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Writer's pictureHarish Joshi

Famous Food in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 9 Must-Try Dishes (2022)

Updated: Sep 29, 2022

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is home to a wide variety of amazing food. The islands are known for many things, one of which is their food. The food here is as special as the beauty of Andaman.


Being an Island seafood is a major attraction here. The seafood in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is greatly influenced by the different cultures that came in touch with this region. Their food and cuisine are as different and diverse as the island.


The local people in Andaman prefer spicy and tasty food and it is also a major reason for the tourist influx. In this blog post, we have covered some of the famous foods in Andaman & Nicobar islands that you will surely don’t wanna miss.


Furthermore, we will cover 7 of the best restaurants in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands for your convenience.


Use the below list of dishes to navigate directly to them:

Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 9 Famous Foods (Dishes)


Andaman & Nicobar Islands are famous for their unique cuisine. However, most people don't know about the food here in this part of the world.


If you are visiting Andaman & Nicobar Islands, then it is important to try these dishes. Here are 9 must-try dishes that have a special taste and flavor.


01. Amritsari Kulcha

Amritsari Kulcha
Image Source: Amritsari Kulcha Restaurant

Amritsari Kulcha is a bread filled with vegetables that makes a yummy and tasty meal for the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.


It is made from wheat flour and has a slight tang to it which makes it very flavourful. The ingredients in this bread are the vegetables that are used in the preparation of this bread.


These vegetables are baby spinach, carrots, green peas, jalapeno, cilantro, oregano, and some chives.


Baby spinach is a type of leaf which is mostly found in gardens and has a mild flavor.


This spinach is the main ingredient in this bread. Amritsari Kulcha is the favorite bread of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.


There are different types of Amritsari Kulcha which are made by adding different ingredients to this bread. It is a famous veg food in Andaman and Nicobar islands. When in Andaman you should definitely try this!


02. Fish Curry

Fish Curry
Image Source: Unsplash

Being in a sea of fish, seafood is the most preferred food item in Andaman. The different seafood preparation is a must-try.


The tasty fresh fish curry is absolutely mouth-watering. It will be your favorite food in Andaman and Nicobar islands. You can opt for the favorite fish of your choice. This is applicable for any preparation.


Fish Curry in Andaman and Nicobar islands is a traditional and popular dish. It is made with the fresh fish of Andaman and Nicobar islands like dalmatian and brill.


The dish is served with rice, onion, and tomato curry. Fish curry is a dish that is made with a lot of fish. It is a lot of work for the fish curry chefs because the curry is made with a lot of spices and ingredients.


They have to clean the spices and ingredients to make sure the dish is tasty and delicious. The fish curry chefs are very skilled in the kitchen because they are able to make the dish without using a lot of ingredients.


Fish curry is a very healthy dish because it is made with a lot of fish. Fish curry is served with rice and onion.


03. Chili Fish Curry

Chili Fish Curry
Image Source: Unsplash

Chili Fish Curry is a dish that is made by frying a mixture of fish and chili paste and then adding tomatoes, coconut milk, and a dash of sugar.


It is a popular dish in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and a must-try if you are in the mood for Indian food. This recipe is a little spicier than your usual curry. If you are not a spice lover, you can easily modify the recipe and make it a little bit spicier.


In order to make this dish spicier and more flavorful, I used some of my favorite spices: cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, and turmeric. These spices add a lot of flavor to the dish and make it taste more authentic.


This is as same as Fish Curry but a little more spicy version of it. Even if you are a spice lover or not this is a must-try.


04. Macher Jhol

Macher Jhol: Famous Food in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Image Source: Kitchen of Debjani

As the name suggests it is a curry of Bengali origin. It is basically a fish curry that is loved by many due to its rare taste and different flavor.


Macher Jhol is traditional spicy fish curry and is a popular dish in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.


s in the form of a very spicy stew or gravy that is served with rice. Macher Jhol is liberally seasoned with turmeric, garlic, onions, and grated ginger, but uses a tomato-based gravy that does not contain any onions.


The dish is typically made with a variety of fish, such as mackerel, sardines, or tuna, though it may be made with shrimp, lobster, or other shellfish.


The fish is often fried in butter or oil, before being simmered in a tomato-based sauce. The sauce is made with a mix of onion, ginger-garlic, salt, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric, chili powder, and other spices.


The dish is normally eaten with a squeeze of lime and eaten with the hands.


05. Chicken Tikka Masala


Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular dish originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is a mild and spicy chicken dish with a tomato and cream sauce topped with whole cumin seeds, garam masala, and dried fenugreek leaves.


It is traditionally made with yogurt but may be made with cream. The dish is named after the Tikka Masala spice mix.


There have been many variations of this dish throughout Indian cooking and it is an essential part of Indian cuisine. It is typically made with boneless pieces of chicken, a tomato-based sauce, a mixture of cream and yogurt, and spices.


This popular north Indian dish is a crowd-puller food in Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is an indispensable meal in Andaman.


06. Coconut Prawn Curry


Coconut Prawn Curry is a popular dish in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is a dish that is made from coconut milk, jasmine rice, prawns, and curry leaves. The dish is typically served with a side of coconut chutney.


Ah!! I have dreamt of me having a thousand meals with this curry just by saying its name. The combination of coconut and prawn is heavenly. Once you try this, the flavor will never leave your taste buds.


07. Barbeque


Barbeque in Andaman
Image Source: Unsplash

Barbeque is a word with multiple meanings. When you are in the United States, it refers to a cooked piece of meat on a skewer or stick, but in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, it refers to a traditional meal made from fish & other sea foods that are cooked over a fire.


In order to prepare a barbecue in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, you have to make sure they have a fire before they start cooking. They also have to make sure they have a barrel or a tray that they can put the fish on. Once they have the fire and the fish, they have the rest of the meal. The meal is filled with vegetables, water, and spices.


If you don't try barbeque in Andaman it's completely a waste. Relishing the juicy meat mixed with barbeque sauce on a campfire night reminds me of a perfect vacation.


08. Grilled Lobsters


Grilled Lobsters
Image Source: Freepik

Grilled Lobsters are a commonly found dish in the Andaman Islands made by cooking a live lobster on a grill or in a pan.


It's a fairly simple dish to make, and the lobster meat is usually served with the lobster's head and tail, the roe, and a lemon wedge.


They are perfect for a summertime family meal. You can make lobster tacos with your favorite toppings. To kick the dish up a notch, try the following toppings: guacamole and mango salsa or sour cream and cilantro.


09. Rice


Boiled White Rice
Image Source: Unsplash

Boiled rice is an easy-to-prepare dish & quite delicious food in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Boiled white rice goes well with curry, Macher Jhol, Tikka Masala, Coconut Prawn curry, and even with grilled lobster.


It can even be prepared by yourself, all you need is white rice and water. Just boil white rice in water for half an hour and it will be ready to serve. You can also add additional ingredients to enhance the taste.


Best Veg Food in Andaman & Nicobar Islands


When it comes to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, you will easily find a variety of options in non-veg food due to a diverse range of sea foods. However, finding vegetarian food in Andaman is a bit difficult.


To help you out, we have created a list of all the best veg food in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands:


  • Amritsari Kulcha

  • Dosa

  • Idly

  • Poori Masala

  • Vadai

  • Paneer (Shahi, khadai, Malai Kofta, etc.)

  • Dal Fry

  • Rice, etc.

Best Restaurants in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Only the best restaurants serve the best food. Just knowing the name of food items will not help unless you don't know where to get them.


Here is a complete list of the best restaurants in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.


1. Full Moon Cafe


Full Moon Cafe Andaman
Image Source: Facebook Page - Full Moon Cafe

Full moon cafe is one of the best restaurants in Havelock. A trip to Andaman is incomplete without a visit to Fullmoon cafe.


The cozy little cafe by the beach has a chilled-out vibe and yummy food.


Rating: 4.5

The cuisine provided: Indian, Asian, and International.


2. Annapurna Restaurant


If you are a vegan or if you prefer veg food then, Annapurna restaurant is the right choice. This place will come among the best veg restaurants in port Blair. A famous south Indian restaurant with good food not extraordinary.


Rating: 3.5

The cuisine provided: Indian and Asian.


3. Sinclairs Bayview Restaurant


Bayview Restaurant
Image Source: Sinclairs Hotels

Just as the name suggests this restaurant offers a spectacular view of the ocean and a garden on one side. It is one of the best restaurants in Havelock with great food to dine in and wine.


Rating: 4.0

The cuisine provided: Indian, continental, Asian


4. New Lighthouse Restaurant


Seafood is a major attraction here. Freshly caught fish is prepared as per our needs with great taste. If you like to try seafood in Andaman then this is the place.

Rating: 3.5

The cuisine provided: Indian, Asian, seafood


5. Amaya Lounge Bar


The ambiance of Amaya cafe is remarkable with live music. The seafood is top-notch. The rooftop is a perfect romantic dinner spot. It is indeed one of the top restaurants in Port Blair.


Rating: 4.5

The cuisine provided: Seafood, Asian, and Indian.


6. Mandalay Restaurant


Mandalay restaurant in port Blair is an exotic place to dine with a view of the beach and island. Excellent food with great taste. The location is the major attraction of this restaurant. One of the best restaurants in Port Blair.


Rating: 4.0

The cuisine provided: Indian, seafood, and Asian.


FAQs


1. What kind of food is popular in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?


Andaman & Nicobar Islands is quite popular for sea foods. In Andaman, most restaurants and hotels offer prawns, fish, lobsters, and crabs, which are the most popular seafood.


2. Is vegetarian food available in Andaman?


Yes, vegetarian food is easily available in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.


3. What do Andaman tribes eat?


Tribal people hunt for their food in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A variety of meats are included in their diet, including turtles, wild boars, fish, and other seafood.


4. Is alcohol available in Andaman?


Yes, alcohol is easily available in various liquor stores in Andaman.


5. What are the most popular restaurants in Andaman & Nicobar Islands?


Some of the most popular restaurants in Andaman & Nicobar Islands include Full Moon Cafe, Bayview Port Blair, New Lighthouse restaurant & Amaya Lounge Bar.


6. What is the most popular street food in Andaman & Nicobar islands?


Some most popular street foods in Andaman are Pani Puri, Chatpatti Chat, Samosa, Jalebi, Rosogulla, Egg Roll, Cutlet, Bhaji, etc.


7. What are the most delicious foods in Andaman & Nicobar islands?


When it comes to the most delicious foods, you can go for Amritsari Kulcha, Fish Curry, Macher Jhol, Coconut Prawn Curry, Grilled Lobsters & Rice.


8. What are some of the best veg restaurants in Andaman?


Almost all the restaurants offer veg food in Andaman. However, some of the best veg restaurants are Seafood Delights, Bonova Cafe & Pub, Amaya & Fullmoon Cafe.


9. Is Jain food available in Andaman?


Yes, almost all the veg restaurants offer Jain food in Andaman.


10. What is the food cost at Andaman?


The cost of a meal varies depending on the dishes. However a veg/non-veg thali costs around ₹250.


Conclusion


The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are popular tourist destinations. All around the region, there are numerous restaurants serving a wide variety of seafood, rice, and vegetables. The cuisine varies depending on the region, and some dishes are only available in certain regions.


We would like to conclude our blog with a plea to every reader. If you are vacationing in this beautiful place, please enjoy it.


Be with your family, go on a hike and enjoy the best food in Andaman and Nicobar Islands!


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