What is basmati rice?

What makes rice “basmati”?

UK government commodity guidance describes basmati as long-grain, aromatic, fragrant, slender and non-glutinous, and says it lengthens as it cooks. India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) likewise emphasises extra-long slender grains, aroma and marked lengthwise elongation. “Non-glutinous” describes the grain's starch behaviour; it is not an allergy statement about a finished restaurant dish.

Botanically, rice is Oryza sativa, a grass cultivated across much of the world. Kew identifies rice as a foundational food crop and distinguishes broad long-grain and short-grain cultivar groups. Basmati is a more specific culinary and trade name within that enormous rice family, not a cooking style by itself.

APEDA notes that growing region, harvesting, processing and ageing all contribute to characteristic basmati quality. Cooking method also affects a finished bowl, but our menu does not publish its kitchen method, so this guide explains the category without presenting a supposed house recipe.

Is basmati the same as pillau or biryani?

No. Basmati is rice. Pillau—also written pilau or pulao—is a seasoned rice preparation, while biryani is a more substantial rice-centred dish. Either can be made with basmati, but the words are not interchangeable. Our biryani and pilau guide compares the menu roles in more detail.

The distinction matters when ordering. A side of Pillau Rice supports another main. Lamb or Chicken Pillau Biryani is already a main and arrives with vegetable curry. That difference in format tells you more about the meal than the shared grain does. The Kathmandu Special Pillau Biryani also contains lamb, chicken and prawn and is topped with boiled egg, cashew nuts and brown onions; its description says pillau rice but does not separately use the word basmati, so we do not add it.

Where does basmati appear on our menu?

Lamb Pillau Biryani and Chicken Pillau Biryani each cost £17.95 at publication. Both are described as basmati rice cooked with the named meat and mild oriental spices, served with vegetable curry. Neither carries a printed dietary marker.

Among the accompaniments, Pillau Rice is basmati with a hint of eastern flavour at £3.95. Boiled Rice is plain boiled basmati at £3.15. Both are marked vegetarian and gluten-free. Those descriptions make boiled rice the least elaborated option on paper; they do not reveal every ingredient or preparation detail.

Several set meals include pillau rice, and Vegetable Pillau and Vegetable Rice appear elsewhere, but their descriptions do not explicitly say basmati. The accurate approach is to preserve the wording of the live dine-in menu instead of assuming one grain across every rice dish.

Which rice should you order?

Choose boiled basmati when you want a plain accompaniment that leaves the focus on a richly sauced main. Pillau Rice adds a “hint of eastern flavour” according to the menu and can bring a little more character to a shared spread. A biryani is the rice-led choice: meat and mildly spiced basmati are combined and accompanied by vegetable curry.

For two people sharing several dishes, one rice side can be a sensible starting point, with bread added if wanted. Our first-time ordering guide offers a flexible way to balance starters, mains, vegetables, rice and bread. If you are deciding between accompaniments, the naan, roti and paratha guide explains the bread side of that choice.

Prices and portions can change, and appetite varies. Treat this as planning help rather than a rule; the team can suggest an order for your table.

Is basmati rice gluten-free or vegan?

Plain rice does not itself contain gluten, but restaurant suitability depends on the complete dish and kitchen handling. On our menu, Pillau Rice and Boiled Rice are both specifically marked vegetarian and gluten-free. Neither is marked vegan, so this page does not claim that status. The biryanis do not carry gluten-free or vegetarian markers.

A missing marker is not proof that a dish is unsuitable; it simply means we should not promise suitability from the public menu. Tell the team about coeliac disease, allergies or other requirements before ordering. The Food Standards Agency recommends written allergen information supported by a conversation, especially where cross-contact matters. See our vegetarian and vegan guide for explicitly marked choices.

Common questions about basmati rice

Does basmati always mean pillau rice?

No. Basmati is the grain. It can be boiled plainly or used in preparations such as pillau and biryani.

Is basmati sticky rice?

UK government guidance classifies basmati as non-glutinous and says it lengthens when cooked. Technique still affects the finished texture.

Is your biryani hot?

The Lamb and Chicken Pillau Biryanis are described as using mild oriental spices, but they have no separate printed heat marker. Ask if chilli sensitivity matters.

Can I see current prices?

Yes. Check the live menu; prices here were checked on 18 September 2026.