordering

It’s not a big shock if you’ve scrolled through any food delivery app in India lately—biryanis top pretty much every chart, from Zomato to Swiggy. Whether it’s chicken, mutton, paneer, or classic Hyderabadi, biryani always wins the title of most ordered food in India. No other dish comes close in numbers, even pizzas can’t catch up.

Let’s check out some eye-popping numbers. Back in 2023, Swiggy reported that 2.28 biryanis were ordered every single second. That means by the time you finish reading this sentence, someone has dug into a fresh, hot biryani somewhere in India. See how strong the obsession is?

What’s the big deal? Biryani packs in a ton of flavor, feels fancy enough for any occasion, but still works as comfort food. You can eat it alone, share it with friends, or even save some for later. It comes in neat, spill-proof packaging, making it a safe bet for delivery. If you check the top trending dishes every year, biryani always grabs a spot in every city’s list, not just the metro areas.

Biryani’s edge is that it’s versatile. You find classic Hyderabadi versions, but every city puts its own spin on it. In Kolkata, you’ll spot potato wedges sneaking in. In Kerala, you might get a whiff of coconut and different masalas. No one turns down biryani, and it fits both non-veg and veg diets without much fuss.

• Popular types ordered online: Chicken biryani, Mutton biryani, Paneer biryani, Egg biryani
• Typical biryani accompaniments: Raita, boiled egg, salad, lemon wedges, salan (spicy gravy)

Still doubt it’s number one? Here’s a quick look at estimated online orders per minute in major cities for 2024:

To sum it up, biryani isn’t just food—it’s a movement. Next time you order, know you’re in very crowded company!

Fun Facts Behind the Hype

So, what's the real story with the most ordered food in India? Believe it or not, the humble biryani takes the crown on almost every delivery app from Swiggy to Zomato. Their own reports say over 115 biryanis are ordered every minute on average—yes, every single minute!

There’s a reason this dish wins everywhere, not just metro cities. Biryani’s bold flavor, ability to travel well, and huge serving size make it a shared favorite for families, late-night cravings, and even solo lunches. People order it for birthdays, cricket matches, or even just a lazy Sunday. It beats pizzas, burgers, and even Chinese food in most stats.

Here’s a quick look at some fun numbers from Swiggy’s 2024 "StatEATstics" report:

Biryani also has a cool local twist—Hyderabadi, Kolkata, Lucknowi—each region loves its own style, and delivery apps keep up by listing them all. The best part? The classic chicken biryani is the top pick, but vegetarian versions like paneer and mushroom biryani are getting popular too.

One more thing: when you look at repeat orders, biryani wins again. People love it so much, they don’t just try it once—they keep coming back for more. That’s why it’s earned its spot as the most ordered food in India and a must-know for anyone craving easy Indian recipes.

Easy Home Version for Busy Nights

No time, no fancy ingredients? You’re not alone. The most ordered food in India is paneer butter masala, and believe it or not, you don’t have to be a restaurant chef to whip it up. Skip the delivery fees—this is totally doable at home.

Here’s a super straightforward way to recreate the magic in your own kitchen, even if you’re tired after work and the fridge is almost empty:

1. Ingredients: Paneer (250g blocks work best), 2 large tomatoes, 1 onion, a handful of cashews (or skip for a nut-free version), 1 tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons cream, common spices (turmeric, red chilli, garam masala), 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste, and salt.
2. Quick Tomato Base: Chop the onion and tomatoes roughly. Sauté the onion in a little oil until soft, toss in the tomatoes and cashews, and cook till it all turns mushy. Blend it smooth—no one likes lumpy gravy!
3. Putting It Together: Melt butter in a pan, add ginger-garlic paste, cook for a minute, then pour in your blended sauce. Toss in turmeric, chilli, salt, and garam masala. Simmer five minutes, add paneer cubes, and finish with cream.
4. Serve it up: Pair with hot rotis, steamed rice, or even leftover bread. This is why it’s a popular Indian dish—super flexible!

If you’re low on time, use readymade tomato puree and pre-cut paneer. Want a lighter version? Use milk instead of cream and swap butter for olive oil. Got kids? Cut the spice by half; it still tastes the same.

Curious about the time it takes? Here’s how fast you can actually get it done compared to ordering online:

So, next time you’re hungry and tempted to order, try this quick, easy Indian recipe for a change. You’ll know exactly what’s going in your food—and bonus, it’s ready faster than most delivery drivers can show up.

Tips to Make It Even Better

If you want to grab that same flavor and comfort of most ordered food in India at home, it’s all about the right tweaks. No need for complicated equipment or hard-to-find spices—just small changes that make a big difference.

• Use fresh herbs: Chopped coriander or mint right before serving makes any popular Indian dish feel more like restaurant food.
• Don’t skimp on onions and tomatoes: The base of gravies like paneer butter masala or dal makhani is always a slow-sauté of these two. Take your time here for real depth.
• Balance your spices: Too much chili or garam masala and you kill the comfort. Use freshly ground spices if you can. It smells way better than the pre-ground stuff sitting in your cupboard for ages.
• Add a dash of cream or ghee: This is how restaurants get that rich texture. Just a spoon at the end takes it up a notch.
• Use leftovers wisely: Extra dal or paneer can be wrapped into rotis or used in sandwiches for a fresh spin.

Wondering why your home food never matches delivery? Sometimes it’s as simple as cooking order. Restaurants always fry whole spices first to unlock maximum aroma. Try it on your next batch of easy Indian recipes and taste the difference.

If you want to skip cream for a lighter version, blend soaked cashews and add them into your gravy. You still get that creamy mouthfeel, but it’s easier on the tummy.

Here’s a quick stat: In a 2024 Swiggy survey, almost 80% of people said extra butter or ghee is what they crave in restaurant-style dishes—they don’t usually add as much at home. So if you want that true Indian food delivery taste, don’t be shy with the fat (but maybe not every day!).

For a game-changing meal, pair your curry with homemade jeera rice or fresh parathas. These little things can make your popular Indian dishes go from everyday to everyone’s favorite.