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It’s not the food Punjabis cook at home, but butter chicken, dal makhni, and tandoori chicken are eating-out favourites across India. So, how did we get here?

What do Indians like to eat when we go out for a meal? If you answered ‘pan-Asian’ or ‘pasta’ or ‘south Indian’ or even ‘modern Indian’, well, thanks for that thought.

Punjabi staples such as butter chicken are a favourite throughout India. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Punjab Grill’s dishes such dal makhni haven’t changed in decades. (PUNJAB GRILL)

Punjabi restaurants such as Kwality in Dellhi offer customers consistent taste and quality. (AMAL KS/HT PHOTO)

Zorawar Kalra launched Punjabi food brands such as Made in Punjab, which serve classic butter chicken. (MADE IN PUNJAB)

Restaurant dishes such as paneer makhni are heavily weaked versions of homestyle recipes. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

As per a survey, 63 per cent of Indians prefer North Indian food such as tandoori chicken when they go out. (SHUTTERSTOCK)