India being a land renowned for its rich tapestry of culture and cuisines it offers a culinary journey like no other country. From its tantalizing aroma of spices to the vibrant colors and diverse flavors Indian cuisine holds a special place in everyone’s heart. And interestingly the heart of famous Indian dishes lies in its flavorful and wholesome spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, types of peppers, and many more. Indian cuisine is just not about food but it is an experience that includes vibrant celebrations and an amalgamation of different cultures. In this blog join me on a flavourful exploration of the ten most famous cuisines in India as each of them is a culinary masterpiece. India Tourism invites you to savor the essence of India’s culinary heritage.
So, book your India Tour Packages and indulge in its delectable treasures.
Famous Indian Dishes
India boasts a rich culinary heritage with a wide range of delicacies from various regions. Some of the most popular Indian dishes are as follows:
- Jalebi
- Samosas
- Dosa
- Biryani
- Butter chicken
- Butter Garlic Naan
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Gulab Jamun
- Mysore Pak
- Rasgulla
Jalebi
Jalebi is a popular sweet snack in South Asia and neighboring countries. It’s made by deep-frying a wheat-flour batter into pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. The result is a crispy, syrupy, and incredibly sweet dessert with a bright orange or yellow color.
Indian dessert Jalebi is often enjoyed as a special treat during festivals, and weddings, or as a dessert at restaurants and street food stalls. It’s known for its unique shape, crunchy texture, and syrupy sweetness that makes it a favorite among those with a sweet tooth. Here are a few types of jalebis you must try from across India:
- Paneer Jalebi
- Jangri
- Jaleba
- Rabdi jalebi
- Khoya Jalebi
- Urad dal ki Jalebi
- Imarti
Samosas
Samosas are triangular-shaped savory pastries and are one of the most famous Indian dishes. They are typically filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, lentils, etc. The filling is enclosed in a thin, crispy pastry shell made from all-purpose flour or wheat flour.
These delicious snacks are deep-fried until golden brown, creating a crunchy exterior while the inside remains flavorful and aromatic due to the blend of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
Samosas are often served with different types of chutneys and sometimes alongside yogurt for dipping. They are a popular street food item and are also commonly found as appetizers in Indian restaurants worldwide. Their versatility and delicious taste make them a beloved snack for many. Different types of samosas that you must try when in India are:
- Cheese Samosa
- Chinese Samosa
- Matar Samosa
- Keema Samosa
- Khoya Samosa
- Maggi Samosa
- Moong Dal Samosa
Dosa
Dosa is a thin savory crepe in South Indian cuisine that originated in South India but is now enjoyed throughout the country and beyond. It’s made from a fermented batter of rice and black gram (a type of lentil) that’s ground together and left to ferment overnight, resulting in a slightly tangy flavor.
Dosas can vary in size, from small and crispy to larger ones that can be several feet long. They are often served rolled or folded and accompanied by various chutneys (like coconut, tomato, or coriander) and sambar, a flavorful lentil-based vegetable stew.
Dosas being a famous food of South India are incredibly versatile and can be filled with a variety of ingredients like spiced potatoes, cheese, vegetables, or even chicken, making them suitable for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack. They’re known for their crispy texture, unique taste, and the wide range of flavors they can offer based on their fillings and accompaniments. Types of Dosa you can’t resist are:
- Paper Dosa
- Masala Dosa
- Cheese Dosa
- Rava Dosa
- Podi Dosa
- Neer Dosa
- Moong Dal Dosa
- Ragi Dosa
- Spring Dosa
Biryani
Biryani is the most famous Indian dish worldwide. It’s a one-pot dish made by layering fragrant, long-grain basmati rice with marinated meat (typically chicken, mutton, or sometimes vegetables), along with a blend of aromatic spices.
The spices used in biryani can vary based on regional preferences but often include ingredients like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, and sometimes rose water or kewra water for added fragrance.
Biryani is known for its rich taste, the tenderness of the meat, and the aromatic rice, which often carries the essence of the spices used. It’s typically served with accompaniments like raita (yogurt-based side dish), salad, or a simple curry. Each region in India has its own unique style of preparing biryani, resulting in a variety of flavors and versions of this beloved dish. Here are the types of Biryani you can’t miss out on are as below:
- Hyderabadi Biryani
- Lucknowi Biryani
- Ambur Biryani
- Bhatkali Biryani
Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken, also known as “Murgh Makhani,” is a popular Indian dish that originated in Delhi and has gained immense popularity worldwide. It’s a rich and creamy dish made with tender pieces of chicken marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices, traditionally cooked in a tandoor (clay oven) to impart a smoky flavor.
The marinated chicken is then simmered in a velvety tomato-based gravy made with butter, cream, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices such as garam masala, fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi), ginger, and garlic. It is amongst the most popular non-veg dishes in India.
Some of the best places to try Butter Chicken in India are:
- The Moti Mahal Restaurant, New Delhi
- Punjab Grill, Mumbai
- Hakeems Restaurant, Bhopal
- Chulha Chauki Da Dhaba, Bangalore
- Prem’s, Pune
Butter Garlic Naan
Butter garlic naan is a delicious and popular variation of the traditional Indian flatbread, naan. Popular Indian Naan is made from leavened dough, typically consisting of flour, yeast, yogurt, and sometimes milk or water. It’s traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, which gives it a unique texture—soft, fluffy, and slightly charred.
Butter garlic naan is amongst the famous Indian dishes as it takes this classic bread to the next level by adding flavors of butter and garlic. After the naan is cooked, it’s brushed with melted butter infused with minced or crushed garlic and often sprinkled with chopped fresh coriander or parsley.
Some of the best places in India to try Butter Garlic Naan are:
- Kakke Di Hatti, New Delhi
- Little Lucknow, Bengaluru
- Sher E Punjab, Mumbai
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is amongst the world’s 4th best-rated chicken dishes, especially in the UK where it’s considered a national dish. While its exact origins are debated—some say it has roots in India, while others argue it was created in Britain—it consists of marinated and grilled chicken pieces cooked in a creamy, tomato-based sauce.
The chicken is first marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and sometimes garlic and ginger. It’s then traditionally grilled in a tandoor oven, though it can also be cooked on a grill or in an oven.
The dish is known for its rich, creamy texture, and a harmonious blend of spices that create a mildly spiced, comforting dish. It’s often garnished with fresh cilantro and served with rice or naan bread, making it a most famous Indian meal.
A few places in India to try Chicken Tikka Masala are:
- Sultans of Spice, Bangalore
- Chulha Chauki Da Dhaba, JP Nagar, Bangalore
- Masala Klub, Bangalore
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is India’s most famous and favorite dessert It consists of deep-fried dough balls, which are then soaked in a sugary syrup flavored with rose water, saffron, cardamom, and sometimes with a touch of lemon juice or rose petals.
These dough balls are made from a mixture of milk solids (khoya), flour, and a leavening agent like baking soda. Once shaped into small balls, they are fried until they become golden brown, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, spongy texture inside.
Here are some of the best places in India to try Gulab Jamun:
- Shree Bhagatram, New Delhi
- Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala, Amritsar
- Jhama Sweets, Mumbai
- Chingari, Pune
Mysore Pak
Mysore Pak is a famous Indian sweet that originated in the city of Mysore in Karnataka. It is ranked as the 14th best street food worldwide. It’s made from just a few basic ingredients: gram flour (besan), ghee (clarified butter), and sugar.
The process involves cooking gram flour in ghee until it reaches a thick, fudgy consistency. As the mixture thickens, sugar is added, and the cooking continues until the mixture solidifies and the ghee begins to separate.
The mixture is then poured into a tray and left to cool before being cut into square or diamond-shaped pieces. The result is a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth sweet with a rich taste of ghee and a hint of caramelised sugar.
Here are some of the best places in India to try Mysore Pak:
- Shri Krishna Sweet Shop, Mysore India
- Gundappa Sweets, Bangalore
- Mahalakshmi Sweets, Mysore
Rasgulla
Rasgulla is among the famous Bengali Sweets originating from the Indian state of West Bengal. It’s made from chhena, a type of Indian cottage cheese, which is kneaded into a smooth dough and then shaped into small balls.
These balls are then cooked in a light sugar syrup until they expand in size and become spongy and soft. The syrup used for cooking Rasgullas is typically flavoured with cardamom, saffron, or rose water, imparting a delicate aroma to the dessert.
Rasgullas is a syrupy dessert popular in the eastern part of South Asia for their light, airy texture and the way they absorbs the sweetness of the syrup, making them a delightful treat that’s enjoyed on various occasions, festivals, and celebrations across India and neighboring countries.
Here are some of the best places in India to try Rasgulla:
- Rasgullas from Kolkata
- Reddish Rasgulla, Odisha
- Rosogolla from Bhubaneswar
Conclusion
These dishes represent just a fraction of the vast and diverse cuisine found across India, each with its unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that vary greatly across different regions. Book your India tour with Flamingo Travels and make your holidays memorable