On the far edge of the Indian Ocean, in a forgotten corner of wartime history, lies a lesser-explored possibility: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These remote islands, once a strategic outpost for Japanese forces, are steeped in stories of hidden tunnels, lost wartime ships, and secret caches of wealth. Could this be the site of a second, unsearched trove of Japanese treasure?
Let us be clear: there are no hotels or restaurants that serve native Nicobari food. No menus will list "wild boar curry" or "bamboo-cooked seafood." These dishes are not for sale. They are expressions of home and hospitality. The only way to taste them is to be invited to sit cross-legged in a Nicobari home.
Andaman biryani is not your typical biryani. Unlike the more common ghee-heavy varieties of North India, it’s lighter and delicately spiced, perfectly suited to the humid climate of the islands. The dish reflects the fusion of several regional influences: the mustard tang of Bengali cuisine, the heat of Tamil spices, the rich marinades of North Indian biryani, and even hints of Southeast Asian flavors.