Talking about food is endless, food around the world is very diverse and delicious. This time we will take a look at the most popular Indian dishes and you can try them at your local Indian restaurant. Actually, the dive into Indian food is very broad and deep and endless, we only collect some popular Indian dishes and these are the best Indian food in our opinion, please refer to our following review.
Indian food is synonymous with curry, but not all curries are the same. Among the Indian foods which are very popular even sold all over the world are Biryani rice, Vindaloo and Tikka Masala and others. The term curry in Indian food can have different meanings according to the concoction of spices.
Food is often our alternative when we are lazy to cook, we often come to Indian restaurants and order Indian food for us to eat directly or we take home and we enjoy while watching at home or while relaxing with family.
Another reason why we like to order Indian food is because it is very complex, lots of spices are used and requires a lot of time to prepare. So, we cannot make it ourselves at home, ordering at an Indian restaurant is an alternative for those of us who want to enjoy the deliciousness of Indian food. However, before you go to Indian restaurants, you should read this article so you know what are the most popular and delicious Indian foods.
Keep reading our article to find out what are the most popular Indian food and you should try in Indian restaurants.
The Most Popular Indian Dishes
India is a very large country with the largest population after China. The vastness of this country causes it to have a variety of diverse culinary cultures. But in general, Indian cuisine is divided into two groups, namely North Indian food and South Indian food.
Between the two regions, there are differences in how to prepare food and seasonings so that both have their own advantages and uniqueness.
Characteristics of food in North India:
- Spices and vegetables are very diverse and lots of options for vegetarians
- North Indians prefer to eat bread like naan over Biryani rice food and others
- Dishes are not as hot as in south India, but their food is richly garnished like cream
Characteristics of food in South India:
- They eat more rice, and often combine it with lentils
- Love curry food and there are many types of curry available
- Their dishes feature a lot of seafood
Ok, let’s look at the review of 23 of the best Indian food or popular food in the two regions, North and South India. If you love Indian food, take a good look and then you can order at the nearest Indian restaurant.
List of Most Famous Indian Dishes
1. Biryani
One of the most popular Indian dishes worldwide is Biryani rice. Originally, this rice originated from Persia which was brought to India by Muhgals, it is a classic food that has become an important food in the modern era.
The process of preparing Biryani rice is divided into two stages, the preparation of rice and meat or vegetables. So, both are prepared separately and then combined when cooked in the oven to make them more flavorful and dry.
The rice used in Biryani rice is basmati rice whose grain size is long and beautiful and soft. The aroma of Biryani rice is very pervasive and appetizing, it turns out that there are additional spices such as Kapu Action, onions, cinnamon, and other spices. The combination of these spices will give the dish an extraordinary aroma, there is nothing wrong with this being a popular Indian dish and one of the best among them. While the meat that is often used in Biryani is chicken, mutton and mutton meat.
Once you order Biryani at an Indian restaurant, don’t blame me if you are tempted for the umpteenth time.
2. Butter chicken
Butter chicken is also on our list as a popular Indian dish. This is Indian curry, it’s not wrong if you want to try Indian curry by ordering butter chicken.
This is a light curry, with a dressing of onions, cream and butter making it the ultimate dish with great taste. Butter chicken is called murgh makhani, a food that is said to be a dish that never gets bored.
This dish also uses velvet tomato sauce and chicken pieces. Indians say, “this is our curry and we never get tired of tasting it”.
If you want to try the best curry on the Indian table, then order the butter chicken with tomato sauce and butter and you will taste the best curry.
3) Chaat
Chaat is a popular dish in North India and it is a delicious dish that will make you lick your fingers. Chaat means “lick”, because you will lick your fingers after eating chaat, this is an expression to show the deliciousness of this North Indian food.
Chaat also consists of many variations and the taste is different, the most delicious is the papri chaat. They all use starches like samosas or puffed rice, chutneys and vegetables.
The Papri Chaat which is said to be very delicious is made from a samosa-style crust, chickpeas, boiled potatoes, and there are also crispy fried noodles on top. It really tempts our taste buds with this Indian dish.
4) Dosa
This is not a main meal but rather a snack that shakes up your appetite. Dosa are thin pancakes and these are like crepe and slightly thinner than Naan. Dosa is a popular Indian dish made with rice and lentils. Carbo-rich rice is balanced with fiber-rich lentils, the result is a healthy meal that cleanses your digestion.
Eating Dosa should be with its hot sauce, usually dipped in hot chutney. You guys are good at eating Dosa as an accompaniment to your favorite curry.
There is also a Dosa in which this vegetable is added, it is a healthy Indian snack. One of them that is filled with vegetables is Masala Dosa, there are additional potatoes in it, delicious and evocative, good as a snack or for breakfast
5) Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is derived from Gulan (rose) and Jamun (berry-like fruit). It is a popular sweet food as a dessert among Indians.
This food is processed into small balls and made with flour and milk solids. When consuming it, Gulab Jamun is dipped in rose water and green cardamom, it is very delicious and truly a favorite food of our souls.
Ever eaten Indian donuts, this Gulap jamun is almost the same as Indian donuts. But make no mistake, Gulab jamun tastes better and once you try this food, you will not like donuts.
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6. Korma
Korma is a dish of boiled meat which is then slowly cooked in thick curry. You can imagine how delicious it is. The meat commonly used in korma is beef or chicken. There are also vegetables that are rich in fiber for additional nutrition.
Thick curries from North India are cooked using coconut milk, or using milk or even almonds and yogurt. Also, the deliciousness of korma comes from the addition of spices such as saffron, ginger, coriander, ginger, black pepper and cardamom. These spices are what make this popular dish from North India so delicious.
7. Madras Curry
Now on to South India, madras curry is another popular dish that you should try if you are in southern India. It is a dish of Chicken, hence the dish is also known as “Chicken Madras” or “Madras Chicken”.
It has many names, but this is an Indian curry that you should definitely try. This is different from others, this chicken curry is very flavorful, be careful if the nose is addicted.
The color of the curry madras is very red, the use of red chili makes the color very tacky and looks very spicy, even though it is not, it tastes cool and delicious because it has been mixed with various other spices.
However, if you mix it with Tikka Masala, or butter chicken, then the Curry Madras is still less tender.
Also read: The 50 World Best Pizza
8. Mutter Paneer
It is a dish from North India and belongs to the vegetarian diet. Mutter Paneer is curry and is cooked in paneer cubes. Paneer is a soft, fresh cheese like cottage cheese. But to make it a Mutter Paneer dish, it is mixed with peas, and uses a tomato and onion based sauce.
Mutter Paneer is enjoyed with naan or it can be with chapatis. What is naan? Let’s see below!
9. Naan
Another popular Indian dish and treat is Naan. This is bread that is grilled in such a way and enjoyed with a special curry.
The process of making naan is traditionally baked in a clay oven (tandoor). Naan is the perfect meal to finish off your curry. Every bite of Naan is always garnished with a delicious curry.
The best time to serve naan is when it is removed from the clay oven or when it is hot. Naan is usually wrapped in aluminum to keep it warm.
Naan is also divided into sections, and you can find naan in many Indian restaurants.
Some types of naan include plain naan, naan with white butter, and there is a variant of naan baked with rosemary. Each type of naan has its own delicacy.
10. Papadums
The Papadum is one of the best Indian dishes, you can order it in Indian restaurants.
Papadum is often served with cilantro mint chutney, and is slightly spicy. But it’s a delightful Indian dish, we love to hear the crunchy wafer cracking as it dips into the chutney and then to taste the deliciousness on the tip of the tongue.
11. Paratha
Paratha is another form of Indian food made from bread. This is flatbread but not the famous naan then what is the difference between paratha and naan? Just mention the feet again.
Parathas are a staple in many Indian homes, they eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Paratha vs Naan
There are differences between the two though sometimes somewhat similar. Paratha is bread that is cooked by deep frying, while naan is baked in a clay oven (traditionally). So Paratha is more crumbly, thinner than naan and of course it sounds really good.
When eating the parathas, you have to tear them up and use them to scoop out the curry gravy. Just like you eat naan using chutney.
12. Raita
Raita is an Indian dish which is also very popular even it is a must.
It is a dish of yogurt and cucumber and is used to cool the spicy and hot curry, you can enjoy it by pulling a little on the tip of your fork.
If you don’t have chutney, you can also enjoy Naan with raita. The raita is tender, delicious and you always want to enjoy it.
If you want to make your own Raita at home, check out the recipe below!
To make Raita, mix all these ingredients in a bowl and enjoy leisurely.
- cup plain Greek yogurt
- cup grated cucumber
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp fresh and chopped coriander
- teaspoon ground cumin
- Use salt as needed
13. Roghan Josh
Roghan Josh is a lamb curry dish, the color is very red and evocative, some also make Roghan Josh from beef.
The red color comes from the chili used. This dish is said to have originated in Persia but is now very popular as a dish in Kashmir, North India. If you like meat dishes, then don’t miss this lamb curry, delicious and rich in nutrients.
The lamb that has been browned is boiled in a thick garlic sauce, using onions, chili, ginger, and many other spices which finally presents a special dish from lamb.
Roghan Josh is popular as a food that is enjoyed with Biryani rice or Basmati rice and some are enjoyed with Naan.
14. Saag Paneer
Other most popular Indian dishes is Saag Paneer. This is a vegetarian dish from India that you must try. Saag in Indian means “green”.
Usually it is made from spinach and Saag Paneer comes from North India. In addition to spinach, sometimes there are additional vegetables such as broccoli and mustard greens.
Spinach is very soft and thickened with cream or coconut milk, then add paneer cheese that has been steamed or fried. How to enjoy it is as a side dish or served with rice. Something a must try for vegetarians
15. Samosas
Ever heard of “Samosas”? It is the most famous Indian food in the world and is one of the most popular Indian dishes.
It is a fried or baked pastry and is stuffed inside with pre-seasoned potatoes, peas and onions. There are also varieties of meat that use a variety of meats, but mostly use lamb, beef and chicken.
Samosas are enjoyed with mint sauce or with sour chutney. This is a very popular Indian food, it is not only famous in India but also famous in other parts of the world. Good for you to try it!
16. Tandoori chicken
Tandoor, yes, tandoor chicken, have you ever heard of this dish!
Tandoor chicken is a fairly well-known Indian dish and you may have heard of it. It is at the top of the list of most famous Indian foods.
This dish is made with chicken marinated with yogurt, and spices such as turmeric, coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger, red chilies, garlic, and lime juice. Furthermore, the marinated chicken is grilled in a clay oven (tandoor), you can’t imagine how delicious it is! That is why it is called the tandoor chicken.
The tandoor chicken tastes very delicious and makes you swoon.
17. Tikka masala
Tikka Masala is one of the most famous chicken dishes from India, it belongs to the most famous Indian cuisine. This dish is made by marinating chicken in garam masala. What is garam masala? It is a special spice blend of coriander, cumin, cardamom, black pepper and cloves.
Then the chicken is roasted in the ground or tandoor oven. Then the chicken is mixed with a cream sauce of tomatoes, red chilies and paprika.
Chicken tikka masala is similar to butter chicken, but there are differences between the two. What is the difference between Tikka Masala vs Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken is usually less ketchup, thicker and this is from Delhi. The Tikka masala is lighter and tastier.
Some sources say that Tikka Masala is an Indian dish that was invented in England around the 1960s.
18. Vindaloo
Vindaloo is Portuguese which refers to food marinated in wine vinegar and garlic.
Now, this is an Indian dish made with chicken, lamb, garlic, red chilies, vinegar and wine. So, this is the best Indian food you can find in a typical Indian restaurant.
Another Best Indian Foods
In addition to the 18 dishes above, there are still many of the best Indian foods that you can try. Below we add 5 more popular Indian dishes. What are they!
19. Chapati
This is a flat, unleavened bread made from a mixture of salt, flour, and water.
20. Dal
There is also Dal as the most popular food in India, it is a mushy meal of split peas. It also uses lentils, can of beans and is served on the side.
21. Keema
Keema is beef minced and fried or boiled. There are also those who make it with chicken, and lamb. Keema is also often used as a filling for samosas.
22. Pakora
Pakora is fried stuffed with potatoes, cauliflower, onions, and various other vegetables. It is served as an appetizer or enjoyed as a healthy snack.
23. Pasanda
Another popular Indian dish, Pasanda is a light curry sauce with a mixture of cream, almonds, coconut milk. In the past this food was served with lamb, but because of the high cost of lamb, it is now widely enjoyed using chicken or shrimp.
That’s a list of the best Indian food or the most popular Indian food. Now you know what the most popular Indian food are, so you can get them in Indian restaurants. It is indeed very difficult to make your own, the use of spices that are quite complete makes some people reluctant to make their own Indian food, he prefers to buy it at an Indian restaurant.
