Indian cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors, spices, and traditions. With its diverse regions, each offering a unique culinary experience, Indian food has something for everyone. From the spicy curries of the South to the rich, creamy dishes of the North, here’s a guide to some must-try Indian dishes that capture the essence of this incredible cuisine.
- Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Butter chicken is an iconic dish of North Indian cuisine. This dish originated in Delhi in the 1950s and has since gained international fame. The tender, marinated chicken is cooked in a tandoor (traditional clay oven) and then simmered in a rich tomato-based gravy with a generous amount of butter and cream. The resulting flavor is a perfect balance of tanginess, creaminess, and spice, making it a favorite among Indian food enthusiasts. To try an authentic butter chicken, make a reservation or order a takeout from urban-tandoor.com.
- Masala Dosa
Coming from South India, masala dosa is a beloved breakfast dish that is crispy, flavorful, and comforting. A dosa is a thin, crepe-like pancake made from a fermented rice and lentil batter. It is filled with a spiced potato mixture and served with coconut chutney and sambar, which is a tangy lentil soup. The combination of crispy dosa and the warm, spiced filling is truly irresistible.
- Rogan Josh
A signature dish from the Kashmir region, Rogan Josh is a fragrant and hearty lamb curry. The dish gets its name from “Rogan,” meaning oil, and “Josh,” meaning intense heat, referring to the rich red color and robust flavors of the curry. The lamb is cooked in a gravy made from yogurt, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices like cardamom and cloves. Rogan Josh is best enjoyed with rice or naan.
- Biryani
Biryani is a royal dish that has its roots in the Mughal Empire. It is a one-pot meal made with fragrant basmati rice, tender meat (usually chicken, lamb, or goat), and a blend of spices such as saffron, cardamom, and cloves. The dish is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together. Biryani comes in many regional varieties, with Hyderabadi and Lucknowi biryanis being among the most famous.
- Palak Paneer
A favorite among vegetarians, Palak Paneer is a North Indian dish made from paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and pureed spinach. The paneer is cooked in a mildly spiced spinach gravy that is both nutritious and delicious. The creamy texture of the spinach combined with the soft, melt-in-your-mouth paneer makes this dish a wholesome and satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with naan or roti.
- Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a popular North Indian street food. It consists of two components: chole, a spicy chickpea curry, and bhature, a deep-fried bread that is made from refined flour. The combination of the tangy, spicy chole and the fluffy, crispy bhature is irresistible and often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or brunch.
- Vada Pav
Often referred to as Mumbai’s burger, Vada Pav is a popular street food in Maharashtra. It consists of a spicy potato fritter (vada) sandwiched between a pav (soft bread roll) and served with chutneys and fried green chilies. It is a humble yet incredibly satisfying snack that captures the vibrant flavors of Mumbai’s street food culture.
- Gulab Jamun
No Indian meal is complete without a sweet treat, and Gulab Jamun is the perfect dessert to end your culinary journey. These deep-fried milk dumplings are soaked in a sweet syrup flavored with cardamom and rosewater. They are soft, syrupy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, making them a favorite dessert across India.
