Chances are you’re already familiar with some staples of Indian cuisine – but the 29 states in the country each offer their own unique regional dishes that mean you have only tasted the tip of the iceberg before you visit any tourist places in India. Naan, Dosa, spicy chicken and goat curries, Dhal and chutneys all await, ready to be washed down with some Masala chai or a Bhang (cannabis) Lassi. Take a scroll through the rest of our tips for food to try in India!

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Breads / Chapatti

Paratha, Naan, Puri, Roti, Poppadum

Idli steamed cake lentils and rice

Dosa pancakes, with masala spiced potatoes

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Mains:

Seekh and Shami lamb kebabs

Kingfish and ilish

 

Curry:

Chicken, Mutton (goat) (very rarely beef and pork!)

Vindaloo, Xacuti

Dhal (lentils), Korma, Dopiaza, Biryani, Chana chickpea

Tandoori: Tikka Masala, Passanda (almonds), Murg Makhani (butter chicken)

Thali Vegetarian curry tray

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Sides:

Rice, Sambhar (vegetable and lentil chowder), Al Makhani (stewed black lentils and kidney beans), Saag (spinach)

Pulao (rice cooked in a meat or vegetable broth)

Chutney, raita (curd with mint and cucumber), Yoghurt

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Spice Rack:

Chilli, coriander, curry leaves, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, saffron, nutmeg, ghee, coconut milk, tamarind, cardamom

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Street Snacks / Chaat.

Samosas, Bhajis, Kachori, Pakoras

Aloo Tikki, Paneer Tikka, Golguppa

Bhel puris (Mumbai puffed rice speciality)

Iddli sambar (lentil and vegetable sauce)

Nuts – almonds, cashews, peanuts, monkey nuts, pistachio

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Dessert:

Jalebis (deep-fried spiral pretzels), Rasmalai (balls of curds in condensed milk

Bebinca pudding,

Halwa, Vada lentil donuts

Shahi tukray (spiced bread pudding).

Kulfi frozen pistachio and cardamom sweet

Barfi fudge with silver leaf

Rasgullas cream-cheese syrup balls

Payasam vermicelli pudding with cardamom, saffron and nuts

Ice cream: Kwality, Vadilal’s, Gaylord and Dollops

 

Fruits:

Chiku, Jackfruit, Alphonso and Langra mangoes, Coconuts, Papayas

 

Drink:

Coconut water

Sugarcane juice

Mango drinks Maaza and Slice

Tea: railway tea, Darjeeling and spicy Masala chai

Bhang (cannabis) Lassi

 

Beer:

Kingfisher, Kings Black Label, Tibetan Millet Chang

 

Wine (not renowned in India!):

Chateau Indage / Sula

Tharra sugarcane wine

Toddy palm wine

 

Spirits:

Old Monk Rum

Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni


Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC

 

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