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 |