28 Dishes That Define India!
“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s the nourishment of the Soul and Body; It’s truly love.” -Giada De Laurentiis Don’t we all agree with the above quote? Food is the best way to get to know a place and its culture. Moreover, it has a way of bringing people together. After all, it is the star of celebrations as well as casual get-togethers, isn’t it? Keeping this in mind, we have compiled a list of 28 delicious and mouth-watering Indian dishes which will surely make you drool irrespective of whether you consider yourself a foodie or not. 1. Kashmir – Rogan Josh How can we talk about Kashmir and not mention Rogan Josh? Generally savored with rice or naan, this flavorsome non-vegetarian dish is a red lamb-based curry consisting of ginger, bay leaves, Kashmiri chilies, and yogurt. 2. Himachal Pradesh – Chana Madra Madra is originally a delicacy that belongs to the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Chickpea curry with a yogurt-based gravy, this recipe contains various spices like tamarind, onion, ginger, and garlic paste that greatly enhance the taste of this already delicious dish. 3. Punjab- Sarson da Saag & Makke di Roti Ask anyone in India, the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of Punjabi cuisine is Sarson Da Saag with Makke di Roti (Indian bread made using corn flour). Sarson da saag is a flawless fusion of healthy and tasty. Made using mustard leaves, along with spinach, green chilies, and spices, this dish, with a generous dollop of butter, is the perfect wintery guilty pleasure. 4. Uttarakhand – Aloo Gutuk A Pahari culinary gem, Aloo Gutuk will provide your soul with what it needs. An easy recipe consisting of boiled potatoes, red chili powder, salt, turmeric, and coriander powder, this dish, coupled with Bhang ki Chutney, Pooris, and Kumaoni Raita, will surely leave you craving for more. 5. Haryana – Meethe Chawal Meethe Chawal (sweet rice) is a mouth-watering dessert made using Basmati rice, ghee, and sugar along with some cardamom, saffron, and dry fruits like cashews, almonds, pistachios, etc. Very popular in the state of Haryana, it is best served hot and fresh. 6. Uttar Pradesh – Tunday Kebab The iconic and beloved Tunday Kebabs are famous for their savory flavor and melt in your mouth quality. A modification of the decadent Galawati Kebab, this dish is prepared using almost 160 ingredients, including meat, yogurt, ginger, cloves, and lime. These kebabs taste their best when served with rumali roti, or crispy ulte tawe ka paratha, and are so flavorful that people flock to street vendors and restaurants alike for a generous helping. 7. Bihar – Litti Chokha A trip to Bihar would be incomplete without relishing the taste of freshly cooked Litti Chokha, the trademark dish of the state. It is your magnificent welcome to the Bihari cuisine, in all its ghee-dripping glory. Litti (dough ball made of whole wheat flour and sattu) served with Chokha (roasted and mashed vegetables) is every foodie’s dream come true. 8. Jharkhand- Dhuska Dhuska is one of the most common and popular street food items in Jharkhand and is a household favorite as well. Usually consumed during breakfast, this crispy snack is normally served with gram curry and chutney. It is a delicacy that should undoubtedly be on your must-have food items list! 9. Sikkim – Phagshapa Phagshapa is a pork dish of Nepali origin that is prepared by stewing the meat with dry chilies, ginger, and radish. A particular favorite during summers, this spicy and tangy recipe is best had with rice. 10. Assam – Masor Tenga One of the most popular dishes of Assamese cuisine, Masor Tenga, is a light and savory fish curry. Prepared by cooking fried fish in a rich, tangy broth made with tomatoes along with lemons, this dish will melt-in-your-mouth and leave you wanting more. 11. Arunachal Pradesh – Pika Pila Pika Pila is a famous Arunachali pickle that is mostly made by the Apatani tribe. Made using bamboo shoots and pork fat with a dash of king chilies, it is a popular accompaniment to food in the state. 12. Nagaland – Zutho Zutho is a famous rice beer originating from Northeast India and is extremely popular in the state of Nagaland. It is a drink of the Angami Nagas and consumed by all rural Naga tribes. 13. Manipur – Eromba Boiled vegetables along with dry Ngari fish are used to prepare this very flavorful and spicy Manipuri delicacy. Garnished with maroi nakuppi and a sprinkle of coriander leaves, Eromba is generally served with steamed rice and is a favorite among the locals. 14. Mizoram – Misa Mach Poora Misa Mach Poora is a mouth-watering side dish that must be on every foodie’s must-try list. It is grilled shrimp marinated with mustard oil, lemon juice, orange zest, and an assortment of spices. These are roasted on banana leaves and typically consumed with boiled or steamed rice. 15. Tripura – Mui Borok The traditional Tripuri cuisine is known as Mui Borok. The main star of this cuisine is Berma, a type of fermented and dried fish. It has a pungent taste and is mostly incorporated as a spice in dishes because of its somewhat salty and spicy flavor. 16. Meghalaya – Jadoh A specialty of Shillong, Jadoh can be found at various food stalls across the city and is quite popular among the locals. This delicious dish consists of rice mixed with succulent pieces of meat and topped with a combination of herbs and spices like green chilies, onions, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and bay leaves. 17. West Bengal – Sandesh An extremely well-liked sweet from the state of West Bengal, Sandesh is made of khoya (a form of condensed milk) and is paradisiacal in taste. This relatively lighter and healthier dessert is not overly sugary, thus, allowing people with a non-sweet
