India Food Guide: Dig Into the Delicacies of India
India is a foodies paradise offering delectable dishes from varied regions. Each state has its own speciality cuisine that goes best with its weather and geographical conditions. A delightful amalgamation of herbs, spices and flavours, India is a connoisseur of delicious food. Whether it is savouring the regional delectables or munching on street food, relishing the desserts or treating your taste buds to the popular dishes, this food guide will help you decode the Indian cuisine.
Region-Wise Cuisine
North India
Extreme Up North, close to the Himalayas, the food preparations include the herbs and plants found in the cold region. The Himalayan region will normally have dumplings, momos, yak cheese, and a variety of soups to keep you warm in the cold weather. The Kashmiri cuisine is a hit which serves numerous preparations of mutton like Mutton Roganjosh. Dum aloo and the popular Kashmiri pulao are equally relished by tourists. Makke di Roti, Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) preparation, Rajma Chawal, kebabs and Mughlai preparations are popular here.
West India
The traditional Gujarathi, Rajasthani and Maharashtrian dishes take over in this region. The popular vada pav, puran poli, a flatbread made with sweet stuffings, and a variety of curries of different states, Kadhai Chawal (rice with curd preparation), Dal Bati churma, Gatte ki sabji, buttermilk, Gujarathi kadhi, seafood preparations of Goa are finger licking good.
South India
The South of India is a rice-eating region. Steamed rice with almost all types of curries and lentil stew is a common way to eat. Dosa, Idli and fish preparations are common here.
East India
The Bengali cuisine is a must try, which serves fish cooked in mustard preparation, potato, prawns delicacies made in traditional style. The desserts of Kolkata are sure to tickle your taste buds.
Popular Dishes to Try
Thali
The typical way of eating food in India is to have it served in a Thali style. The ancients and royals are all known to savour their thalis. Thali includes different preparations of vegetables, lentils, salad, a variety of curries served in a bowl, rice, Indian bread, mostly roti with a dash of Ghee and a dessert. Pickles, papads and chutneys are the common siders you will find with many dishes as well as a Thali. You can also find a non-vegetarian thali but the Vegetarian thali surely has an authentic taste you must not miss. Traditional Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis are a must-try.
Recommended Outlets
Indique the rooftop at Pal Haveli, Jodhpur
Biryani
A steaming preparation of rice with marinated meat (mutton, chicken or fish) and a mix of whole spices, Biryani is a beloved dish in India. The aroma itself is tantalising and you are sure to be left licking your fingers for the goodness this dish comes with. Biryani is easily found across many restaurants; however, Hyderabad is the city to indulge in authentic biryani.
Recommended outlets
- Paradise Restaurant, Hyderabad
- Idris Biryani, Lucknow
- Arsalan Biryani, Kolkata
Masala Dosa and Idli Sambar
There is no better way to start your mornings than with a hot piping masala dosa with a tasty lentil stew and coconut chutney. Stuffed with delicious potato veggies, this crispy pancake is super light on your stomach.
The flat rice balls, Idli, are steamed and served with lentil stew, and coconut chutney is the most loved breakfast in the south.
Recommended Outlets
- Murugan Idli Chennai
- Sagar Ratna New Delhi
- Hotel Saravana Bhavna Chennai
- Mavallai Tiffin Rooms and Central Tiffin Rooms Bangalore
Chicken Delicacies
A variety of grilled chicken starters, Butter chicken, Tandoor, a spicy preparation baked in an oven, Chicken Karahi ( wok) and many dishes inspired by Mughal cuisine are easily found across restaurants and are best enjoyed with rice or flatbreads.
Rice Preparations
Mostly, white steamed rice is served with different curries, but you can also opt for the popular jeera rice tossed in cumin seeds and served with a healthy lentil preparation. Vegetable pulav, rice cooked with a mixture of vegetables or rice cooked in a mud pot with meat, is a favourite among many. Rice with curd or rasam/ sambar lentil stew is also a way one can enjoy the rice.
Indian Breads
Curries, vegetables and meat preparations taste delicious with the Indian Breads. There is a variety when it comes to bread, which is made out of different types of dough and rolled to fry on a pan or oven-baked. All the flat breads are made with water and dough unless it is a paratha which comes with a variety of vegetable fillings. Plain chapati, butter roti or garlic naan, you can try any of these to savour your curries. Easily available across restaurants.
Popular Street Food to try
Vada Pav is a popular street food found easily across Mumbai. The Indian version of Burger, the patty is made with fried spicy potato filling cushioned between a soft piece of bread often eaten with fried chilli or chutney. To make it less spicy, you can often skip the chilli or chutney.
Chaat is a delicious blend of puffed rice with finely chopped tomatoes and onion along with a tangy and spicy chutney. Another light and mouthwatering chaat to savour is the Paani Puri, also known as puchka or gol gappe, which is a yummy filling of potato with sweet and spicy tangy water poured inside a crispy fried ball of dough. You can always ask the vendor to keep it sweet or less spicy as you desire.
Chole Bhature, Dhokla, Misal Pav, and Pav Bhaaji are other popular street foods to relish, which can also be found at many restaurants.
Recommended outlets
- Bylanes of Old Delhi
- Mumbai beachfront vendors
Tickle Your Taste Buds with The Tantalising Desserts of India
Indians have a sweet tooth and meals are incomplete without a delightful dessert. The soft and sweet preparations are in much demand during festivals; however, with sweet marts across the cities, it is easy to buy and indulge as you like. Please check the reviews of the Sweet Mart if you plan to buy from outside the restaurant.
Most sweets are milk-based and have sugar, dry fruits, and fruits. There are a variety of ladoos ( round balls) barfi ( flat sweet) made with different ingredients and melt in the mouth, bursting flavours with each bite.
Gulab jamun, small fried balls of dough dipped generously in sugar syrup, are a treat to your senses and can be combined with a dollop of ice cream. The spiral jalebi is a crunchy sweet dipped in sugar syrup which tastes best when eaten hot. Agra Petha which is like a cube that gets juicy with every bite. Mishti Doi (sweet curd) and Roshogolla ( sweet prepared from cottage cheese) are the popular sweets of Kolkata.
You must try Kheer, a rice pudding that simply melts in your mouth, known as payasam, popularly found in South India. Apart from these, there are numerous other sweets and desserts to relish, which can easily be a part of your buffet.
Indians love to chew paan post meals. The sweet mixture is filled inside a betel leaf and served with coconut topping. Make sure you ask for a meetha paan ( sweet paan) as other paan includes tobacco.
Recommended Outlets
Chandra Das & Sons sweetshop in Kolkata in Sobha Bazaar.
Things to Keep in Mind
Avoid tap water and drink only bottled water. You can also carry a refillable bottle and take water from the RO purifiers installed at most hotels. Your stomach may not be able to digest tap water, which may lead to diarrhoea or typhoid.
Before travelling, check with the doctor if you have any allergies or any precautionary medicines, they can suggest so the stomach bug does not spoil your trip.
Do not eat raw salad and fruits unless you are sure it was not washed under the regular tap water.
If travelling during summer, you need to keep yourself well hydrated due to heat. Keep sipping electrolytes added to water to keep up with the sunny weather.
Most Indian dishes are enjoyed by hand. Do not shy away from trying to eat with your hands after you wash them well. Use your right hand to eat, as eating with your left hand is forbidden. Food in the plate has to be finished so ensure to serve yourself portions you can finish especially if you are eating at a residence of a local.
The aroma of spicy food is mesmerising and the curries and dishes tempting. However, refrain from indulging in all things spicy to begin with as it can upset your stomach. The restaurants would always be happy to serve Indian dishes with less spice, so always make that request. If, towards the end of the journey, you think you can handle spice, you can dig into the real hot and spicy dishes.
Meat lovers should certainly give the vegetarian delicacies a try. Also, beef is banned in India, and the meat you can get includes chicken, goat meat and seafood.
