This post is for all of my fellow foodies: Indian cuisines and tasting the flavors of this beautiful country. I will share some food safety tips to keep in mind and delicious bucket-list meals to try from the North and South of India.
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India is known for many things, but perhaps the most well-known for their food. Many people travel to India for that reason alone: to taste the flavors of India in the most authentic way, made from scratch by the people who know their meals best.
Indian cuisines are one of the most popular food staples on the planet. And getting the chance to indulge in some of India’s most classic delicacies is a huge part of the overall India experience.
THE FOOD QUALITY
The quality and cleanliness of the food in India greatly depends where you are. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai you will find many restaurants that are perfectly fine for even the weakest stomachs. When you are traveling to smaller villages/towns or the more rural areas of India, the cleanliness of restaurants and cafes will greatly differ. You can usually judge by the space if cleanliness is a priority for a restaurant owner. Many of the tourist destinations will have restaurants that are well-kept and use clean water and quality ingredients, many of which might be sourced from local farmers in the region.
Though in many parts of India the cleanliness and quality may not always be what your stomach is used to from other parts of the world. I am sure you’ve heard of the term “Delhi Belly” which refers to the upset stomachs that commonly occur in one’s first few days in India. The good news is your body adjusts to the difference in quality fairly quickly. And within a few days to a few weeks your stomach should be able to handle anything India can throw at you.
With that being said, it is always best to be safe when eating around India…
some general rules to follow that can go a long way to ensuring you will minimize your risk of an upset stomach:
- Don’t drink the tap water, ever.
- Bring a water filter with you to India.
- Be careful when buying fruits and vegetables washed with unfiltered water. Wash your own with filtered water.
- Avoid consuming lukewarm tea or coffee. Make sure the water is fully boiled.
- Think twice before eating meat that looks like it’s been sitting out for an extended period.
- Choose street food vendors and restaurants that have lots of customers, as it’s a good sign that the food quality is good.
While traveling India is a full-on adventure for your soul, eating in India is a full-on adventure for your taste buds. It is best to embrace all the joys and discomforts that arise from the food just as you would with any other experience on your trip. Just like being in India, you get more used to it the longer you stay!
TASTING THE CUISINES OF INDIA
1. SPICY FOOD:
Indian cuisine is known for its many spicy dishes, which can sometimes be challenging for those with a low tolerance for it. When it comes to trying to order non-spicy Indian food, this can occasionally be tricky as the local people do not have the same spice tolerance as many of us.
This is the general rule I have found when ordering spicy food in India:
- “0% spicy, please” = a little spicy
- “No spicy” = spicy
- “A little bit spicy” = Very spicy
- “Medium spicy” = Super spicy
- “Normal spicy” = RIP
Honestly, the more you eat spicy food the more your taste buds adjust to the flavors. I really struggled to handle the spicy food. But I did also realize that the spices add such a delicious flavor to their meals. If dishes were really too spicy for me to handle, then Raita was my best friend!
2. STREET FOOD:
Sampling India’s diverse street foods is one of the best ways to enjoy the most delicious and authentic flavors of the country.
One of the highlights of walking around any Indian town or market is getting the chance to taste new tastes and smell new smells. This is where you will experience the real taste of India.
They have so many yummy treats from savory to sweet, to pastry snacks and curries. My favorite street food was from Pushkar in Rajasthan. Having Poha in the morning, Pani Puri as a daily snack and some tasty curry with chapatis from the man on the corner was my favorite!
Tasting the Indian street food cuisines are not to be missed on your trip!
3. veg & non-veg:
Most regions in India do not eat meat, which is due to various cultural and religious beliefs prevalent across different regions of the country.
You will find that certain regions eat meats such as chicken and lamb, while others are completely vegetarian. For example I saw some street food stands selling chicken and lamb in Goa more than anywhere else in India.
In many parts of India, the cow is considered to be holy and many states have laws prohibiting the killing and consumption of cows in order to protect them.
THE BEST INDIAN FOODS AND DRINKS TO TRY
Let’s explore a few of the most iconic dishes to add to your Indian cuisine bucket-list…
NORTH INDIAN DISHES:
- Dal makhani Thali
- Paratha
- Chana Masala
- Aloo Gobi
- Biryani
- Butter Chicken
- Chicken Masala
- Naan
- Chole
- Tandoori Chicken Malai Kofta Paneer
- Samosa
- Panni Puri
SOUTH INDIAN DISHES:
- Dosa
- Idli
- Uttapam
- Vadda
- Appam
- Pongal
- Coconut Rice
- Fish Curries
DRINKS:
- Chai
- Ginger, Lemon, Honey Tea Lassi
- Bhang Lassi
- Sugarcane juice
DESSERTS:
- Jalebi
- Gulab Jamun
- Laddu
- Halwa
- Kheer
- Barfi
INDIAN CUISINES: FOOD THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
Embracing the foodie experience in India not only introduces your taste buds to new flavors but it also brings people together. You will most likely be invited to join a family for dinner, be welcomed into a shop for a chai and a chat, or be made something delicious by your guest house owner as a welcoming meal.
Food in India is a way to connect with the local people and also to meet community. There were countless times where just going out to a cafe turned into meeting lifelong friends and making a whole mission together afterwards. I urge you to visit cafes and restaurants in the villages and towns that you visit because you might be surprised by not only the yummy food but the experiences that transpire from it.
I would love to hear what food you tried in India and what were your favorite Indian cuisines in the comments below. Let me know if there is something you recommend me to try on my next visit to India!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
- 7 OF THE HEALTHIEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTH GOA
- 10 QUALITY RESTAURANTS IN DHARAMSHALA FOR DELICIOUS FOOD
- 16 OF THE MOST DIVERSE SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL PLACES IN INDIA – EMBARK ON A POWERFUL JOURNEY
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