Whose side are you on?

Two nations fight to claim jollof rice. One dessert nearly set off a war. 10 dishes we just can't stop fighting over

-  Arshia Dhar

1 Nigeria and Ghana over jollof rice. The two West African nations feud over food, football and governance. But the fiercest battles are over who makes a meaner jollof rice. In Nigeria, they use long-grain rice in a rich tomato sauce and stock, and add chicken, fish cuts, plantain and salad. In Ghana, they use fragrant Thai jasmine rice, ginger-garlic paste blended in sauce, anise, nutmeg and rosemary. Delicious either way.

2 Peshawar and Delhi over butter chicken. This might be the most delicious court-battle of the century (It's being heard at the Delhi High Court). Delhi restaurant chains Moti Mahal and Daryaganj are fighting over who invented it. The former claims to trace their recipe to Peshawar, in modern-day Pakistan. The latter says it was born in Delhi. We suggest grabbing a plate of it while watching the showdown unfold.

3 Mumbai and Kolkata over pani puri or phuchka. Who makes crisper puris? Who has better filling? How flavourful is the spiced water? How many can one gobble up by the street? In the West, locals prefer ragda and tangy mint water. In Kolkata there's spicy potato and black chickpea in the puris and tamarind water. It's a bloodless fight. Both sides are too busy eating.