Can Foreigners Have Indian Food?

Aug 13, 2020

Being a die-hard desi we love and are addicted to Indian cuisine that even when we go for international trips, some of us look for Indian restaurants. Till the time we don’t have some hot dal makhani with naan, a trip is not complete. Hence, when someone pointed out that our curries are spicy it irked many people online. Because they don’t know that our curries are flavorful and not just spicy.

American author and host Padma Lakshmi was among those who were shocked when a non-Indian family objected to feeding their child Indian food.

Sorry... what? https://t.co/nXxlvDggLl
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) August 11, 2020

Here is what he wrote:

My son, “Chris,” is 9. A few weeks ago, we decided to open our bubble to include the family of “Neil,” Chris’s best friend. Both of Neil’s parents are doctors, so this seemed like a safe decision. Both parents were born and raised in India. We let Chris have dinner at their place the other night since both boys were having a great time together. When we came to pick up Chris, Neil’s mom recounted to me how much chicken curry and lentils and vegetables Chris ate. I couldn’t believe that they served my son spicy curries without even calling to ask us if that would be OK! I was taken aback and gently mentioned that spicy foods can be hard on small tummies, but it didn’t seem to register. Thankfully Chris didn’t get sick. My wife says to drop it because any conversation will look racial in nature and to only let the boys play at our place. Please help.

People on the internet were offended by this man stereotyping Indian cuisine as spicy and some said that not all Indian food is spicy.

Check out how they reacted:

The only danger of introducing Indian food to kids is that it’s so damn good, they may never eat anything else (said by mom who gave toddler sag paneer who is still loving it 15 years later) ????
— Margaret Hetherman (@hetherman) August 11, 2020

My kids have been eating Indian food since they were 2 or 3. It is still one of their two most requested foods for takeout (other is Thai). Get to know other cultures and new people. It will make you a better person and their food is usually fucking amazing.
— ???? Brett ???? (@willsocal) August 11, 2020

Not surprising from the “mayonnaise is spicy” crowd; our only recourse is to continue to educate each other.
— ??Rob Anderson for Louisiana (@RobAnderson2018) August 11, 2020

But don’t they know, curry is a gateway food! It could lead poor Chris to dislike home cooking and to be become a risky eater, craving for spicy Mexican, sushi with overdoses of wasabi or Chinese street markets! DEEP-FRIED BATS!!!
— Tralfamadorian???? (@EirolltheThird) August 11, 2020

If my son had curry at a friend’s house, my only concern would be “did you send leftovers for me??” ??????
— Jackie Sanders (@JackieSandersNY) August 11, 2020

I wish someone had fed me Indian food without asking when I was nine.
— Christian McIntire (@McintireReal) August 11, 2020

And this Indian mother was made to feel bad because she shared one of the greatest lifetime experiences of getting to eat a home cooked meal from a new culture with a sweet boy! This makes me so mad.
— Ashley Lane (@laaane) August 11, 2020

How dare they let my child experience...flavor?! He may never like the bland underseasoned food we serve him again!
— Timothy E Kaldas (@tekaldas) August 12, 2020

Oh no NOT THE CURRY ????
who gets mad when their kid goes over to a friend’s house&actually eats more than just chicken nuggets/pizza rolls?Your kid had a nutritious home cooked meal.They could have been like “this is one more kid than I’m used to feeding here’s some hot pockets” pic.twitter.com/9khWEIziEd
— MISS ARGENTINA (@jadeeamazing_) August 11, 2020

Further, many Twitter users also shared their favorite Indian dishes:

Literally just had saag paneer for lunch. Frozen, but still better than all the other food out there. I just moved, and my first mission is to find good Indian in my new ‘hood.
— (((Texy Lefty))) #BidenHarris2020 ???????????? (@TexyLefty) August 11, 2020

The worst thing that happened to me after eating curry was a nap afterwards. And even that was my fault because I ate, like, 8 delicious servings.
— BLM - Warren Dem - Veteran US Navy ???????????????????????? (@spartacuswords) August 11, 2020

Literally just had saag paneer for lunch. Frozen, but still better than all the other food out there. I just moved, and my first mission is to find good Indian in my new ‘hood.
— (((Texy Lefty))) #BidenHarris2020 ???????????? (@TexyLefty) August 11, 2020

My Dad was originally from Manchester, England and grew up eating curries. He instilled a love for Indian food in me. Just last week I made a great chickpea and spinach curry. The hotter the better! pic.twitter.com/G16Md8KKBl
— James Byrne?? (@AttorneyByrne) August 11, 2020

Well, we know everyone has different taste. But Indian food is full of flavors which means species as well. Btw what do you think about this dad’s concern?

@via