When it comes to exploring Indian food there is no boundary to it. The food of India is more like its culture, it is infused with the diversity and the authenticity of its culture.
Every country has its own cuisine like Italian food from Italy, Chinese food from China, continental cuisine from Europe. But all these cuisines has its own boundary and limitation. It will be very difficult to define the diverse food of India because of its wide range specific to the region and its people.
Starting from north to south, east to west, India has a colossal of food range to offer. Each and every part of India has its unique cuisine rooted in its own tradition and culture. This variety of food range from different parts of India has one thing in common the unique blend of different spices that brings authenticity and distinct aroma to its cuisine.
History Behind The Diverse Food of India
Indian cuisine age back to 8000-year-old history mostly influenced by the culinary of Indian subcontinents. Indian has been a habitat for people from different parts of the world, thus mingling its culinary with a variety of cultural traditions. Each migrated homesteader in India has carried its own culinary traits to the country. As India is home to many religions, predominantly Hindu and Muslim the food of India reflects its religious diversity also. Thanks to the age-old western settlers like Persian, Portuguese, British they have also contributed their bit in Indian cuisine. Not to forget our Chinese settlers whose cuisine has become very popular with the touch of Indian twist. Thus resulting in the Diversity of Indian food and Unity by the use of Indian Spices.
North, South, East, West are the four zonal food of India. North Indian food is influenced by Mughal cuisine brought to India by the Mughal dynasty. South Indian cuisine is affected by the Dravidian culture which is 4500 years old. The eastern food of India is influenced by its nearby subcontinents like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Its cuisine also has a touch from China, which makes up the famous Indo-Chinese food of India. The food from the west of India is the most diverse because of the different styles of culture dwelling in the western part of India. The culinary of this part has its own cultural uniqueness like Malvani cuisine, Gujrati cuisine, Rajasthani cookery, Goanese food, Maharashtrian cuisine, and so on.
Famous Food Of India from Different Zones
Food in India would be very difficult to define in a single boundary, even it cannot be trademarked by the zones. Each zone has a different region, and every region adds its own color, culture, and traditional value to the food.
1. Mutton Rogan Josh
Starting from the top, Mutton Rogan Josh is one of the most popular dishes from Kashmir. This was introduced to Kashmir by Mughals and is partially influenced by Persian cuisine. In Persian “Rogan” means clarified butter and “josh” mean heat, so it is the process of cooking the meat in butter on high heat. Rogan Josh is a red meat delicacy either of lamb or goat which is cooked gently and slowly in butter or ghee, yogurt, and mix of variant Indian spices. It is one of the most common and famous dishes of North India.
2. Chole Bature
If you think of breakfast in India, I don’t have any other alternative to recommend than this. This is considered to be the regular breakfast meal of North Indian people and is famous in other parts of India as well. The origin of this delicacy is within north India though it is said to have infusion from Pakistani cuisine, where it is named “Halwa Puri”. Chole Bhature is a two item breakfast meal, one is “bhatura” which is a fried bread crafted from white flour and the other one is “Chole” which is boiled chickpea prepared in a spicy tangy curry to entice your taste buds.
3. Daal Bati Churma
This is one of the famous Rajasthani meal, originating from the royal cuisine of Rajasthan. From the name itself, this is a three-in-one dish that has every sense of taste salty, spicy and sweet. The dal is the nutritious meal made of 5 types of lentils with a blend of aroma from tempering Indian spices. Bati is a baked wheat flour dough ball mixed with desi ghee and milk. Churma is the sweeter part of the meal which is crushed Bati mixed with jaggery or sugarcane juice. If you are in Rajasthan your visit is incomplete if you haven’t tasted this age-old royal delicacy.
4. Galouti Kebab
Nawab Asad-Ud-Daula, the heir of Siraj-Ud-Daula, is the one to contribute to this significant creation of this renowned dish of Lucknow, the Galouti Kebab. The kebab was the regular servings in the royal meal of the Nawabs, and the Galouti Kebab is one the masterpiece. Galouti means soft, the idea was to create a mouth-melting creamy patty with minced pieces of lamb or beef mixed with over 150 exotic spices that make you relish every bite of it. This heavenly taste is a must for all non-vegetarian food lovers.
5. Goan Fish Curry
Goa is all about Sea beaches and Sea fishes. Goan food is some way influenced by Portuguese touch. Initially, this dish was restricted to Goa, but due to its distinct taste, it has been a popular dish all over India. This dish consists of white fish and the spicy curry which is prepared with red chili and peppercorn. And is also infused with tamarind paste to bring the perfect tanginess and spice to the curry.
6. Dosa
It will be worthless if we don’t mention Dosa when it comes to South Indian cuisine. This South Indian Crepe is widely famous all over the world and also in some other south-east Asian countries. Dosa is believed to be originated during the 1st century A.D by Tamilians. It is made up of fermented rice flour accompanied by lentils with vegetables in it and also a variety of chutney like coconut, tamarind, chili. It is a staple food for every South Indian. If you are willing to taste South Indian food this is the basic to start from.
7. Daab Chingri
Bengal is not only about Rossogolla and Misti Doi, but it also has a lot more of exotic delicacies to offer. Bengali cuisine is very much influenced by East Bengal culinary which is now Bangladesh. When we speak about Bengali food, fish is the most staple item for every Bengalis, and trust me there are varieties of it. Daab Chingri is one of the unique dishes of Bengal where Shrimp or Prawn is cooked inside the shell of tender coconut mixed with mustard paste and Indian spices offering the relishing taste and aroma.
8. Momo
Momo is a Tibetian food but very popular food in the northeastern part of India. The northeastern hill station and the chill weather add on to the taste of Momo there. It is a steamed dumpling made of wheat flour, stuffed with some filling of minced meat or veggies served with hot soup and sauce. These cute little soft dumplings when it melts into your mouth not only linger your taste buds but also balances out the chillness outside. When you are in the majestic hills of northeast India, Momos are a must-try.
Well, the list can go long and long, these are some of the popular foods of India which everyone should try at least once.
Also Read: You may also read our article on Kolkata’s Phucka-The Ultimate Sinful Pleasure.