When you want to order Indian and are staring at an Indian takeaway menu, it might get difficult to decide between Pilau rice and plain rice?
It happens quite often. You’ve picked your curry, maybe a naan on the side, but then this little choice suddenly feels massive. You hover for a bit, thinking: Does it really matter? Spoiler, it absolutely does.
The Age-Old Debate: Pilau or Plain?
Plain rice is the easy option. It’s safe, simple, and soaks up sauce and calms down the spice.
Then there’s Pilau rice, the one that's full of that gentle spice, smelling amazing. Warm and buttery.
You get a waft of cardamom, cinnamon and ghee the moment you lift that lid from a takeaway near you. Without even tasting it, you will know that you’ve made the right call.
Why Pilau Rice Just Hits Different
Pilau rice has something special about it. The colour, smell, and also how it makes any curry taste a little fancier. You can just order from your local Indian restaurant or the best Indian restaurant in London, and somehow Pilau rice steals the show.
You see, plain rice just sits there. Pilau rice joins in. The spices blend with your curry rather than fight it. A spoonful of Pilau and korma feels like velvet. Mix it with a madras, and it softens the punch. Even a simple tarka dal turns into comfort food heaven when there’s Pilau on the side.
No wonder most people in the UK can’t imagine a curry night without it.
How Do You Make Pilau Rice That Good?
You won't be the first one to make a mushy mess when you’ve ever tried to make it yourself. You just need to prepare it with care.
A proper Indian Pilau rice recipe starts with good basmati. You need to rinse it well until the water runs clear. This way, you can keep it fluffy. Then, melt a bit of ghee (or butter if that’s what you’ve got) and add a few spices, cumin seeds, cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, maybe a bay leaf.
After that, add sliced onion and cook it until golden. Add the rice after that. Keep stirring until it’s coated in the spiced oil. Add your water or stock, a pinch of salt, and maybe a bit of turmeric for colour, and let it steam gently.
The trick? Just leave it alone and let it do its thing. Don’t keep lifting the lid. When it’s done, fluff it gently. Don’t eat it straight from the pot.
What to Eat Pilau Rice With
You can pair Pilau with nearly everything. It matches well with items such as chicken tikka masala or butter chicken. Lamb rogan josh or vindaloo are an even better pairing, as the spices in the rice mellow out the heat. If you are in Sandycombe, you can order these dishes to pair with Pilau rice from Indian Oven.
Vegetarian curries love it too. You can easily pair paneer korma, chana masala, or dal tadka with Pilau rice and forget about meat entirely.
Some people can also eat Pilau rice on its own with a bit of raita or mango chutney. Honestly, if you’ve had a long day, that’s a proper comforting dinner in itself.
When Plain Rice Still Makes Sense
Plain rice still has its place. Sometimes you just want something simple to go with a curry that already brings a lot to the table. A fiery vindaloo, a spicy jalfrezi, that’s when plain rice does the job. It keeps things balanced. When ordering from Romford, check out the Vindaloo from The Vindaloo.
But most of the time? You know in your gut that Pilau rice is the one you’re craving.
So, Which Should You Pick?
If you’re playing it safe or want your curry to stand out, go for plain rice.
But if you’re after flavour, comfort, and that little touch of restaurant magic, Pilau rice wins hands down.
Next time you’re ordering from your Indian takeaway near you, don’t overthink it. Just go for the Pilau. You’ll thank yourself halfway through your first mouthful.
And if you ever get around to making your own, you’ll see why chefs and curry lovers swear by it. The smell alone is worth the effort.
FAQ: All About Pilau Rice
1. What’s the difference between Pilau rice and plain rice?
Plain rice is just steamed or boiled, while Pilau rice is cooked with spices and ghee, giving it its flavour and aroma.
2. How do you make Pilau rice at home?
Use basmati rice, ghee, and whole spices like cardamom and cinnamon. Let it steam slowly until fluffy. Don’t stir it too much.
3. What curries go best with Pilau rice?
Pretty much anything, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, korma, lamb curry, even veggie ones. It’s hard to go wrong.
4. Is Pilau rice healthy?
It has the same calories as plain rice does, but the ghee makes it slightly richer. Adding the spices in small amounts adds flavour and makes it good for digesting.
5. Can I order Pilau rice from my local takeaway?
Absolutely. Every decent Indian takeaway offers it, and if they don’t, find another one. Seriously.
