Indian food is more or less a bouquet of colours and flavours – India being the vast mix of cultures that it is, cuisines change as one goes from one state to another, and sometimes even one city to another. Indian food is, thus, also one of the most popular cuisines people enjoy outside of the country too. Here are the 15 most popular Indian dishes!
Also read: 10 Traditional Indian Dishes That You Should Definitely Try
1. Dosa
One of the most recognisable dishes from the South, a dosa is a pancake made from the fermented batter which is then spread out thinly on an iron tawa. A dosa is often accompanied by a number of chutneys and the quintessential Sambhar, and is often filled with mashed potatoes, veggies, and even paneer or cheese.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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2. Biryani
Perhaps the most popular Indian rice preparation out there (and also one of the most complicated ones, at that), the biryani, which traces its origins back to the Mughal era, is traditionally cooked with meat and chicken. However, modern renditions have also popped up, with vegetarian options being equally popular.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
3. Chicken Tikka Masala
While chicken tikka is a beautifully succulent starter all by itself, at some point somebody decided to make a curry out of our beloved tikkas, and boy are we here for it! The chicken tikka masala has a base made out of tomatoes and curd, giving it a tangy kick.
Source: Flickr
4. Tandoori Chicken
If a nice Indian lunch outside doesn’t include a mandatory plate of tandoori chicken, what are you even doing with your life? Chicken thighs (and sometimes breasts) are coated in spicy marination for hours or overnight before being cooked over burning charcoal – giving it a smoky taste that is difficult to get enough of.
Source: Pixabay
5. Naan
Naan is a flatbread made from leavened dough that is then cooked in a special tandoor, where it is stuck and subjected to indirect heat. Naan has a number of varieties, the classic butter naan being the favourite – and is enjoyed with a number of Indian curries.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
6. Kababs
While the origin of Kababs is usually associated with the Middle East, popular versions of the dish have existed in pockets across the globe, including in the Indian subcontinent. Kababs are usually made with minced meat mixed in with a number of spices and then grilled over burning charcoal.
Source: Pixahive
7. Rajma Chawal
A staple in most Indian households, Rajma is a variety of kidney beans. The beans are soaked overnight before being cooked the next day. The curry is made with a number of spices, onions and tomatoes – like most Indian curries – and is usually enjoyed with rice.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
8. Dal Makhani
First ideated by the creator of butter chicken, Kundan Lal Jaggi, dal makhani was invented as a vegetarian counterpart to the famous chicken dish. As the name suggests, Dal Makhani is the richer cousin of the humble urad dal, and is cooked with ample amounts of butter.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
9. Chaat
One can’t find an Indian street that does not sell some version of chaat – which is why it’s no wonder that this dish has been popularized by the Indian diaspora around the world. The chaat has a number of varieties, but is always accompanied by meethi (sweet) chutney, hari (green) chutney, curd, and sev.
Source: Pixabay
10. Pani Puri
Nothing is quite enough to explain our obsession with Pani Puris, but India sure does love this hot, tangy snack. Pani Puris include a crispy Puri that is stuffed with spicy mashed potato and chickpeas. The puri is then filled with sour water which is usually made with tamarind and coriander-mint chutney.
Source: Flickr
11. Samosa
If we all had to agree upon a go-to Indian snack, we’d all probably select samosas – a kind of snack so popular you’d be lucky to find a corner in India that doesn’t sell it. While the classic version is filled with mashed potatoes, other versions also exist, including chicken, beef, and even an indo-chinese version stuffed with noodles.
Source: Flickr
12. Malai Kofta
The name malai kofta evokes a sense of familiarity and nostalgia in most Indians. Balls of mashed potato and paneer (cottage cheese) are deep-fried and then dunked in a creamy curry that’ll make anybody swoon.
Source: Flickr
13. Palak Paneer
While a lot of us grew up watching Popeye the Sailorman down can after can of spinach, it was quite the task for our mothers to convince us to eat this iron-rich leafy plant. However, if there’s one Palak dish that doesn’t give the average Indian kid nightmares, it has to be Palak Paneer. With the curry base made out of spicy Palak, this is a pretty healthy dish.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
14. Chana Masala
A major complaint people have with the average Indian diet is that it doesn’t consist of enough protein. But the popular chana masala isn’t just packed with proteins, it’s also vegan. How neat is that?
Source: Flickr
15. Butter Chicken
Perhaps the most internationally recognizable dish on this list, butter chicken is made with succulent pieces of chicken tikkas dunked in a creamy, buttery curry made with tomatoes, cashews, and fresh cream. It doesn’t get better than this.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Which of these most popular Indian dishes do you love the most? Comment below to tell us!