10 Traditional Indian Dishes

Indian traditional cuisine is renowned worldwide for its wonderful use of diverse ingredients, with exquisite dishes that have gained respect globally, but tasting them in their country of origin offers even greater pleasures.

Indian cuisine reflects a millennia-long history of fusion from various cultures, resulting in diverse flavors and many regional variants.

However, while delicacies vary depending on the region and state, most are built on the same foundations of taste, and there are many similarities in terms of spices and flavors, regardless of geographic region.

The main differences are broadly divided between North Indian and South Indian cuisines.

Many northern regions of India are vegetarian, and thus many of the most exciting vegetable dishes come from the northern states.

The basic ingredients of Indian cuisine include rice, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, chickpeas, onions, and yogurt, and the most common spices used to flavor authentic Indian food include turmeric, cumin, coriander, mustard seeds, cardamom, chili, garlic, cloves, saffron, fennel, nutmeg, and star anise.

Each of these incredible recipes tells a story that comes from afar, exploding with flavor on the palate of those who try it, with endless options to satisfy every taste or craving.

Here is a compilation of 10 typical Indian dishes to try and enjoy.

Masala Dosa is a crispy crepe (dosa) stuffed with spiced potato puree; it is a delicious and ancient staple originating from Southern India.

The potato masala is seasoned with mustard seeds, coriander leaves, onions, green chilies, coconut chutney, and ginger, wrapped in a thin dosa, and served with various chutneys. Among the Indian dishes to absolutely try, this is typically served for a traditional Indian breakfast.

Popular in many parts of India, modak is an Indian sweet dumpling made from sweet flour filled with freshly grated coconut and jaggery.

Fried or steamed, it is perfect when served with ghee butter. It is also a traditional sweet freshly made for festivals and ceremonies.

In addition to the traditional versions, new fillings such as saffron, chocolate, and nuts are added today to make these modaks even more delicious.

Tandoori Chicken is a popular dish from Northern India made from chicken marinated in spicy yogurt and then roasted in a traditional clay cylindrical oven that gives the dish its name.

The marinade is seasoned with spices and other aromatic additions such as cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, cayenne pepper, red chili powder, or Kashmiri red chili powder to give it a fiery red hue, creating layers of flavor.

This dish, originating from Punjab, pairs excellently with steaming basmati rice and crispy naan.

A popular staple in India today, the fragrant rice dish known as Biryani releases a medley of flavors and aromas produced by cooking the rice with a variety of spicy seasonings, meat, or vegetables.

Throughout various regions of India, there are numerous varieties of Biryani, each with its distinct flavor, often garnished with grated lemon zest, minced garlic, and parsley, all slow-cooked in a clay pot, usually served with a refreshing Raita sauce made from yogurt and cucumbers.

The meticulous timing required to cook the meat without overcooking the rice makes this a complicated process, but the results earn it a spot among the must-try Indian dishes.

A hot and crispy Samosa is one of the most popular representatives of Indian cuisine, recognizable at first bite.

This delightful street food features a triangular crispy pastry enveloping a spicy potato filling, typically accompanied by mint or tomato sauce. There are also versions made with lamb, beef, or ground chicken, while the pastry is entirely vegetarian.

Samosas are often served with a sweet mint sauce and are generally enjoyed as street food, either as a snack or a side to the main dish.

Butter Chicken is undoubtedly one of the most popular Indian dishes.

Also known as Murgh Makhani, it is made from leftover Tandoori Chicken cooked in a "sauce" made of tomatoes, cream, various spices, and, of course, butter.

Tender marinated pieces cooked in a tandoori oven (but can also be grilled, roasted, or sautéed in alternative preparations) are used to prepare the succulent chicken base, which is then mixed with a creamy tomato-based curry, cream, various spices, and, naturally, butter. The dish is typically served with steaming rice or butter naan, balancing sweet and spicy flavors perfectly.

Rogan Josh is a staple dish of Kashmiri cuisine (a region in Northern India).

Traditionally made from braised lamb served in a savory and spicy sauce, colored red by Kashmiri chili powder. Typically, Indian chefs prepare this sauce with browned onions, yogurt, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices, but there are many different ways to prepare this dish with ingredients like garlic, pepper, ginger, and cardamom.

Rogan Josh is best served with naan or any other Indian bread.

Naan is a famous Indian leavened bread baked in tandoors that is usually served with all meals.

This bread has the perfect combination of crispy and chewy, buttery with a hint of garlic. It is exactly what every Indian dish needs to complement otherwise vibrant and intense flavors.

There are many different types of naan, with butter and garlic naan being the classic, paneer naan being a delicious Indian cheese, chili naan being perfect for spice lovers, and of course, there's always the classic plain naan.

No matter how it's eaten, naan is ideal for dipping in sauces and completes every Indian meal.

Dal Tadka is another trendy Indian dish that has gained international fame. Dal Tadka was initially prepared with burnt charcoal to give it a smoky flavor, but it has since been simplified into a preparation that involves steaming lentils and seasoning them with traditional Indian spices like cumin, garlic, and ghee.

Dal Tadka doesn't go overboard with spices, just enough to give it a pleasant flavor.

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The name of the classic dish Matar Paneer in Hindi, Matar translates to peas and Paneer refers to a fresh cheese produced in India, one of the main ingredients of this dish.

Matar Paneer is a North Indian dish made from peas and paneer cooked in a mildly spiced tomato sauce similar to Butter Chicken, except that Matar Paneer is seasoned with Garam Masala, a mixture of ground spices.

Matar Paneer is traditionally served with Indian bread like naan or aloo paratha, but some also eat it with rice. Sometimes, other ingredients like potatoes may be added.