10 Most-Loved Indian Dishes Around The Globe
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If we asked you to point us in the direction of a land of aromatic curries, spice-packed appetizers, masala-doused street food, and sugar-glazed desserts, would you care to look beyond India? The length and breadth of the Indian sub-continent have the ability to miraculously lure anyone into its spell of rich, flavorsome food and culture.
Indian cuisine is a plethora of flavors. From the local streets of Mumbai to the upscale establishments of Indian food in the streets of London, Indian cuisine has impressed many. Did you know that our once-upon-a-time rulers, the British, have adopted curry as their “national dish”? If that fact was hard to digest, here’s one more: In 2001, chicken tikka masala shared the same pedestal as fish and chips, which was named the national dish of England. If you are bursting with pride already, here’s a list of 10 popular Indian dishes around the world to make you roar like a lion!
10. Kebabs That Will Leave You Asking For More
Be it the Kakori kebabs from Lucknow or the seekh kebabs from Hyderabad, the minced meat appetizers, arranged in skewers and grilled over charcoal, are an absolute delight to the taste buds. These Mughlai culinary gems have been around for several centuries. Kebabs are famous across the globe for their succulent infusion of minced meat (chicken, mutton, or beef) with a host of spices. You can never get enough of kebabs unless you have resolved to stay away from meat.
9. Did You Say Idli-Dosa?
The sizzle of the mustard seeds on sambar and chutney, and the crunch of crisp vadas are just a brief trailer to the tantalizing culinary voyage that South India has to offer. The ultra-soft idlis or rice pancakes, the masala dosas, the creamy haleem, pandi curry, and the chicken Chettinad can single-handedly put a lot of western dishes to shame.
8. Naan
If the world has baguettes and crispy flatbreads, India has the naan. Loaded with proteins and carbohydrates, the naan is what Indians swear by to complement their curries. The flour is usually kneaded with a variety of spices and herbs, and at times loaded with dollops of butter. What makes naan all the more unique is the traditional method of preparation— in a clay oven, retaining the charcoal flavor.
7. Samosa
It might irk our heart to accept that these wonderful stuffed-flour pockets are actually an invention of the 10th century’s Middle Easterners. But, it is more popular as an Indian snack and is something that youngsters swear by to fill their stomachs. Samosas are traditionally stuffed with mashed potato, but these flour pockets can be stuffed with anything — be it savory or sweet.
6. Chaat
Chaat: Tangy and spicy street food that has been making Indians weak in the stomach (by a craving for more, and not with any sickness) for ages, and quite rightly so. Some mouth-watering Panipuri or a piquant dabeli, Indian chaats have pleased the taste buds of people worldwide.
5. Malai Kofta
Ever thought that gourds or unripe bananas could be tasty? Malai kofta, the vegetarian meatball, will leave you licking your fingers and will change your idea of gourds forever. These chunks are cooked in a rich, tangy sauce of herbs and spices. Because of its similarity to meatballs, and exceptional taste, it strikes a chord with people globally.
4. Dal Makhani
This dish hails from Punjab (you know Punjabis love their butter), so it’s got to be buttery and delectable. Made of lentils, tomato puree, and generous amounts of butter, dal makhani is bound to leave a food impression that you cannot forego.
3. Palak Paneer
If there’s one thing that’s healthy and also a gastronomical delight, it’s got to be palak paneer. Spinach in a creamy sauce, embellished with paneer and spices is a dish that one cannot give a miss. It’s spinach after all. It made Popeye strong.
2. Chicken Tikka Masala
If there’s one dish that is guaranteed to be on every Indian food menu, chicken tikka masala takes the lead! This simple dish made of grilled chicken chunks tossed in a creamy spiced tomato sauce is everyone’s favorite. The dish is so popular and sought after that it has multiple claims to its origin — some say it’s a Punjabi dish, while others say it was first invented in Scotland. Wherever it is from, we are grateful that this dish exists on the surface of Earth.
1. Biryani
Do we even need an introduction? But, for those who are alien to it, this dish is a hearty combination of spices, meat, and rice. It’s aromatic, full of flavors, and tastes like heaven. From the Awadhi mutton biryani to the Hyderabadi biryani, it’s an indulgence that people can’t refuse.
What sets Indian cuisine apart from the rest of the world is the regional and cultural diversity, which is evident in its food, and perhaps that’s the reason that Indian food stands tall among the rest of the cuisines out there. What’s your favorite Indian food? Let us know in the comments below!
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