India offers a wide variety of food. Similar to its culture the food is also vastly diverse. One of the foremost reasons is that it has been invaded by many foreign rulers such a Mughal, Afghans, Persians, Turks, Portuguese, English etc. The local cuisine in India developed more in Mughals era.
Indian spices were world-famous and it influenced International Trade. It was pretty popular in European Countries in the 15th century, especially in Greece. Scholars of that time even named it as “Yavan Priye” (Greek’s love). Indian cuisine reflects a 5,000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavors and regional cuisines found in modern-day India.
Because of India’s vastness, let me divide it into four zones (North, West, East and South) and then categorize its cuisines of every city by its zone.
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Indian Famous Food in Northern Zone
1. Taste of Kashmir
– Rogan Josh
If you are traveling into Jammu Kashmir then here you will not forget three things – Kashmir’s Beauty, Indian Army, and Rogan Josh. Rogan Josh was introduced in India by Mughals in the early 15th century. It’s a lamb dish, full of completely spicy gravy.
– Muj Gaad
Muj Gaad is again a Kashmiri Dish made by fish. You can eat it anywhere in any hotel or restaurant. Or, if you are in the mood of camping and you are accompanying with any local then you can cook it yourself or take the recipe from the internet. This is fun !!
2. Punjab – The Sikh Land
– Butter Chicken
World’s most famous dish “Butter Chicken” has its root in Punjab. It is world wide available now but as Punjab is its motherland, its relatively cheap and tasty from other Indian states.
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– Sarso da Saag
Another, most famous dish of Punjab. Sarso da saag te Makke di roti is quite delicious when served hot. Besides these two dishes, many dishes are famous here. You may want to taste Dahi-Paranta-Achar too and don’t forget to eat Aalu Gobhi of Punjab.
3. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is famous for its Mughlai and Awadhi food. Nawabs ruling the region’s princely states during the Mughal Era introduced the rich Mughalai cooking techniques and today, the state is very much popular for its Nawabi foods. Awadhi Cuisine which has its origin in the city of Awadh, the modern-day Lucknow, is a type of West Central Uttar Pradeshi cuisine.
– Murgh musallam
It’s a non-veg dish again, made by marinating and cooking a whole chicken. This is often served with ghee rice. Salan is a gravy dish, made with meat or vegetable.
– Lucknowi biryani
Biryani has two types vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian both. Here we are talking about the Non-veg one. It is made with mutton or chicken and cooked in the stock of meat is definitely a worthy treat for food lovers.
Famous Indian Food in Western India
1. The Royal Rajasthan Cuisine
– Dal Bati Churma
Rajasthan, the land of Kings, is famous for its royal culture and cuisine. Rajasthanis love their food and it is evident in their preparations. Dal Bati Churma. We have mentioned this into our last post of Eating and Drinking in Jaipur too. Every tourist or traveler must have tasted them at least once in their lifetime. Your trip to Rajasthan is incomplete if you haven’t experienced their scrumptious dishes.
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– Laal Maans
You cannot talk about Rajasthani dishes without mentioning the local’s favorite – Laal Maas. This spicy dish gets its color from the fiery red chilies. Best served with bajra rotis and a glass of Chaach, you’ll feel sleepy because of high-calorie intake.
2. Vibrant Gujarat
Gujarati people mostly prefer vegetarian cooking and their cuisine is delectable and lip-smacking. To taste the excellent vegetarian Gujarati cuisine is to have a Thali Meal – the ultimate delightful vegetarian fare. The traditional Gujarati Thali is one of the best ways to know Gujarati Cuisine. Beside the thali meal here two of its best dishes:
– Dhokla
A fermented batter derived dish from rice and chickpea splits.
– Khandvi
Again a traditional Gujarati Dish. But the only way I would like to recommend is to get a “thali”. You’ll get all the varieties in one thali (plate).
Famous Indian food of Southern India
1. Kerela – The Land of Spices
– Appam With Chicken Stew
Appam is an amazing food from Southern India. Not once did I devoid myself of the pleasure of its company. It’s got a soft and thick center and a paper-thin outside. It’s basically a rice pancake which you can pair with almost anything and it will still steal the spotlight. In a typical Southern stew, you’ll find chunks of chicken or meat bathed in a beautifully spiced and dreamy coconut gravy.
– Fish Molee and Fish Curry
Fish molee and Fish Curry both are different. Don’t get confused!! Kerela’s fish curry is quite different. It has a coconut flavor that tastes delicious.
2. Tamil Nadu
– Fish Vepuddu
All fish items in Tamil Nadu are worth to eat. All tastes delicious.
– Chettichand Chicken
Chettinad cuisine is a specialty of Tamil Nadu and will be a delight for those who like hot and spicy non-vegetarian food.
East Indian Famous Food
1. West Bengal
– Chingri malai curry
This dish is also known as Prawn malai curry. It is full of protein, made from prawns and coconut milk and flavored with spices. You don’t wanna miss this.
– Machher Jhol
This dish is in the form of a very spicy stew that is served with rice. It is liberally seasoned with turmeric, garlic, onions, and grated ginger. Potatoes are added to the stew as a thickening agent.
2. Nagaland’s food
– Bamboo shoot
If you are a pork lover then Nagaland is going to serve heaven for you. Bamboo Shots are one of the most famous dish of Nagaland. Bamboo shoots are cooked with pork.
P.S. – I was doing lip smacking all the time during this post !! 😉
