There’s a feeling that can’t be described when walking through the door of a curry house. The warm aroma of spices start to sing, encouraging you to fill your belly until it aches.
When you’re face to face with a waiter, it’s easy enough to ask what they’d recommend - but what about when you’re looking at a menu (or preparing to cook) from home?
How do you know what to choose?
With such wide variety, recognising a few Indian food basics simply isn’t enough to help you decide when there are a host of options and hundreds of dishes yet to be explored.
Our ultimate guide to Indian cuisine will answer all the questions running through your head, so read on to learn more.
What is Traditional Indian Food?
There’s a lot of confusion in England about what actually classifies as Indian food.
Many of the popular recipes you see on takeaway menus, like Chicken Tikka Masala, are adapted to suit our low spice tolerance. They are often made with a mixture of yoghurt and cream to make them sweeter, and, if you were to travel to India, you would be unlikely to encounter similar dishes.
Traditional Indian foods would be non-altered recipes that have been passed through generations of Indian and British-Indian families. The curries tend to be drier with less sauce as they are often eaten by hand. They usually consist of lots of rice, lentils, and flour to make the food more filling, much like South India’s Masala Dola (a spicy pancake-type dish).
What Are the Different Regional Cuisines in India?
As we metaphorically travel around India, we uncover a whole range of cuisines that vary in flavour palette, spice levels, and common ingredients.
It isn’t as simple as pinning specific recipes to different regions, but there are preferred feature foods that individual areas are known for. Examples of these include:
- Rich curries hailing from Northern India.
- Pastry snacks like samosas being served on the regular in New Dehli.
- Hearty dishes based around rice, lentils, and stew from South India.
- Sweet dumplings fried and freshly made in Kerala.
- Meat-heavy ingredients packing curries and pastries alike in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Vegetarian and seafood meals in Gujarat, where they practise the religion Jainism.
- Wide varieties of street food are served in Mumbai, to locals and tourists alike.
This creates a complex variety of dishes that cover what Indian truly food is.
Where Can I Get Authentic Indian Food?
Although common perceptions would have you believe that local restaurants only serve Anglicised curries, that’s simply not the case. You can enjoy authentic food from around India in the comfort of your own home - you just have to take your time and research different Indian takeaways.
How Would You Describe Indian Food?
Indian food descriptions range from silky and smooth with a gentle warming sensation right through to an explosion of flavour with a fiery after-kick. It’s usually bright and colourful and can easily overwhelm the senses with a strong aromatic smell.
Be very aware of your likes and dislikes when ordering Indian food, but prepare yourself for a delightful experience no matter what dish you pick. The range of ingredients and spices means that no two recipes are remotely similar, and the variety of the cuisine is what makes ordering Indian food so appealing.
Plus, there’s one thing all guides to Indian food would agree on: it’s impossible to get bored. Knowing “What is Indian food?” and understanding the differences between various dishes will guarantee a long future of fun and interesting meals.
What is Special About Indian Food?
Indian food is the perfect multi-functional option for a range of events; such as small family gatherings or special occasions hosting hundreds. When you only order the Indian food basics there’s still a wide variety of options for a range of tastes and requirements.
Even picky children will likely love garlic-topped naan bread and plain tandoori chicken.
Additionally, vegan dishes can accommodate vegetarians and dairy allergens, and there are even some curries suitable for coeliacs. As a result of its wide-ranging scope, Indian food has become a beloved meal in England; claiming 2nd place in UK takeaway popularity over fish and chips. It is tasty, healthy, and brings lots of flavour to a family growing bored of chicken nuggets.
What Are the Types of Indian Food?
It might surprise you that there are lots of different types of Indian food - from main meal items to sweet, tempting Indian desserts. Even the word “curry” has many different meanings depending on where you are in India.
When looking at Indian food descriptions, you’ll find thousands of spices, meats, pastries, and sauces. On a menu, you’ll find stews, rice, curries, flatbreads, potato snacks, kebabs and meatballs. Although different regions are known for different specialty dishes, there are some common ingredients found across most - such as:
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Cayenne
- Yoghurt
Is Indian Food Healthy?
Indian food often incorporates lots of popular British vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower - as well as internationally grown colocasia, snake gourd, and okras. This can help the human body intake vital nutrients in a tasty and exciting way.
However, consumers watching their weight are strongly encouraged to go for vegan-friendly dishes, which uses healthier coconut milk rather than fattening cream and butter. In moderation, Indian food can be enjoyed by everyone as side dishes like rice can be very filling and help reduce the urge to snack.
What are the Most Popular Indian Dishes in the UK?
Our guide to Indian food wouldn’t be complete without reflecting on the phenomenon it has become today: a £3.2 billion industry that fuels thousands of restaurants up and down the country.
Chicken Tikka Masala, tandoori, samosas, naan, and poppadoms have all become familiar household names celebrated by many. However, food critics would argue that these selections don’t begin to cover the best options available to us.
Some of the highest-rated Indian dishes to try include:
- Saag Paneer: A leafy vegetable dish that is eaten with roti or naan.
- Chicken Makhni: A buttery curry made with tomato sauce.
- Masala Dola: A filling savoury pancake.
- Aloo Gobi: A turmeric-based potato and cauliflower curry.
- Madras Curry: A spicy beef curry.
- Gajar Ka Halwa: A tasty dessert made out of carrots.
- Gulab Jamun: A milk-solid-based sweet that’s most popular in Pakistan.
With these, you’ll really learn what is Indian food - taking your tastebuds on a journey of traditional and flavourful meals.
How is Indian Food Served?
Traditionally, Indian food would be served in large metal dishes to then be scooped out and eaten with your fingers. In a restaurant, though, you’ll be provided with standard forks and cutlery and can eat in whichever way you feel is most comfortable.
The best way to order Indian food is to select a variety of dishes that will be put in the middle of the table to share - that way you get to try as many things as possible whilst making a sustaining meal for everyone. If you’re eating alone and ordering a takeaway, Indian food will be served in plastic containers that you can put in the fridge for tomorrow - so get as much as you want!
What’s a Simple Recipe for an Indian Dish?
Home-cooking is often celebrated because of the freshness of the ingredients, and the satisfaction of making something by hand. However, a lot of Indian dishes require extensive utensils and a specific oven called a tandoor. It can be quite intimidating for those just getting into the world of cooking, but there are a lot of great dishes when looking to make Indian food for beginners.
To get a full range of food, you may need to go to a restaurant or order a takeaway - but here’s one simple recipe from Delish that you can try:
Directions:
- Season chopped beef meat generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil.
- Add beef and cook, flipping once, until deeply golden, roughly 3 to 5 minutes per side.
- Transfer to a plate.
- Add onion to skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, and spices (cayenne, cinnamon and curry pepper) and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
- Add coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
- Lower heat to low, add beef, and continue to simmer until fork-tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Serve with yoghurt, naan, and lime wedges.
How Can I Eat Indian Food Locally?
There are three options available to you, depending on your budget and time constraints. You can:
- Order a takeaway to pick up or be delivered.
- Book yourself and your loved ones into a nearby restaurant.
- Prepare your kitchen and get cooking.
Due to ease and convenience, many Indian food fanatics prefer to get authentic dishes from the source: family-owned local eateries that serve high-quality and delicious meals.
Through ChefOnline, you can browse through several restaurants to find tasty cuisines in your area - allowing you to easily order your favourite dishes. Before deciding, ask yourself the following questions:
- How hungry are you?
- What level of spice do you like?
- Do you prefer sweet or savoury food?
- Are there any dietary requirements to be mindful of?
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