Top 8 Indian Cuisines you should try at least once.

India is home to diverse ethnicities stemming from culture and tradition and a kitchen to every one of these diversities. Hence Indian Food is a large assortment of cuisines across the country.

But the food here is much more than a little bit of that and a little bit of this in a pot, it is a cultural identity proudly preserved. It is also personal, and often an expression of love that is passed down through generations as a legacy. A way of remembering someone through their recipes and every time you recreate it, it tastes like warm hugs.

In this blog, we are attempting to explore a small culinary diversity of the country. So let us take you on a gastronomical journey through some of the geographics of India.

The subcontinent of India has an enduring love affair with food and the complexity and variety in delicacies are a celebration of its location and the people. Here’s a menu that is all set to tantalize your taste buds and keep you coming for more.

South Indian Food: This cuisine includes the cuisines of the five southern states of India – Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is globally acclaimed for its light, low-calorie, and nutritional attributes and is mainly rice-based. It is an authentic art of cooking consumed traditionally on banana leaves.

Suggestions – Idli, Dosa, and Vada with sambar and different chutneys. Idiyappam (thin rice strands) with curry, Puttu and Kandala Curry (steamed rice cake with curry), Pongal (sweet and spicy), Upma, Pulihora (tamarind rice), Kesari Baath

Bengali Food: Bengali cuisine is the culinary style of Bengal, a region in eastern India. The cuisine is well appreciated for its multi-course spread of sweet and spicy. It is predominantly flavored with the rawness of mustard oil.

Suggestions – Mishti Doi (flavoured curd), Rosogolla(dessert), Sandesh (dessert).
Shukto (vegetable gravy), Begun bhaja (fried eggplant), Jhalmuri (puffed rice snack).
Fun fact: Pani puri is called puchka in Bengali.

Rajasthani Food: The famous Rajasthani thaali is a full-course meal touring your taste buds through signature dishes from the State of Rajasthan on one plate. It is known for its spicy savories and sweets made with ghee.

Suggestions – Dal Bati Churma (wheat rolls dipped in dal), Ker Sangri (Bean and berry curry), Gatte ki sabji (spicy gravy), Bajre ki roti with lasun ki chutney (millet flatbread with garlic spread), Kachori (deep fried snack)
Ghevar(dessert), Malpua (Dessert)

Maharashtrian Food: Maharashtrian cuisine is a delightful experience of tangy and spicy with a distinct flavor of its own. It is winning hearts with both soulful traditional recipes and popular street food. The joy a 10rupee vada pav can give you cannot be put in words.
Suggestions – Thalipeeth, Kande Pohe (puffed onion rice), Misal Pav, and Pav Bhaji (bread and lentil)
Ukdiche Modak (dessert), Puran Poli (sweet flatbread)

Punjabi Food: Since the cuisine is highly influenced by the agriculture of the state, Punjab offers you a wholesome variety of wheat-based dishes with a glass of irresistible lassi (buttermilk) on the side. They are also credited for a special form of cooking called Tandoori.

Suggestions – Chole bhature, Dal makhana (dal) Paratha (aloo, gobi, paneer, mooli), Amritsari kulcha (flatbread), Sarso ka Saag and Makkai di Roti (creamy curry with flatbread), Pinni (dessert), Gajar ka Halwa (dessert)

Gujarati Food: Apart from what you’ve seen a Gujrati carry every day (thepla, dhokla, khakra, and paatra). The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli (flatbread), dal, curry, and rice with a little bit of sugar in everything. It is primarily a vegetarian cuisine with each dish cooked in a unique style.

Suggestions – Khandvi (flour-wrapped snack), Handvo (savory vegetable cake), Undhiyu (mix vegetable curry), Dal dhokli (dal with wheat pieces), Muthiya, Kadhi, Shrikhand (dessert), Basundi (dessert)

Assamese Food: Assamese cuisine comes from the hillside of Assam in the North Eastern region of India. It is a fusion of indigenous style with little spice and minimal fire cooking and favors fermentation and the use of exotic vegetables and fruits.

Suggestions – Aloo and Baingan Pitika (salted potato and eggplant), Doi-Chira (sweet flattened rice), Ouu Khatta (marmadale), Masor Tenga (curry)

Bihari Food: Bihari cuisine is an explosion of spices infused with a traditional smoked chilly. One of the distinct features of culinary art involves deep frying, roasting, and steaming. Biharis use mustard oil as the preferred cooking base and panch-phoran: five flavourful spices.

Suggestions – Litti Choka (flavored ball of wheat), Thekua (dessert), Balushahi (dessert), Sattu Paratha (flour flatbread), Channa Ghugni (gravy), Dal Pitha (dumplings).

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While there are endless underrated cuisines in the streets, cities, towns, and villages of India that deserve equal respect and recognition. We have tried to highlight popular and most consumed Indian cuisines across the globe. It’s important to also note that each cuisine comes with a detailed history and traditional nuances that require in-depth study.