India is a country with diverse and rich culinary traditions, offering a wide range of delicious foods from street stalls to exclusive restaurants. If you’re a food lover visiting India, here’s a list of Best Foods to Try in India, categorized into street food and exclusive dishes:
Street Food:
- Pani Puri/Golgappa: These are hollow, crispy balls filled with spicy tamarind water, mashed potatoes, and chickpeas.
- Chaat: A variety of savory snacks typically made with potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, and chutneys. Bhel Puri, Aloo Tikki Chaat, and Dahi Puri are popular variations.
- Vada Pav: A Mumbai favorite, it’s a spicy potato fritter served in a bun.
- Samosa: Triangular pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes minced meat.
- Pav Bhaji: A buttery and spicy vegetable curry served with soft bread rolls.
- Kati Roll: Flaky paratha or flatbread rolled around fillings like spiced meats, vegetables, and chutney.
- Chole Bhature: A North Indian dish featuring deep-fried bread (bhature) served with spicy chickpea curry (chole).
Exclusive Dishes:
- Biryani: A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with spices, meat (chicken, mutton, or fish), and sometimes vegetables. Variations include Hyderabadi, Lucknawi, and Kolkata biryani.
- Butter Chicken: A creamy and tomato-based curry with tender pieces of chicken.
- Rogan Josh: A slow-cooked Kashmiri lamb or goat curry with aromatic spices.
- Tandoori Chicken: Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a tandoor (clay oven) for a smoky flavor.
- Dal Makhani: Creamy black lentils cooked with butter and spices.
- Paneer Tikka: Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) marinated in spices and grilled or roasted.
- Dosa: A thin, crispy fermented rice and lentil crepe often served with coconut chutney and sambar.
- Malai Kofta: Deep-fried vegetable or paneer balls served in a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy.
- Gulab Jamun: Deep-fried milk-solid dumplings soaked in sugar syrup, a popular dessert.
- Rasgulla: Soft, spongy cheese balls soaked in sugar syrup, another beloved dessert.
These are just a few of the many delicious foods you can explore in India. Remember that the cuisine varies greatly from region to region, so don’t hesitate to try local specialties wherever you go.
