Nothing better than being transported by the aromas and the taste of Indian cuisine. Travelling is also eating, so we leave you with the 14 best dishes of Indian cuisine. The gastronomy of a country is a perfect way, not only to enjoy a good meal but also to know the culture and customs of the place you are travelling.
If you have arrived here, you are probably planning your trip to this fascinating country. So the first thing you have to know is that there are 14 dishes that you should not miss to try the best of this Rich cuisine.
But first of all, we want to explain what Indian cuisine is like and what kind of food you are going to try in this country. In India, the first thing that attracts attention is the taste of spices and condiments, always perfectly combined to enhance the delicious taste of the dishes.
Some of the most characteristic Indian flavours are cayenne, clove, ginger, cardamom or saffron. With a mixture of these and other spices, you get the famous garam masala or the curries that, after all, are the perfect blend of various condiments.
In Indian cuisine, you will find all kinds of stews and vegetables, rice and vegetables, always with curries or masalas. A truly exotic flavour that is sometimes accompanied by chai (tea), one of the country’s flagship drinks that is also served with spices and aromatic herbs.
Indian Starters or Snacks
1. Samosa
The samosas are a typical dish of India but also of other near countries like Pakistan or the Tibet. It is a dish that is also common in Indian restaurants in Europe. Inside the samosa, there is a potato filling accompanied by vegetables.
The texture of the outer dough is very crispy and served fried. Like many dishes in the country, it is a vegetarian snack.
2. Masala Dosa
The masala dosa is a kind of crêpe or galette rolled with potatoes, onion, curry, turmeric, cilantro, rice and lentils. It is a forceful dish since inside this crêpe there are many more ingredients hidden, accompanied by coconut chutney.
This dish is vegetarian and also has a spicy point — the famous dish from southern India known as South Indian Dosa.
Is usually served in two different sizes. It is a dish that is eaten with bare hands, and you can find it in street stalls as well as in restaurants.
3. Chole Bhature
When you are in Delhi, the capital of India, you can not miss the chole bhature. It is a fried bread that is swollen and eaten with chole, a paste of spicy chickpeas and spices. This combination is designed for you to dip the bread in the chole and enjoy a pleasant contrast between the milder flavour of the bread and the spiciness of the sauce.
This dish is originally from Punjab and is usually eaten as a quick meal or for breakfast. If you take it as breakfast you will see that it is often accompanied by lassi, a drink made with coconut, water, spices, yoghurt and, sometimes, fruit.
4. Bhelpuri
This snack is made with a base of chickpea flour noodles, puffed rice and tamarind sauce. Sometimes it is served in cone format with a teaspoon and can be taken while visiting the city.
It is usual to see it in Bombay, especially in the beach area, where people come to take this tasty snack.
5. Kati Roll
If you want to try an authentic kebab, sure the Kati rolls will enchant you: a dough of paratha bread rolled with vegetables inside.
It is also common to find Kati rolls with chicken meat. It is taken accompanied by a refreshing sauce, lime or lemon or chaat masala, a mixture of spices containing powdered mango.
6. Daulat ki Chaat
The Daulat ki chaat is a kind of soufflé – as the Indian food critic Pushpesh Pant calls it – made with milk, cream, sugar, pistachios and spices like saffron. It is especially prevalent in the city of Delhi, especially when the temperatures are pleasant since the heat undoes it.
Typical Main Indian Dishes
7. Kashmiri Aloo Dum
Kashmiri Aloo Dum is a vegetarian dish based on potatoes. It is a recipe that is part of the traditional culinary culture of the Kashmir region, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the north of the country. Even so, this dish can be eaten throughout the country in different versions.
To prepare the Kashmiri Aloo Dum what they do is first fry the potatoes in oil and then slowly cook them in a unique spicy sauce that adds a touch of grace to the dish.
8. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is a popular dish in Southeast Asian cuisine. It consists of a chicken roasted in the oven with spices. In fact, tandoor means clay oven and is cooked with wood and charcoal.
The mixture of species with which the chicken is cooked is called tandoori masala. This mixture can consist of coriander, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, pepper, ginger, clove and bay leaf, among others. But you must bear in mind that the proportions and number of species of the tandoori masala will vary according to the region of India in which you find yourself.
9. Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala has come to the West as one of the most international Indian recipes. Despite this, there is nothing like tasting an authentic tikka masala chicken in India, where you can try the real recipe of this favorite dish.
This dish is made up of chicken tikka – that is, chicken marinated with yoghurt and spices cooked in the oven – and masala sauce. Masala literally means ” mixture of spices “, so the dish has a very aromatic flavour. It is cooked, also, with tomato sauce and coconut milk.
Indian Sweets
10. Mithaa paan
In the north of India, especially in towns like Bombay, Agra or in the area of Rajasthan, you can find the mithaa paan. The paan is formed by a rolled betel leaf that contains other ingredients, customarily salted.
In the case of mithaa paan, the flavour is sweet (thanks to the fresh fennel, cardamom or coconut, depending on the recipe) and for this reason, it is exceptionally pleasant for adults.
There are some scriptures in the cookbook Nimmatnama-i Nasiruddin-Shahi that already describe paan recipes, so it is a kind of centennial dish that has lasted to this day.
11. Jalebi
When walking through an Indian city, you see a dessert in the shape of a flower or a spiral, and you will surely be in front of the well-known jalebi. These sweets are made with maida flour, sugar and oil and are bathed in a syrup with cardamom, saffron and lemon, which gives them a very characteristic flavour.
The jalebi is also known as zulbia and is popular in several Asian and North African countries. They are served cold and sometimes tempered, and when you bite them, you will notice the small sugar crystals inside. They are usually accompanied by lemon juice or rose water.
12. Falooda
And if what you are looking for is a refreshing drink, a perfect alternative is the falooda. This drink is made with milk, basil seeds, ice cream, vermicelli noodles, fruit and ice cream.
A mixture that may be curious for the traveller but is widespread in northern India or Myanmar. There are some variants of this drink that are accompanied by some type of syrup, such as rose water.
Typical Indian drinks
13. Masala chai
For breakfast or after dinner, an excellent option to finish the meal is with a good masala chai. The vendors of travelling tea sell it, especially during the evening when the workers return to their homes and take it on the way.
Masala chai is a tea that is boiled with water and milk accompanied by various spices, such as cardamom, cloves or pepper.
14. Chaas
Chaas is a typical drink throughout the country. It is characterized by being a drink made from yoghurt, which gives it a slightly creamy texture, cold water, salt and spices like cumin. The yoghurt can be of the day or yoghurt that is already a bit sour, which will give it a slightly stronger flavour.
In India, it is believed that this drink has digestive properties. Its flavour is refreshing, perfect for the hottest days in India. It is taken all year round, especially in summer, accompanied by ice.
So, Have you planned of travelling to India? Discover our itineraries and start preparing an unforgettable trip to India!