Food in India is far more than mere sustenance; it is a powerful medium for connection, storytelling, and building bonds. Every significant memory in an Indian's life journey, from moments of sadness to celebrations of joy, is often intertwined with the magic of food. Reflecting this deep culinary culture, the online food delivery platform Swiggy recently unveiled its annual report, detailing the dishes that Indians ordered the most throughout the year 2025.
The Undisputed King of Indian Takeaway
Topping the chart by a massive margin is the beloved Biryani, with a staggering 93 million orders. This fragrant and flavourful rice dish, slow-cooked with marinated meat or vegetables, layered with spices, and garnished with fried onions and saffron, continues to reign supreme. It is traditionally served with salan (gravy) and raita, cementing its status as a complete and satisfying meal.
Global Favourites & South Indian Staples
Following Biryani, global fast-food classics showed strong popularity. Burgers secured the second spot with 44.2 million orders, while Pizza came in third with 40.1 million orders. These sandwiches and flatbreads, loaded with various toppings and sauces, remain perennial favourites for a quick and tasty meal.
The list also highlights the nationwide love for South Indian cuisine. The Veg Dosa, a crispy fermented crepe stuffed with spiced potatoes, garnered 26.2 million orders. Its lighter counterpart, the steamed Idli, made from a batter of rice and lentils, followed with 11 million orders.
Sweet Cravings and Savoury Snacks
Indians' sweet tooth was evident with two desserts making the top ten. White Chocolate Cake, known for its creamy and mildly sweet flavour, was ordered 6.9 million times. The classic Indian sweet Gulab Jamun, deep-fried milk-solid balls soaked in aromatic sugar syrup, saw 4.5 million orders.
The list rounds out with popular savoury snacks. The Chicken Roll, a spiced chicken filling wrapped in a flatbread with condiments, recorded 4.1 million orders. Chicken Nuggets, the crispy bite-sized favourites, were ordered 2.9 million times. Finally, the South Indian Medhu Vada, a deep-fried, doughnut-shaped savoury made from urad dal, also featured prominently in the year's orders.
This report, released by Swiggy on December 29, 2025, offers a fascinating snapshot of India's evolving yet tradition-rooted palate. It underscores how convenience from food delivery platforms seamlessly blends with the nation's rich and diverse culinary heritage.
