How to Practice Etiquette at an Indian Dinner Table

October 4, 2019

There are a range of different culinary cultures around the world that dictate the way that food is prepared and cooked in order to meet the requirements of a country’s preferred palate. For example, the use of large quantities of spice is a common occurrence in Asian cuisine whereas western food tends to make up what it lacks in flavour with its character. In fact, dining etiquette also varies based on the country in question as traditions can dictate the way that people act around a dinner table. Read on as the team here at Royal Nawaab go over everything there is to know about Indian dining etiquette…

Why isn’t cutlery used in Indian dining?

At a traditional Indian dining table, it is important that a guest washes their hands when the meal is announced in order to encourage cleanliness. After all, it isn’t uncommon for cutlery to be absent from the dinner table because most Indian prefer to eat with their hands. Whilst this may seem out of the ordinary for a western individual, it is done so neatly with the tips of the fingers and the use of a knife is not encouraged because the majority of dishes are made to be bite-sized. With this said, spoons are often used in restaurants when it comes to liquid dishes.

Is an empty plate a sign of respect?

Indian culture encourages families to invite guests to eat as it is a gesture of respect and honour. With this said, it is considered disrespectful to the chef to leave leftovers on the plate at the end of a meal as some people take it as an indication that the meal wasn’t enjoyable. Since there aren’t ‘courses’ in Indian dining and all the food is laid out at the same time, it is important that diners are sensible as etiquette dictates that an empty plate is the most respectful way to compliment the chef.

When is it appropriate to leave the dining table?

The culture of India encourages the younger generation to respect their elders as these are often the people who prepare the meals in large families. As a result, dining etiquette means that finishing a dish early does not give an individual the right to leave the dining table. In fact, in the majority of traditional households it is a sign of respect to remain seated until the host or the eldest diner as finished eating. In addition to this, authentic Indian cuisine takes a long time to prepare which is why it is important to verbally compliment the cook at the end of a meal to show respect.

Here at Royal Nawaab, we strive to provide our diners with a five-star service during every visit and that is why our team of highly-qualified chefs place a lot of emphasis on incorporating authentic Indian flavours into the dishes we serve. After all, we believe that traditional food is the secret to a successful service, especially since our popularity is founded upon these flavours. In fact, culture also plays an important role in the way that food is eaten and that is why it is important to be aware of the unspoken rules of etiquette at an Indian dining table. To find out more information, get in contact with the best restaurant Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the Royal Nawaab team today!