Whats the difference between Indian and Pakistani food...? What is Pakistani Food anyway?

I am Pakistani, so let me try to help you out. India and Pakistan are culturally similar. We were once the same country! But religious differences caused a divide. Hindus (in India) do not eat meat, especially beef. Muslims (in Pakistan) do eat meat, but not pork. The main difference in Indian and Pakistani food is the meat. Indian restaurants focus on their vegetable and lentil dishes, whereas Pakistani food is based on meat, stewed or broiled. Today, many Indian restaurants serve meat dishes, but that is not traditionally in their culture--it is something they have adapted from Pakistanis/Muslim Indians... In restaurants, you will find most of the food is greasy and oily, just as in chinese restaurants some places serve really greasy food! So try to find a nice place where the food is better... I suppose Iindian food would be considered healthier if they mostly eat vegetables and lentils, whereas we eat meat. Maybe next time you go to a Pakistani restaurant, steer clear of the stews and chose the kabobs and "tikkas" which is just broiled meat...I'd suggest chicken tikka or tandoori chicken. A not-so-oily dish that is made with yogurt and butter is "makni chicken." Hope this answers your question!

I believe that New York is much like London and same factors apply -- and the other people have good answers also. I guess I could investigate further because --

I beg to differ with the first guy who posted. Indian food is NOT greasy. It is definitely far more healthier and cooked in less oil. For example, South Indian crepes called dosas are very light and rice cakes called Idlis are steamed. There is so much variety in Indian food, every region has it's own cuisine. Biryani, sali boti, dal, paya, naan roti and so on, are common to both North Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

Well either you went to a really bad pak restuarant or you ordered greasy meals. Chances are it was the former because you get a lot of variety in PK menus. If you go for barbq, then roasted chicken with spices (chicken "tikka") or kabobs (1. "seekh" 2. "boti") are as dry as can be. "Nihari" or "paya" are the greasy sort which will kill you but are delicious. Never heard of greasy rice and hope to never encounter such a concoction The differences between pakistani and indian *everything* are the same as american and canadian (simple explanation). But if you really want to generalize, indian food is generally rather much more greasy and they have more zing in their spices. In both countries you have different foods in different regions. So depends on personal preference i guess As far as the health issue goes, I think everything in extravagance kills, so as long as you have either periodically you're good to go. Pakistani and indian food is quite good but as I said before, region-wise dishes vary. Try the tikka, kabab, biryani (mildly spicy rice), daal (plain curry) with roti (bread) or the chicken haandi (mild curry)

I know that in England (the epitome of real Indian cuisine) that ALL Indian Restaurants are run by Pakistani's and all Indian food is made by Pakistani's. I don't think there is much of a diff in the cuisines. As for the oil issue... that's just particular to the restaurant - some of it's floating and some of it is just disguised. Indian or Pakistani - it's outrageously fattening, the base for most of the dishes is ghee (refined butter, i believe). If you want low cholesterol I'd find another cuisine :))) But, it's so damn delicious. Why don't you ask someone in one of the restaurants you go to? Let me know if you find out.