What Is Naan? A Guide to Indian Naan Bread
Naan is a soft, leavened Indian flatbread traditionally cooked in a very hot tandoor. It is usually made from refined wheat flour and is known for its soft centre, lightly charred surface and slightly chewy texture.
It is one of the best-known Indian breads and is commonly served alongside curries, grilled dishes and other dishes that benefit from something warm and bread-like to scoop up sauces.
At The Dhabba in Merchant City, Glasgow, naan is part of the restaurant’s selection of Indian breads, alongside Lehsuni Naan and Peshawari Naan.
What Is Naan?
Naan is a leavened flatbread made from wheat flour. Unlike some Indian breads that are cooked on a flat pan, naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a very hot clay oven.
The dough is shaped into a flat round or oval and cooked at high heat. The result is a bread with a soft interior and a lightly blistered, charred surface.
The word “naan” is used in several parts of South and Central Asia, and the bread has become closely associated with Indian restaurant cooking around the world.
How Is Naan Traditionally Cooked?
The traditional cooking method is an important part of what makes naan different from many other flatbreads.
Naan dough is shaped by hand and placed against the hot inner wall of a tandoor. The intense heat cooks the bread quickly, while the surface develops characteristic bubbles and patches of light charring.
The tandoor is also used for many other types of Indian cooking. At The Dhabba, the restaurant’s menu includes a dedicated tandoori section featuring dishes such as Paneer Tikka, Malai Murg, Macchi Tikka and Tandoori Sangam.
This is one reason naan and tandoori cooking naturally belong together: the same type of oven can be used to create both breads and grilled dishes.
What Does Naan Taste Like?
Naan is generally soft and mildly flavoured, making it useful alongside dishes with stronger flavours.
Its texture is one of its defining characteristics. A freshly cooked naan can have a soft, slightly chewy centre with areas of char on the outside.
Different toppings and fillings can change the flavour considerably. Garlic, herbs, spices, seeds, cheese and sweet ingredients can all be used in different styles of naan.
The type of naan you choose can therefore change the character of a meal without overpowering the curry or other dish it is served with.
Naan vs Roti: What's the Difference?
Naan and roti are both popular Indian breads, but they are made and cooked differently.
Naan is generally a leavened bread made from refined wheat flour and is traditionally cooked in a tandoor.
Roti is usually a simpler flatbread made from whole-wheat flour and cooked on a flat cooking surface known as a tawa, although techniques and recipes vary by region.
The difference can also be felt when eating them. Naan tends to be softer and more substantial, while roti is generally lighter and more straightforward.
At The Dhabba, the bread selection includes both Naan and Tandoori Roti, giving diners different options to accompany their meal.
What Are the Different Types of Naan?
There are many variations of naan, and recipes can differ between regions, households and restaurants.
Plain Naan
Plain naan is the simplest version. It allows the flavour and texture of the bread itself to take centre stage and works well with a wide range of curries and other dishes.
Garlic Naan
Garlic naan is topped with garlic and often herbs. The garlic adds a stronger, savoury flavour to the bread.
At The Dhabba, this style is available as Lehsuni Naan, which is topped with fresh garlic and herbs.
Peshawari Naan
Peshawari Naan is a sweeter style of naan traditionally associated with a filling containing ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts or seeds, although recipes vary.
The Dhabba’s Peshawari Naan has a sweet filling made with semolina, coconut, dates, cardamom and fennel.
Because of its sweeter character, Peshawari Naan offers a very different experience from a savoury garlic naan.
Stuffed and Flavoured Naan
Across Indian and South Asian cooking, naan can also be made with different fillings or toppings.
The exact ingredients depend on the recipe and restaurant, which is why it is worth checking the menu when deciding what to order.
What Do You Eat Naan With?
Naan is particularly useful with dishes that have a sauce or gravy.
It can be served alongside:
- Indian curries
- slow-cooked dishes
- paneer dishes
- tandoori dishes
- vegetable curries
- lamb and chicken dishes
The soft bread can be used to scoop up sauces and combine different parts of a meal.
There is no single correct pairing. A simple naan can work with a rich curry, while a flavoured or filled naan can add another layer to the meal.
Naan at The Dhabba in Glasgow
Naan is part of The Dhabba’s Indian bread selection.
The current menu includes:
Naan – a classic refined-flour Indian bread.
Lehsuni Naan – naan topped with fresh garlic and herbs.
Peshawari Naan – naan with a sweet filling of semolina, coconut, dates, cardamom and fennel.
The restaurant also offers Tandoori Roti, a whole-wheat bread baked in the tandoor.
You can explore the current selection and the rest of The Dhabba’s Indian menu on the Our Menus page.
Which Naan Should You Try?
It depends on what you enjoy.
For something simple and versatile, plain naan is an easy choice.
For a stronger savoury flavour, Lehsuni Naan adds garlic and herbs.
For something sweeter and quite different from a standard naan, Peshawari Naan is worth considering.
The best choice also depends on what else you are ordering. A rich curry, grilled dish or vegetable preparation can each pair differently with your bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is naan an Indian bread?
Yes. Naan is a South Asian flatbread that is especially associated with Indian restaurant cooking and is traditionally prepared in a tandoor.
Is naan the same as roti?
No. Although both are Indian breads, naan and roti differ in their ingredients, preparation and traditional cooking methods.
Is naan cooked in a tandoor?
Traditional naan is commonly cooked in a tandoor, where the very high heat cooks the dough quickly and creates its characteristic texture and lightly charred surface.
What is Lehsuni Naan?
Lehsuni Naan is garlic naan. At The Dhabba, the current menu describes it as naan topped with fresh garlic and herbs.
What is Peshawari Naan?
Peshawari Naan is a sweet-style naan. At The Dhabba, it contains a filling made with semolina, coconut, dates, cardamom and fennel.
What should I eat with naan?
Naan can be served with many Indian dishes, particularly curries, paneer dishes, vegetable dishes and other preparations with sauces or gravies.
Visit The Dhabba
If you’re searching for authentic Indian food in Glasgow, we’d love to welcome you to The Dhabba.
Visit us at:
The Dhabba
44 Candleriggs
Merchant City
Glasgow G1 1LD
Book your table today or call us on +44 141 553 1249
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