naan
Naan is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread commonly found in the cuisines of Central and South Asia. Its most distinctive characteristic is being cooked inside a tandoor—a cylindrical clay oven—which gives it a slightly charred, bubbly texture and a soft, chewy interior. It is a staple side dish often served with curries, kebabs, or dals. You will typically find it brushed with ghee or butter, and it is sometimes topped with garlic, cilantro, or stuffed with fillings like cheese or minced meat. It is a very informal, comforting food meant to be torn by hand and used as a scoop for other dishes.
In conversation
Ordering at a restaurant
Could we get two orders of garlic naan for the table?
Could we get two orders of garlic naan for the table?
Of course, would you like that with extra butter?
Of course, would you like that with extra butter?
Naan is almost always ordered as a shareable side for the table.
Cooking at home
I'm trying to make curry tonight, but I don't have any bread.
I'm trying to make curry tonight, but I don't have any bread.
Do you want to run to the store? I’m craving some warm naan.
Do you want to run to the store? I’m craving some warm naan.
Naan is frequently contrasted with rice as a preferred starch for dipping.
Examples
I love dipping naan into my butter chicken sauce.
I love dipping naan into my butter chicken sauce.
The restaurant serves fresh, hot naan straight from the tandoor.
The restaurant serves fresh, hot naan straight from the tandoor.
Nothing beats the combination of garlic-infused naan and a spicy, aromatic lentil dal.
Nothing beats the combination of garlic-infused naan and a spicy, aromatic lentil dal.
