Have you found yourself wondering what a certain spice is called in Urdu, or vice versa? I do it all the time, especially when I’m trying to buy spices at our local Pakistani grocery store. So to make things a little bit easier, I’ve compiled a list of ingredients that are commonly used in South Asian cooking with their English and corresponsding Urdu names.
SPICES
| English | Urdu |
| Bay Leaf | Tezz Patta |
| Black Cardamom | Kaali Elaichi or Bari Elaichi |
| Black Pepper | Kaali Mirch |
| Cardamom (Green) | Elaichi (Hari) |
| Carom Seeds | Ajwain |
| Cinnamon | Daar Cheeni |
| Cloves | Laung |
| Coriander Powder | Pissa Huwa Dhaniya |
| Coriander Seeds | Sabut Dhaniya |
| Cumin Powder | Pissa Huwa Zeera |
| Cumin Seeds | Sabut Zeera |
| Fennel Seeds | Saunf |
| Fenugreek Leaves (Dried) | Kasuri Methi |
| Fenugreek Seeds | Methi Dana |
| Ginger-Garlic Paste | Pissa Huwa Adrak Lahsan |
| Ginger Powder | Saunth |
| Jaggery | Gur |
| Mango Powder (Dried) | Aamchoor |
| Mustard Seeds | Rai |
| Nigella Seeds | Kalonji |
| Nutmeg | Jaiphal |
| Pomegranate Seeds (Dried) | Anar Dana |
| Red Chilies (Flakes, Crushed) | Kutti Huwi Laal Mirch |
| Red Chili Powder (Cayenne) | Pissi Huwi Laal Mirch |
| Saffron | Zafraan |
| Salt | Namak |
| Sago (Tapioca) | Sabu Dana |
| Star Anise | Badiyan Ka Phool |
| Tamarind | Imli |
| Turmeric | Haldi |
| Vinegar | Sirka |
| Yeast | Khameer |
GRAINS, LENTILS, AND PULSES
| English | Urdu |
| All-Purpse Flour | Maida |
| Basmati Rice | Basmati Chaval |
| Basmati Rice (Parboiled) | Basmati Sela Chaval |
| Bengal Gram | Channa Dal |
| Black Gram (Split and Husked) | Urud Dal |
| Brown Lentils | Sabut Masoor Dal |
| Chapatti Flour | Chapatti Aata |
| Chickpeas (Black) | Kaala Channa |
| Chickpeas (White) | Kabuli Channa |
| Gram Flour | Besan (Ka Aata) |
| Mung Beans (Green Gram and Split) | Moong Dal |
| Pigeon Pea | Toor Dal |
| Red Lentils (Split) | Masoor Dal |
| Semolina | Sooji |