Food in India

India beckons travelers with its vibrant tapestry of cultures, historical landmarks, and diverse landscapes. But it's the country's cuisine that truly encapsulates the essence of its rich heritage. Indian cuisine, characterized by its intricate blend of spices and flavors, is an integral part of the nation's identity. For the gastronomically adventurous tourist, India offers an endless array of regional dishes that tell the story of its past and present. Discover the must-try Indian dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and provide an authentic taste of this enchanting subcontinent.

Indian Dishes

Biryani

Biryani is a fragrant rice dish with origins in the Indian subcontinent. It is made with basmati rice, spices, and a choice of meat (chicken, mutton, beef, prawn, or fish), or for vegetarians, an assortment of vegetables or paneer. The rice and meat or vegetables are layered in a pot and cooked together, resulting in a dish bursting with flavors and aromas. Each region in India has its own version of biryani, with Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, and Kolkata biryani being some of the most popular variants.

Masala Dosa

Masala dosa is a South Indian staple consisting of a crispy, rice-batter crepe filled with a spiced mixture of mashed potatoes. It is typically served with a duo of chutneys (coconut and tomato) and a bowl of sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew. This dish is a favorite for breakfast and as a light lunch or dinner.

Butter Chicken

Originally from Delhi, butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a rich and creamy curry that has gained popularity across the globe. Tender chunks of marinated chicken are cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, cream, and a blend of spices including garam masala, cumin, and coriander. It is best enjoyed with naan or rice.

Chole Bhature

Chole bhature is a popular Punjabi dish that is a hit across India. It consists of spicy chickpeas (chole) and deep-fried bread made from maida flour (bhature). Often eaten as a breakfast or lunch, it is a hearty meal that is both satisfying and flavorful.

Rogan Josh

Originating from Kashmir, rogan josh is a staple of Indian cuisine. This aromatic curry is made with pieces of lamb or goat braised with a gravy flavored with garlic, ginger, and a variety of spices like cloves, bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Its deep red color traditionally comes from dried flowers or root of Alkanet tree (Ratanjot), but nowadays, it may come from paprika and chili powders.

Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a vegetarian dish from North India, featuring paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a thick paste made from pureed spinach, seasoned with garlic, garam masala, and other spices. It is a nutritious dish that is commonly enjoyed with flatbreads such as roti or naan, or with rice.

Samosa

A ubiquitous snack throughout India, the samosa is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils. Its size and consistency may vary, but it’s typically shaped into a triangle or cone. Samosas are often served with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.

Dal Makhani

Dal makhani is a hearty dish from the Punjab region. It is made with black lentils and red kidney beans, which are slow-cooked with butter, cream, and a mix of spices including cumin and coriander. It is a rich and buttery dal (lentil) dish that is often served with naan or rice.

Pani Puri

Pani puri is a popular street snack that consists of a round, hollow puri (a deep-fried crisp crepe), filled with a mixture of flavored water (pani), tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, or chickpeas. It is a tantalizing treat that bursts with flavor in your mouth.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is a dish of roasted chunks of chicken tikka in a spicy sauce. The sauce is usually creamy, orange-colored, and includes tomatoes, cream, coconut cream, and various spices. It is among the most popular Indian dishes and has also become a staple in British cuisine.

Indian Desserts

Gulab Jamun

Gulab jamun are soft, spongy, and melt-in-your-mouth dessert balls made of milk solids, flour, and a leavening agent. They are then deep-fried and soaked in a light sugar syrup flavored with green cardamom and rose water, kewra or saffron. It is a celebratory dessert often served at festivals, weddings, and special occasions.

Jalebi

Jalebi is a sweet and sticky dessert made by deep-frying maida flour batter in pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. They are bright orange or yellow in color, have a chewy texture with a crystallized sugary coating. Jalebi is typically enjoyed warm or cold and is a common street food sweet.

Rasgulla

Rasgulla is a classic sweet from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena (an Indian cottage cheese) and semolina dough, cooked in light sugar syrup until the syrup permeates the dumplings. The result is a juicy and soft dessert that is refreshing and not overly sweet.

Kheer

Kheer, also known as rice pudding, is a dish made by boiling rice, broken wheat, tapioca, or vermicelli with milk and sugar. It is flavored with cardamom, raisins, saffron, cashews, pistachios, or almonds. It is typically served during meals and also as an offering to gods during worship.

Ladoo

Ladoos are ball-shaped sweets popular across India. They are made of flour, ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and other ingredients that vary by recipe, such as chopped nuts or dried raisins. Some common types of ladoos include besan ladoo, made with gram flour, and boondi ladoo, made with tiny fried droplets of chickpea flour.