The 15 most popular Indian dishes to try besides curry

Indian cuisine is full of incredible dishes, given the variety of cultures, climates, and regions in the world’s seventh-largest country. That said, many people often attribute curries as the only Indian food they’ve tried. There are so many popular Indian dishes worth tasting, from crunchy street foods like pakora or chaat to hearty classics like biryani and pulao.

Across the subcontinent, you’ll find a range of meals flavored with Indian spices, including garam masala, jeera (cumin), dhania (coriander), and Kashmiri chili powder. Many traditional Indian dishes are paired with Indian breads and grains, like naan, roti, or basmati rice, which are fantastic to eat.

Wherever you go in India, you’re bound to find something delectable, no matter your dietary needs. India is in fact one of the best destinations for vegetarians and vegans, as many Indians follow a similar diet. Keep reading to find out the best authentic Indian foods and where to try them.

15 traditional Indian food dishes to try on your trip

Have you been wondering what foods to try on your travels across India? Here are 15 dishes you must sample when eating Indian food, from street food classics to more regional specialties.

1. Pakora

Pakora are deep-fried spiced fritters, which are a delightful Indian street food snack that you can find across the nation. Also known as bhaji, they’re a simple yet tasty dish that can be made of any vegetable, meat, greens, or even fruit. They are then dipped in besan (chickpea flour) and flavored with aromatic spices, including turmeric, coriander, cumin, and red chili powder.

This staple is quintessentially Indian and is eaten daily by millions of natives, at wedding ceremonies, and to celebrate the monsoon season.

2. Pani puri

A classic South Indian dish is pani puri, which is a must-try street food experience. It’s made up of two main parts: the puri (a small, fried dough sphere) and the pani (a spicy ‘water’). The pani consists of mint, coriander, ginger, green chilies, lemon juice, chilled water, and spices.

Enjoying pani puri involves poking a hole in one side of the puri, which is then filled with the pani, chaat masala, tamarind chutney, and a potato and chickpea filling. To savor it, pop the whole package in your mouth and experience a flavor bomb.

3. Vada pav

Originating in Mumbai, this Indian dish is one of the most famous street foods. Consisting of a soft bun, crispy green chilis, a deep-fried potato dumpling, and chutneys, the vada pav is delectable.

It’s rumored to have originated from a street vendor named Ashok Vaidya in the 60s as a solution to feed commuters and workers near the Dadar train station. This clearly worked, as it’s affordable and easy to eat while on the go.

4. Biryani

If you’re looking for something more filling, then the mixed rice dish, biryani, is ideal for you. It’s a classic meal in Indian restaurants around the world, including South Africa, the UK, and the Philippines.

It’s traditionally cooked with layers of basmati rice, spiced meat or fish, vegetables, and a range of spices. This dish has origins that date back to the Mughal Empire in the 1600s and is said to be inspired by Mumtaz Mahal, who is entombed in the Taj Mahal.

5. Chaat

Probably the most famous North Indian food is chaat, a savory snack made up of potatoes, coriander, chili, chaat masala, onions, and sev (fried noodles). You’ll find this at roadside trucks or chaatwallas across the Indian subcontinent.

Every chaat is unique and varies depending on the city, region, and the vendor’s preferences or cultural background. Moreover, you can customize it to your liking, whether you’d like more chutney or less red onion.

No matter what you opt for, you’ll enjoy a delight to your taste buds with sweet, crunchy, salty, spicy, and savory notes.

6. Idli

A classic South Indian food is idli, a savory cake made of fermented rice and lentil batter. It’s traditionally served for breakfast along with sambar or chutneys after the idlis have been steamed.

It’s a light dish, which is also super healthy and cheap to eat. This makes it ideal as an affordable snack. It’s especially popular in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

7. Masala dosa

Another popular dish in South India is masala dosa, which is also made of fermented rice and lentil batter. In contrast to idli, it’s fried on a hot oiled griddle into a thin pancake, like a crepe, until it’s golden brown.

It’s served hot and is usually stuffed with potatoes, mustard seeds, onions and garnished with finely chopped coriander and grated coconut. Traditionally served as a breakfast dish, it’s a terrific way to start the day, especially when rolled up like a wrap.

8. Tandoori chicken

A timeless meal from North India is tandoori chicken, which is seen on millions of Indian restaurant menus. It’s made by marinating chunks of chicken in a spiced yogurt before being cooked in an extremely hot tandoor oven.

It can then be served just like that on a skewer or in Indian curries, including chicken tikka masala or butter chicken. No matter how it’s served, the complex flavor that is created by the combination of spices, yogurt, and the tandoor’s heat makes this dish so tasty.

9. Kachori

Loads of cultures around the world have stuffed pastries. Empanadas in Argentina, gyoza in Japan, and pierogies in Poland. India has kachori, a deep-fried pastry originating from Rajasthan. They usually contain lentils, beans, or vegetables and are covered in dough.

They are served piping hot with tamarind and mint chutney. These are a must-try Indian street food dish as they’re a classic dish in North Indian cuisine.

10. Matar kulcha

Another popular North Indian food is matar kulcha, a white pea dish often served with flatbread or kulcha. It’s one of the most famous foods in India’s capital, New Delhi, and is a simple, healthy snack.

Matar kulcha is found across the capital on many street corners and near transportation hubs. If you’re interested in trying this out, head to one of the city’s many vendors. They will happily provide you with a plate of the white pea gravy, which is topped with chaat masala, green chilis, onion, and tomato.

11. Kathi rolls

If you’re looking for something to eat in Kolkata, one of India’s best cities to visit, then trying a kathi roll is a must. Usually, it consists of a paratha – a flaky Indian bread made of whole wheat flour – that’s stuffed with a range of fillings.

This can vary depending on where you are, but it can contain proteins, such as paneer (Indian cottage cheese), chicken, or lamb, and vegetables, chutney, or fresh chili.

12. Samosas

Without question, samosas are probably one of the most well-known and popular Indian food. Interestingly enough, samosas were only introduced to India in the 13th century and are said to come from the Middle East.

Despite this, they are now quintessentially Indian and are enjoyed daily across the nation. These triangular-shaped pastries are stuffed with boiled potatoes, lamb, or ground chicken before being deep-fried in oil.

13. Momos

Enjoyed in parts of Eastern India, Tibet, Nepal, and China, momos are steamed dumplings. These are typically filled with minced meat, vegetables, or tofu and served with a spicy chutney.

Momos originally come from Nepal and Tibet and were only introduced to Indians in the 1960s, after a large number of Tibetans entered India. They gained quick popularity for many as they were affordable, easy to consume on the go, and simple to produce for vendors. Now, they are especially beloved in Delhi, where you can find them easily.

14. Sambar

Looking for something hot and sour? Well, sambar is a great option for you. It’s a lentil-based vegetable curry or stew that contains tamarind and pigeon peas.

Typically, it comes with idli or dosa, which are used to sop up any extra sauce left on the dish. It originates in Tamil Nadu and is incredibly prevalent across South India and Sri Lanka.

15. Thali

Lastly, there’s thali, which doesn’t describe a single Indian dish but more a style of eating. It’s named after a round platter used to serve food, which is topped with many different dishes.

On each thali, you’ll find several katoris (small round bowls) filled with raitas, lentils, vegetables, pickles, and chutneys. Along with this, it’s typically served with flatbread, including naan or roti and a refreshing drink called sol kadi, made with coconut milk.

It’s a must-try experience in India as it shows the Ayurvedic concept of six tastes: Madhura (sweet), Amla (salt), Lavana (sour), Katu (pungent), Kashaya (astringent), and Tikta (bitter).

Indian cuisines to try

Punjabi food

People the world over often identify Indian cuisine with Punjabi food, with dishes such as butter chicken and tandoori chicken coming from this region. Mainly based on wheat, spices, and ghee (clarified butter), the food is made for the Punjabi lifestyle.

Usually, most rural folks burn up a lot of calories while working in the fields, so they need hearty meals to recuperate. Pulses or dals, cooked on a slow fire and flavored with characteristic Punjabi tadka.

Awadhi cuisine

The rich Awadhi cuisine of the Lucknow region was made popular by the Nawab (Lord) of Awadh. To deal with food shortages, he ordered his men to cook food in huge handis (vessels) to feed the masses.

This eventually led to a style of cooking called dum – the art of sealing ingredients in a large handi and cooking over a slow fire. Typical Awadhi preparations are galouti kababs, boti kababs, and biryani.

Bengali food

Bengali food is characterized by the use of mustard oil and five basic spices: jeera, kalonji (nigella), saunf (fennel), methi (fenugreek), and sarson (mustard seeds). The cuisine generally consists of a variety of rice dishes and freshwater fish delicacies. Bengali sweets such as rasgulla and sandesh are popular all over the world.

Tamil Brahmin cuisine

Many Brahmin households believe that food shapes the personality, mood, and mind. As such, dishes are prepared with a great deal of attention to cleanliness, balancing nutrition, flavor, texture, and variety. Moreover, different spices and ingredients play an important role in the dishes:

• Fenugreek – For digestive aid
• Cumin – For boosting immunity and reducing stress
• Dried legumes and beans – To provide proteins
• Pepper – For alleviating colds and coughs
• Turmeric – For its healing properties

Rice and dal (lentils) are usually the staples. Overall, the food is characterized by dishes cooked on the griddle, such as dosas and thin broth-like dals called sambar.

FAQs about popular foods in India

What is the most popular Indian food?

This is incredibly hard to answer as the most popular food in India is highly contested. That said, here are some of the top contenders:

• Chicken makhani (butter chicken) – A chicken-based dish with a mildly spiced creamy tomato sauce.
• Dal makhani – A dish made with black or yellow lentils.
• Korma – A luscious curry consisting of braised meats, vegetables, yogurt, and spices.
• Palak paneer – A curry made with leafy green vegetables and paneer cheese.
• Chana masala – A chickpea curry flavored with garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and amchur (dried mango powder).
• Fish curry – A South Indian dish made with curry leaves, tomatoes, fenugreek, and coconut milk.

What are the best drinks in India to try?

Again, the answer to this question is subjective, but some of the best Indian drinks include:

• Masala chai – India’s national drink made with tea, sugar, milk, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
• Lassi – A yogurt-based drink typically containing mangos or bananas.
• Aam panna – A tangy drink made with unripe green mangoes.
• Nimbu pani (Indian lemonade) – A refreshing drink made with lemon juice, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt, great for beating the heat.
• Kingfisher – An iconic Indian beer that’s a must-try for beer lovers.

What do Indians eat for dessert?

Some of the most classic Indian dishes for dessert include the following:

• Barfi – This Indian sweet is made of milk powder, sugar, cardamon, and coconut.
• Gulab jamun – A dessert consisting of fried milk balls soaked in a sweet rose and cardamom syrup.
• Kulfi – A frozen dairy dessert flavored with saffron, mango, vanilla, or rose, ideal for a hot Indian day.
• Jalebi – A spiral-shaped deep-fried dessert that’s soaked in sugar syrup.
• Laddu – These sweet balls are made up of grated coconut, jaggery, flour, and ghee.

Make it happen

Experiences of the local food, flavors and culinary heritage can be woven into any trip to India. All trips offered by our local partners are entirely bespoke to you, your preferences and budget – so get in touch with them today to start planning an unforgettable foodie adventure.