The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Bengali Food
Bangladesh is a densely populated country located between India and Southeast Asia. The five countries with the most similar food often eat rice-based dishes and use vibrant spices. These countries are all located in tropical regions. They also have an abundant amount of coastline, so fish and coconuts are common ingredients in their cuisines.
- India and Bangladesh used to be part of the same country, so it is no wonder these countries have similar food. Nevertheless, food in India has significant differences with food in Bangladesh, since its cuisine is more diverse and has regional variation. Overall, Indians tend to eat relatively less fish and more bread than Bengalis.
- Sri Lanka also borders the Indian Ocean. Both countries incorporate seafood into their diets, with fish, shrimp, and crab being popular ingredients. In addition, coconuts are a common ingredient in both Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan cuisine. A variety of spices and herbs, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili peppers, are used by both nations.
- Malaysia has many immigrants from South Asia. Both countries were under British colonial rule at different points in time. The British facilitated the exchange of food culture across their colonies, leading to some shared ingredients. Rice is central to their dishes like Nasi Lemak, which is often served with sambal, fried fish, and boiled eggs.
- Indonesia is very similar to Malaysia. Bangladesh and Indonesia both have significant Muslim populations, so their cuisines have been influenced by Islamic dietary laws. uisines make extensive use of spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili. The use of a wide variety of spices to create complex flavors is central to both culinary traditions.
- Thailand and Bangladesh have cuisines that exhibit some interesting parallels. Rice is a staple in both countries, while spicy and sour flavors are common there. Both cuisines incorporate seafood and spices. In Thai cuisine, “Kaeng Som Pla” or sour fish curry is similar to Bengali cuisine with its fish curries, such as “Shorshe Ilish” and “Machher Jhol”.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Bangladesh
The Least Similar Cuisines to Bengali Food
With the exception of Chad, the majority of the people in the countries with the least similar food to Bangladesh are Christian. In addition, rice is not a typical staple consumed in these countries. Three of the five are landlocked countries in Africa.
- Central African Republic is a former French colony. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make up a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Bangladesh, despite the fact that they both have tropical climates.
- Chad is another former colony of France located in Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains there. These crops are well adapted to the region’s harsh climate. Beef is the most popular meat, but lamb meat is also often eaten there. Peanuts and sesame seeds are also common ingredients in their cuisine.
- South Sudan separated from Sudan, since its ethnic groups felt marginalized and underrepresented in the predominantly Arab and Muslim government of Sudan. In contrast to Bangladesh, cassava and sorghum are the staple foods in South Sudan. Its cuisine tends to be more rustic and hearty than Bengali’s.
- Papua New Guinea is a country in Melanesia. The country’s diet is much more reliant on sweet potato, yam, and taro than Bangladesh. Furthermore, mangoes are more commonly consumed in Papua New Guinea.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It relies extremely heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops as a result. The country’s relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Bangladesh
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Bangladesh’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Freshwater Fish, Egg
Fruit: Mango, Banana
Vegetable: Onion, Tomato
Starch: Rice, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.