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- More Of The Best Indian Foods
India is a beautiful subcontinent known for many things. Not only are thousands of cultures present in India, but over 900 dialects and languages have emerged from this nation's population. One of the most widely renowned things India is known for, however, is its food. Although the cuisines differ from town to town and region to region, many dishes have gained more popularity than others. With that being said, here are fifteen of the best Indian foods you need to try and can probably purchase at a local Indian restaurant near you.
UPDATE: 2023/01/06 21:23 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Of The Best Indian Foods
India is a phenomenally large and diverse country, and it is impossible to do justice to Indian cuisine in a single article. This list was updated to include more of the delicious (and interesting) food and drink to try while in India. A special entry was also added of how to eat Indian food as this is considered an important part of dining and enjoying the flavors of the food while in India.
Indian food is renowned worldwide and served in restaurants globally. Several dishes, each with a unique taste, are worth trying when looking for Indian food. This list was updated to include additional delicious Indian dishes, such as the Aloo Gobi and Chana Masala.
15 Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken or Makhan Murg in Hindi is one of the most popular Indian dishes. Makhan, in Hindi, stands for Butter, and Murg means chicken, which literally translates to butter chicken. Initially originating in the northern Indian state of Punjab, butter chicken features a beautifully cooked chicken mixed in with a tomato curry sauce, resulting in a famous curry that has gained international fame. Butter chicken was accidentally invented in the Moti Mahal restaurant in New Delhi when leftover chicken pieces were mixed with sauce. This dish is enjoyed with naan, roti, or even with rice.
14 Dal Tadka
Dal Tadka is also a trendy Indian dish that has garnered domestic fame and international fame. Dal Tadka was initially made with burnt charcoal to give it a smoky flavor but since then has changed to be one of the most simple dishes in the world. Making Dal Tadka is a simple process that involves steaming lentils or the dal and then seasoning it with traditional Indian spices such as cumin, garlic, and ghee. Dal Tadka goes easy on the spices, just enough to give it a good flavor but not enough to make it intolerable.
13 Chaat
Next up on this list of the best Indian foods is a broad category of street foods known as chaat. Chaat in India is typically sold from makeshift stands on the sides of busy streets and is a famous dinner or snack for all sorts of people ranging from children to office workers to the elderly. Among the most popular types of chaats are Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, and Samosa Chaat. Although chaats are very susceptible to change based on the region you may be visiting, the foods mentioned above are common and can be found almost anywhere you go in India.
12 Samosa
Next up on this list are the classic samosas. A samosa can differ in shape, size, and fillings based on the region but have the same basics no matter where they are found. Samosas are basically Indian calzones. They feature a crusty exterior that is deep-fried and is filled with a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, meats, or lentils that are heavily seasoned. Samosas are served alongside mint sauce, tamarind sauce, and spicy green sauce, which compliments the samosa well. Samosas are found in India and can be found in the Middle East.
11 Masala Chai
Next is not food, but rather a type of tea. One of the most traditional and most classic staples of Indian foods is Masala Chai. Masala Chai differs from the traditional British or American teas that most people are accustomed to. Masala Chai starts with fresh tea leaves derived from the tea plantations of Assam or West Bengal. The black tea leaves are then steeped in hot water and mixed with shredded ginger and cardamom seeds to hint at spiciness. Following the brewing process, milk is added, and it is served hot and fresh.
10 Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is another North Indian dish that may have been around in 3000 BC. Tandoori Chicken derives its name from the vessel it's cooked in, known as a Tandoor Oven. It is a cylindrical-shaped oven that is powered by burning wood or charcoal. The Tandoor Oven is made of either clay or metal and offers a distinct taste to meals cooked within it. Tandoori Chicken consists of chicken marinated for a few days in a mixture of yogurt and tandoori masala, a blend of traditional Indian spices. Following this, the chicken is then cooked.
9 Matar Paneer
Next up is the classic Matar Paneer. In Hindi, Matar translates to peas, and Paneer refers to a fresh cheese made in India, one of the main ingredients in this dish. Matar Paneer is a North Indian dish consisting of peas and paneer cooked in a mild tomato sauce like the Butter Chicken, except Matar Paneer is seasoned with Garam Masala, a blend of ground spices. Matar Paneer is traditionally served with Indian bread such as naan or aloo paratha but is also eaten by some with rice. Sometimes, other ingredients such as potatoes may be added.
8 Dhokla
Coming from the Indian state of Gujarat is the Dhokla. Dhoklas are made with fermented batter derived from split chickpeas and rice and can be eaten for virtually any course. Dhoklas are eaten in India as side dishes, for breakfast, as the main course, and even as a snack at events such as parties and weddings. Dhoklas are best served with green mint sauce and a sweet tamarind sauce and are usually yellow. Dhoklas have many variations to them. They can be prepared with various ingredients with different ratios of chickpeas.
7 Vada Pav
Next up is food that first originated as street food and is sold in restaurants across India and the rest of the world today, Vada Pav. The Vada refers to a deep-fried potato fritter placed between two pieces of bread, the pav. Due to this dish's resemblance to a sandwich or a burger is commonly known as the Bombay burger because of its origin in the North Indian city of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. The Vada Pav is served with chutneys such as green sauces and tamarind sauces. Alongside the Pav is also a green chili.
6 Rogan Josh
Finally on this list is Rogan Josh. Rogan Josh is a North Indian dish with Muslim influences and first originated in Persia or Kashmir. Rogan Josh is a meat curry dish that features a lump of red meat such as lamb or goat, which is colored and flavored by alkanet flowers or roots and Kashmiri chillis. Rogan Josh is prepared by both Muslims and Hindus, with significant differences in how it is prepared. Rogan Josh is best served with naan or any other Indian bread. It should also be mentioned that Rogan Josh is a staple in British restaurants.
5 Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is an Indian food served in restaurants worldwide, and it's also one of the easiest Indian and vegan recipes to prepare. It is worth trying the dish with fresh bread, such as roti or naan, and cool cucumber raita. Moreover, the packed with flavor Aloo Gobi can be served as a main or side dish. The meal consists of cauliflower curry and potato recipe that originated from the region of Punjab, which lies to the Northern side of India. Aloo is potato in Urdu, and Gobi is cauliflower.
4 Chana Masala
Chana Masala must be added to every Indian spread to give it a magical and unforgettable taste. This meal originated from Punjab in the North of India and consists of mixed spice chickpeas. The Chana Masala contains amchoor powder, coriander, and several powdered and fresh chilies. Moreover, this dish is high in fiber and protein, thanks to its chickpeas. The latter are cooked in a spicy and fragrant tomato sauce, to which is added garam masala, a unique blend of spices, giving the Chana Masala its unique taste.
3 Noon Chai
For many Noon Chai or salted Kashmiri tea may not be one of the best types of tea to try in India - but it is sure to be one of the most memorable. It seems that if one travels enough, one will find every rule upended somewhere. Almost all around the world confusing salt with sugar in a drink is met with immediately spewing it out. But not in Kashmir. It is traditionally made from a type of green tea leaves mixed with baking soda (that gives it a pink color), milk, and salt. If one is visiting Kashmir, take the time to visit Ladakh - India's Tibet.
2 Lassi
Indian food is often famously spicy - fortunately for many, Indian food also often comes with its own antidote. Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink from India and the neighboring states. It is a blend of yogurt, water, some spices (but not hot and spicy), and sometimes even fruit. It is similar to doogh and can sometimes even be a little similar to a cross between a milkshake and a yogurt drink. It is great when eating spicy food.
1 Eat With Your Fingers!
Granted eating with one's fingers is not an Indian food, but it gets an honorable mention here as it is considered very important in India. For the Indians to really enjoy the flavor of their food and one should not spoil it with the taste of metal (from a spoon or fork). For an authentic Indian dining experience, learn to eat with one's fingers (specifically the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the right hand). It is considered dirty and rude in India to eat with one's left hand, so for etiquette, stick to the right hand.