Indian Cuisine – There’s More to It Than Chicken Tikka Masala!
By Mashum Mollah
27 June, 2022
Food
Last Updated on: December 19th, 2024
India is the epitome of ‘Unity in Diversity. Well, she knows people who belong to different cultures and religions. As a result, the traditions of people change every few kilometres! As Indian Cuisine is quite traditional, you can check out its diversity too.
But, as a traveller or a foodie, it might take decades for you to explore even a minor part of India. If you are ready to try the best cuisine in Asia – Indian cuisine is a great place to start.
I am sure you are in a fix, but no problem! Here, I have short-listed ten traditional Indian Dishes that you can try as you take a trip.
Of course, I would always suggest you try the dishes while visiting the country on multiple trips instead of only one.
So, take a look at the list, and you will understand.
List of Indian Spices That Give It The Characteristic Aroma and Flavor!
Before e share the list of all the food that you should try, here’s a list of all the spices that give it the flavor we all know and love:
Cardamom
Green or brown pods from Elettaria cardamomum and Amomum aromaticum, respectively, give the Indian dishes its sweetly spicy flavour.
The pods are usually cracked and placed in the dish.
Sometimes, the entire pod with the seeds is ground and added to tea, sweet and savory dishes.
Aniseed
This spice comes from the Pimpinella anisum plant from the parsley family and has a licorice flavor. The seed is often interchangeably used with fennel seeds.
Both are eaten after a meal to freshen the breath and may be used in certain dishes to add that hint of licorice.
Chili Pepper
This spice is dried and ground into powder, adding a kick of pepper that’s not spicy like red or green chilies.
The most popular chilli in Indian cuisine is the Kashmiri red chilli, however, there are many others.
Clove
The unopened bud of an evergreen tree has an aromatic and spicy character. It is used in savoury and sweet dishes to add a unique flavour.
It can be used whole or as a powder in dishes – from rice to meat dishes and tea, it is a staple in many Indian dishes.
Coriander Seeds
No, it isn’t the cilantro, or coriander leaves we’re referring to here. It’s the coriander seeds that elevate any dish it’s in.
These small, round seeds can be used whole or in powder form.
It is also one of the most common spices.
The Best Traditional Indian Cuisine Dishes to Try Asap!
Many people around the world are concerned with the famous Indian Cuisine. Now, as the history of Indian cuisine is quite long, there is no point in discussing it here.
Rather, you look at the dishes below and try them on your next visit.
1. Vada Pav
Vada Pav is one of the prominent dishes in Indian cuisine. It is actually a snack but eaten by most people as the main course. Vada Pav is nothing but a sandwich which is Mumbai’s favorite. It is made with a pair of buns and a snack made of potato and lentils.
However, the local chutneys always do the magic of boosting the taste of Vada Pavs. Nowadays, Indian people also use chocolate sauce and bar-be-q sauce for flavoring. As a result, Vada Pav is no doubt one of the cheapest Indian food.
2. Masala Dosa
Masala Dosa is yet another prominent dish in the Indian Cuisine. It is a south Indian dish made of rice powder and dusted dal. Moreover, you can stuff the dosa with a simple potato mixture and have it with coconut and tamarind chutneys.
Masala Dosa is so famous that most Indian restaurants serve it. However, to get the best dosa, you need to visit the southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
3. Chaat
Chaat is not one dish, but it is a collective of many snacks. This food traditionally falls under North Indian cuisine. New Delhi, the national capital of India, is well known for Chaat. You can even find it all over the state.
It is made up of boiled potato pancakes, fried bread different types of chutneys, and spicy toppings. You can place it under the masala Indian cuisine as the authentic Indian Chaat is always spicy.
4. Dhokla
Dhokla is traditionally a Gujarati dish made with split chickpeas and rice. Moreover, ingredients like coriander, dry chillies, ginger, and baking soda intensify the taste of Dhokla.
This dish has been a part of royal Indian cuisine for a long time. So, if you want to taste a few items from Indian cuisine, you should not miss Dhokla. This dish has much value in Gujarat as it is made at homes where a happy occasion is about to occur.
Most Dhokla lovers know that it tastes best with coriander chutney. So, you should also go for it.
5. Dal Makhani
Dal is nothing but the Hindi term for lentils. Another traditional Indian cuisine food is Dal Makhani, and you can get it mostly in the north Indian states. It is quite famous among the vegans of the country, and no North Indian wedding is complete without Dal Makhani.
6. Idli
If you are a foodie and end up somewhere in South India, you can get a chance to taste Idli. Well, it is a simple rice pancake that is made by the smoking technique. Unlike Dosa, it is a staple diet for most South Indians. They mostly have it for breakfast and lunch, but you can also have it as a snack.
Traditionally, it is served with coconut chutney and a mixed veg curry named Sambhar. However, you can now find people having Idli with different kinds of curries.
7. Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh is one of the traditional Indian cuisine dishes from Kashmir. It is one of the best-testing mutton dishes originating in India. There are two styles of making the mutton, Rogan Josh. Firstly, the Hindu style, where the whole recipe is made without onion and garlic.
Secondly, the Muslim style where the recipe contains both onion and garlic. When you are cooking Rogan Josh, it is all about extracting the vibrant red colour from the spices.
8. Aloo Paratha
Aloo Paratha is yet another traditional item of Indian cuisine. It is quite famous among the Punjabis. However, people from other creeds also love having Aloo Paratha.
As you roam about the northern or central part of India, you will find Aloo Paratha to be one of the hit tiffin items. The combination of Ghee with Aloo Paratha makes it heavenly.
9. Korma
Korma is basically a curry made with some aromatic spices that are common in the Indian subcontinent. Well, this is traditionally a Mughlai Indian cuisine. You can always expect to get mutton and beef Korma anywhere in India. So, do not forget to taste it while you visit the country. Korma is also important when it comes to Asian Cuisine.
10. Samosa
If you are in India and go for a check on the cheap Indian cuisine menu, you will find the samosa. It is the same as Aloo Paratha but smaller in size. The reason why samosa is so tasty is due to the deep fry. You can hardly find an Indian who has not tasted a Samosa in life. So, you need to taste it too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions that our readers had about Indian cuisine:
At present, kebabs and roti are the most popular food in India. You can now order for them and expect it to get delivered in an hour.
Foods like daal makhani, Dhokla, and Barfi are some traditional dishes from India. You can find these items in Indian eateries and restaurants.
When in India, try not to miss the Chaat from Delhi. The other Indian dishes you should try are the Panipuri and Gulab Jamun. You can go to pet-friendly hotels and taste some of the dishes.
Final Words
So these are some of the best traditional dishes of India, and they together tell the story of Indian cuisine diversity. Remarkably, some old Indian restaurants are still running with the dishes that are gifts of the tradition.
The best you can do is visit India in parts and have an extraordinary food walk. This can lead your tastebuds to take a joyride to heaven.
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