they are now popular all over the country.
When it comes to popular Indian foods, there are many that boast layers of flavour.
Indian cuisine is home to a number of dishes that are both tasty and nutritious.
Depending on the region, tastes and cooking styles vary but they are enough to make any foodie drool.
Dishes vary from state to state. From regal Biryani to light Dhokla, there is a huge choice of food available and if you haven’t tried them, you are missing out.
Here are 10 popular Indian foods that you must try.
Butter Chicken
One of the most famous Indian dishes is Butter Chicken.
The chicken is traditionally cooked over charcoal and at the same time, it is basted with butter and oil to keep the meat moist.
Meanwhile, a tomato-based sauce is made with various spices.
It has a creamy texture, thanks to the heaps of butter that is added. Finally, the chicken is added to the sauce to finish cooking.
This popular Indian dish is usually enjoyed with rice and naan.
Dosa
One of India’s most popular breakfast meals is Dosa.
It is a thin batter-based pancake made from a fermented batter predominantly consisting of lentils and rice.
It is usually filled with a dry spiced vegetable curry, one of the most popular being potatoes.
Dosas are common in South India but they are now popular all over the country. As a result, there are many variations, using different ingredients.
Rava Dosa is made with semolina while fusion options include Pizza Dosa and Paneer Dosa.
The versatility of this dish is one of the reasons why it is a popular Indian food.
Biryani
If you have never tried Biryani, you are missing out.
One of the most popular Indian foods, Biryani is a royal rice dish with a distinctive blend of ingredients and prepared in a unique way.
Once the meal of choice for the Mughal empire, this rice dish is one of the most popular Indian meals across the world.
Traditionally, Biryani was made with meats such as deer, quail or goat but different versions are now available, including chicken and lamb.
The dish consists of flavoured rice layered with marinated meat or vegetables and cooked in an oven to let the multitude of flavours infuse with one another.
Aloo Paratha
One of the most enjoyable Indian foods in the country’s northern region is Aloo Paratha.
It is a flatbread stuffed with a spicy potato mixture.
The flatbread is made from wholemeal flour, salt and ghee, forming flaky, soft and crispy layers that are golden-brown in colour.
The filling consists of mashed potatoes, ginger, green chillies, coriander, chilli powder and salt.
Perfect for a cold winter morning, this dish can be enjoyed either mild or spicy.
Daal Makhani
The moreish nature of this dish is one of the main reasons why it is so popular in India, typically enjoyed for dinner.
Daal Makhani is a North Indian dish that features whole black lentils and kidney beans.
It is cooked with lots of butter and cream and then simmered on low heat to give it a unique flavour.
As the majority of the Indian population is vegetarian, Daal Makhani provides a good source of vegetarian protein.
In India, it is consumed on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, religious celebrations, and national holidays.
Dhokla
Originating in Gujarat, Dhokla has gone on to become a delicious breakfast dish all over India.
It is a soft and mildly spiced steamed cake, often served with chutney.
In some preparations, brown mustard seeds and curry leaves are fried in oil before being poured over the dhokla, adding more flavour.
Made with rice and chickpeas, this light dish is healthy and rich in protein, ideal for breakfast.
There are different types of Dhokla, such as Edada, which is made by using different lentils like black grams, instead of chickpeas.
Dhokla is typically enjoyed with a hot cup of tea.
Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a popular Indian food that you must try.
This Punjabi dish is made up of a spicy chickpea curry and leavened bread.
Bhature is a common accompaniment in Punjabi dishes, specifically with chickpea curry. It is often made with plain flour, yeast, curd, sugar and ghee to create a soft dough.
The spicy, flavourful chickpea curry is well balanced by the crispy texture of the bread, making for a welcoming combination.
The aromatic flavours of the dish are sure to leave your palate fulfilled.
Pakora
The humble Pakora is a snack which has a number of variations and is a popular Indian food.
It may look simple, but every type is full of flavour and texture. The light, crispy batter surrounds the soft filling.
The combination makes for a delicious snack. It is no wonder that people queue for Pakoras at street food vendors.
Traditionally, Pakoras are made using vegetables.
But, people want to try new things and are experimenting with food. As a result, there are a number of varieties.
Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is one of the most traditional dishes but it is also one of the most popular.
This vegetarian meal is made with potatoes, cauliflower and a variety of spices.
Due to the use of turmeric, Aloo Gobi has a distinctive yellow colour.
Other common ingredients include garlic, ginger, onion, coriander stalks, tomato, peas, black pepper, asafoetida and cumin.
It is typically eaten alongside roti, a staple flatbread.
Saag Paneer
Saag Paneer is a much-loved Indian vegetarian dish.
Saag is a curried stew made of green leaves such as spinach, mustard leaves, collard greens and basella.
The addition of paneer takes this dish to a whole new level.
The mellow flavour of the cheese provides a nice balance to the spicy saag.
Adding cream and yoghurt gives the dish a velvety texture, making it a dish you must try.
Samosa
One of the most loved Indian snacks is Samosa.
The light, crispy pastry conceals a warm, spicy filling.
It is then deep-fried, giving these triangular-shaped snacks an appetising golden colour.
Enjoyed by Asians and non-Asians, there are a number of fillings.
Whether they are filled with meat or vegetables, samosas are a popular snack and the variety of fillings means that there is something for everyone.
Fillings like potatoes are traditional but there are more unique options like noodles and even cheese.
Khichdi
A hugely popular rice dish in India, Khichdi is cooked all over the country and is proper comfort food as it can be cooked in one pot.
It is typically made with spices and lentils. Vegetables such as cauliflower, potato and green peas are commonly added.
While Khichdi has similar foundations, different regions have their own variations.
For example, in Maharashtra, prawns are added. In Bihar, it is cooked into a semi-paste consistency and eaten with ghee and tomato chutney.
No matter the type, khichdi is a staple dish in India and one you must try.
Chakri
This savoury snack is typically made from a number of flours to help give it the unique texture that it is known for.
It is known as ‘Chakri’ in Gujarati but it is also called ‘Chakli’ in other parts of India.
It also has a noticeable crunch when taking a bite but when done so, a plethora of flavours come out.
The slight bitterness from the cumin combines well with the hint of red chilli powder.
It is deep-fried until it reaches a perfect golden colour and can be enjoyed on its own or with some tea.
Tandoori Chicken
When it comes to delicious Indian food, Tandoori Chicken is up there as one of the best.
It is marinated in yoghurt and various spices such as ginger, garlic and chillies.
The chicken is then cooked in a tandoor (clay oven).
This ensures that the chicken stays moist and it also gives the chicken a unique smoky flavour.
Keema Matar
Keema is a classic Desi lamb dish enjoyed by many. It is a dish which is very popular in Punjab.
It is the one Desi dish where mince meat plays a prominent role. Lamb keema is traditionally known for its sumptuous taste and intense flavour.
Indian keema often has peas in it which enhances the texture of the dish and adds a mild sweetness to the dish to offset the spices.
It is a simple recipe and one which can be enjoyed by the family on any day of the week, especially with freshly made roti.
Seekh Kebab
Along with Tikka and Dora, Seekh Kebab is one of the most popular varieties in India.
The kebab has had a long history as it is said that it originated in Turkey when soldiers used to grill chunks of freshly hunted animals skewed on swords on open fires.
Seekh Kebab uses lamb mince mixed with various Indian spices such as garam masala and chillies.
For even more flavour, the spiced lamb is flavoured with cumin and fenugreek.
It is typically grilled over hot charcoals or in a tandoor.
Amritsari Fried Fish
Fried Indian fish is a well-known dish, especially in coastal areas.
But in Amritsar, Punjab, it is known as Amritsari Fish.
It is a popular street food and is served across the city at well-established restaurants known for their spicy fried fish.
It is pieces of fish fillet which has a spicy batter and is deep-fried.
While cod is a common option, any other white fish can be used.
Tarka Daal
Tarka Daal is a popular Indian vegetarian curry that is simple to make.
Its mild flavours and creamy texture is what make it so enjoyable.
The word tarka refers to the few ingredients that are used. They are fried up and stirred in at the end.
Ingredients like garlic and ginger give it unique flavour combinations to create a hearty meal.
Lamb Gosht
Cooking meat on the bone can add a tremendous amount of flavour. There is something about cooking curries on the bone which adds to their traditional authenticity.
Lamb Gosht on the bone is a very well-known curry dish.
The art of cooking this specific curry is all about taking your time with it.
Do not rush the cooking process of this dish if you want to get the best results as the flavour is going to ooze out of every bite with mesmerising delight if it is cooked right.
The meat should be moist enough that it simply drops off the bone.
Once you have cooked the main part of the dish, you then need to let it slow cook for the flavour to really flourish.
Bombay Aloo
In India, Bombay Aloo is a common side dish as it compliments other flavourful dishes.
It will go well with any vegetarian curry. It is also great with meat dishes.
The sauce can vary in consistency but Bombay Aloo is usually on the drier side.
Potatoes are a staple for many in India and Bombay Aloo is a flavourful option that must be tried.
India has a wide variety of foods to boast about and these 20 are a must-try.
Despite originating in different states, they are loved across the country.
This is why it is no surprise that Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world!
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