A Guide to Indian Food

Indian cuisine is an international favorite known for delicious curries and great spices.

Indian food has evolved with influences from Asia and the Middle East while India’s location on the spice route has seen it impact on food internationally. Indian food is regional with a vast difference in the cuisine of the north, south, even east and west of the country due to varying histories, ethnicity, geography and climate.

The south typically use more rice, is lighter and less spicy often using coconut and tropical ingredients. In the north wheat is the staple, so naan or chapatti is eaten instead of rice. Dishes are typically richer, thicker sauces and use more dairy like cream, dairy, cottage cheese, and yoghurt. Vegetarianism is widespread and cuisine is further influenced by different ethnic groups, Hindus don’t eat beef and the Muslims don’t eat pork so many restaurants serve neither.

New Delhi in the north is known for its love of food. The Delhi region changed hands several times including Afghan, Mongol, Arab, and British greatly influencing the culture. A cosmopolitan city built on immigration there is a variety of regional food available in the restaurants and food stalls of Delhi. One of the greatest influences was the Moghuls who came across from the Middle East bringing the tandoor for cooking kebabs, kormas, biryanis, and meaty curries.  Food from the Punjabi region is responsible for some of the western world’s favorite Indian dishes like tandoori, naan, paneer, and pakora.

You will find most of your local curry house favorites and a few new treats. For some traditional fare keep an eye out for some of these Indian treats.

Biryani

The Indian version of Asia’s popular fried rice dishes, Biryani is made with thinner grain Basmati rice and mixed with spices, coriander, cashews, raisins, mint, and ginger giving it a slightly sweet taste.

Chaat

Chaat is a popular savory and spicy street snack which comes in various forms. The original is a mix of potato pieces, crispy fried bread and spices. It is served with yoghurt, chopped onion, coriander, a small dried noodle called sev, and chaat masala. Aloo Tikkis is also popular made of mashed potato with onion, coriander, hot spices, and a dash of curd.

Chicken Tikka

Tikka means pieces. The chicken pieces is marinated in an orange/red sauce consisting of spices and yoghurt then baked in a tandoor to give it a smoky taste. A sauce of tomato purée, masala and cream or yoghurt is added or it is eaten with chapatti or naan roti.

Butter chicken

Another treat from the tandoor, butter chicken came from the Punjab region.  Chicken juices, spices, butter, and tomato purée are combined to make a thick, slightly sweet sauce accompanying chicken cooked in the tandoor.

Dosa

A specialty of southern India but enjoyed all over, dosa are crepes made from rice flour and black lentils packed with meat or vegetables, cardamom potatoes, sour pickles, green chilli, and served with coconut chutney.

Now that you know what to order, find the best restaurants in New Delhi.