A Complete Guide To Ordering Indian Food

Indian food is a delicious range of cuisine that has earned global acclamation. So many people are willing to explore the Indian cuisine scene but they do not know where to begin with. Whether you’re getting Indian Delivery In NYC or visiting a great Indian restaurant, you need to make sure that you have some basic knowledge of Indian food so that you can enjoy the true flavors of India. This guide will give you a working knowledge of Indian cuisine and some popular dishes.

Common Food Terms Seen In An Indian Menu

Dal

Dal is a lentil soup, which is pretty popular in Indian cuisine and there are multiple varieties of dal available as well.

Makhani

Makhani is derived from the Hindi word ‘butter’ and is associated with dishes that have a rich and creamy texture and have a generous amount of butter in them.

Paneer

Paneer is used to refer to cottage cheese and is made by curdling milk with lemon juice.

Saag

This is a green leafy dish and is also available in multiple varieties. 

Masala

Masala refers to a combination of spices used in the dishes.

Kofta

Kofta is minced meat or vegetable balls, spiced with various masalas and herbs. 

Korma

It refers to a meat or vegetable served in a yogurt-based gravy spiced with ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and garam masala.

Matar

The Indian word for green peas.

Tandoori

It is a process of cooking, where the food is cooked in a clay oven often by the heat of charcoals.

Popular Indian Dishes

Appetizers

→ Samosa

This is popular street food in India and also a great snack that is enjoyed in every Indian household. A slightly spicy potato filling wrapped inside dough packs a flavorful punch with every bite.

→ Kebabs

Kebabs are another popular appetizer, which comprises bite-size pieces of vegetables or meat, slathered in batter and often grilled in a Tandoor.

Bread

→ Roti

A plain and round flat-bread, most commonly seen in Indian households. Roti can be paired with a range of Indian curries.

→ Naan

This is another Indian flatbread with a puffy rise in them and traditionally cooked in a Tandoor.  Naan too can be paired with many Indian curries. When you visit the best Indian restaurant in New York, you can order naan with your favorite Indian curry.

→ Paratha

Indian flatbread can be consumed as a standalone dish of its own. Parathas are flatbreads filled with different veggies like aloo (potato), gobi (cauliflower), etc.

Main Courses

→ Butter Chicken

The most ordered Chicken dish comprising a creamy and rich gravy. Another popular chicken dish like the butter chicken is Chicken Tikka Masala.

→ Biryani

This is an absolute must-try Indian dish made of rice and meat, usually chicken or mutton. The rice is flavored and traditionally slow-cooked (Dum) in a big Handi (vessel).

→ Dal Makhani

A lentil soup with a creamy texture due to the addition of butter in it. Dal Makhani is usually cooked in 2-3 varieties of Dal. Other popular Dal dishes are Dal Tadka and Chana Dal.

Drinks

→ Chai

The Indian name for tea where milk and sugar are also added to it. A spiced version of tea is also preferred by many Indians called Masala Chai.

→ Lassi

A drink perfect for the summers, Lassi is a yogurt-based drink where yogurt is thinned with milk or water and sweetened and flavored with sugar and sometimes with fruits like mangoes, strawberries, etc.

Desserts

→ Gulab Jamun 

Probably the most popular Indian dessert, Gulab Jamuns is made from milk solids, deep-fried in oil or ghee, and sweetened by dunking in sugar syrup. Other popular desserts include Halwa and Barfi, Peda, etc.

Advice For Ordering Indian Food

→ Consider Spice Tolerance

While not all Indian food is spicy, some Indian food can be a tad bit spicier than others and some are really spicy. Discuss with the waiter to understand the spice level in each dish and if the heat seems too much for you, ask them to make it mild.

→ Order Side To Reduce The Spice

Side dishes like Raita and Lassi can be great to cut down the heat and help settle your stomach after a rich and spicy meal.

→ Expect The Menu To Be Split In Veg And Non-Veg

The Indian menu is usually divided into veg and non-veg dishes. To experience the best Indian cuisine order both from veg and non-veg varieties.