Indian cuisine a big hit among French

The number of Indian restaurants has increased significantly in the last two decades here, said Swati Sarkar, a freelance interpreter who has been staying in the French capital for the last 24 years.

"In 1990's, it was difficult to trace an Indian restaurant in Paris. But now it's a completely new picture. You easily come across restaurants in several parts of the city, showing how the popularity has gone up," she said.

 

"It is not just attraction. It has become a habit among the French to taste Indian food items because they want varieties," Suraj, a restaurant owner, said adding, about 100 French people visit the place in Chatean d'eau area, a prime location, everyday.

There are about 100 Indian restaurants in Paris, a city with a heterogeneous population of about 12 million. Some restaurants offer both Indian and Pakistani delicacies, almost similar in taste and preparation.

"What makes us like the food is the subtle blending of variety of spices that enhance the basic flavour of any particular dish," he said.

Be it biryani, naan, dal makhni or items of paneer, the French find the Indian cuisine appealing to their taste-buds. They also like combining the Indian delicacies, with French wine, beer or Champaign.