This post will introduce you to some of the best halal foods to try in India.

As one of the world's most populated nations, India's cuisine reflects the distinct fusion of local cultures and identities, found all around the country. Indian cuisine has been influenced by its vast and turbulent history, which includes influences from both East and West colonizers as well as a variety of religious rituals and beliefs.

There is significant variation in cooking methods and techniques used in the preparation of Indian food across the country's Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern regions. Each region of India has its own distinct style of cooking and food because of its own history, geography, and migration patterns that set it apart from other regions' food and techniques.

Although there’s a long list of tastiest and best halal Indian food to try if you’re planning to visit India or want to try an Indian restaurant near you, here we've compiled some most popular Indian food for the sake of simplicity.

Note: It's important to remember that masala refers to a mixture of spices, while curry is a spiced sauce, aloo means potato, dal is lentil, chana means chickpea, and matar refers to peas.

Popular Indian dishes

1. Biryani

Biryani is a traditional Indian dish popular among Muslim communities throughout India. It is comparable to Persian pilaf/pulao. There are many different versions of biryani, but in general, it layers cooked rice with meat, fish, or vegetables and then cooks everything together so the rice absorbs the gravy.

This classic Indian dish can be found in various regional and seasonal variations, which can be served with a variety of chutneys, raitas, pickles, or salads and rich or sweet components like nuts or fruit.

2. Butter Chicken

Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a delicious dish that came from Northern India in the 1950s. The marinated chicken is grilled/baked before being cooked with a thick, spicy tomato and butter sauce. Indian restaurant menus also feature vegetarian variations of this dish that substitute paneer for chicken.

3. Korma

Korma is a type of rich, creamy, and flavorful curry. It is made by braising meat or veggies in a gravy of coconut milk, yogurt, spices, and sometimes cashews or almonds. A vegetarian korma cooked with paneer or veggies is called navratan korma.

4. Mutter Paneer

The classic Indian curry dish is made with paneer/Indian cottage cheese and green peas, in a mixture (masala) of cashews, onions, tomatoes, spices, and herbs. The recipe originates from the delectable Northern Indian cuisine, which is renowned for its versatility.

5. Chicken 65

Though its history is still shrouded in mystery, the famous Chicken 65 is unquestionably the creation of A.M. Buhari, hence its name, 1965. The Buhari Hotel in Tamil Nadu served spicy, deep-fried chicken. Later, the meal was offered as Chicken 78, Chicken 82, and Chicken 90 on the menu; some of these variations are still offered at the historical hotel today.

6. Tandoori chicken

Another most popular Indian dish is definitely tandoori chicken. It consists of chicken chunks, marinated in yogurt with spices, and comes in a range of heat levels.

7. Dal Tadka

Dal tadka is a comforting Indian dish consisting of hearty lentils cooked with ghee or oil and popular Indian spices. Dal tadka is a widely loved Indian dish because of its comforting simplicity. Indian food uses a lot of legumes, like chickpeas and lentils, as a source of energy and nutrients because most Indians are vegetarian. So, dishes like these are very common in Indian cuisine.

8. Sambar

Sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew from South India, is frequently prepared using tamarind broth and pigeon peas. This is frequently eaten with rice, dosa, or idli (which are savory cakes cooked by steaming a batter consisting of fermented lentils and rice).

9. Dosa

Dosas have a long history and are considered an iconic dish of South Indian cuisine. These thin pancakes or crêpes, are made with a batter of fermented lentils and rice flour. They are served hot and can be folded in half or rolled up like a wrap. They are typically consumed with sambar or chutney. Dosa variations come in a variety of filling and sauce combinations, as well as regional variations in dough components and preparation techniques.

10. Vada Pav

Indian street food known as "Vada Pav" is incredibly well-liked all around the nation. This vegetarian quick meal is made up of soft, fluffy Indian bread called Pav and a deep-fried potato fritter called Vada.

The simple dish originated in the middle of the 20th century as a cheap and filling meal for laborers and has since become a significant part of the city's political and cultural landscape. Every year on August 23, people celebrate World Vada Pav Day.

11. Samosas

The samosa is a fried Indian snack, made with maida (all-purpose flour), and filled with a variety of ingredients such as green chili, onions, lentils, green peas, ginger, spices, and boiled potatoes. Depending on the filling, a samosa can be either vegetarian or not.

12. Chaat

Chaat, the most well-known delicacy in Northern India, is so tasty and spicy that it "tears the tongue" and compels tourists to consume more. Typical Ingredients of this dish include papri (deep-fried flour), boiled potatoes & chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, coriander, chili, and a blend of Chaat Masala spices. It is served with some green (spicy) and sweet chutney (sauce).

13. Pani Puri

Pani puri is a specialty of India that is known by many names depending on the part of the nation, though it is thought to have started in the state of Bihar (in the northeast).

Use your thumb to make a hole on one side of a circular, hollow puri—a crisp, deep-fried flatbread—and fill it with a mixture of flavored water, potatoes, chickpeas, onions, chaat masala, chili powder, and tamarind chutney is how you enjoy pani puri, an interactive dish. Pop the whole puri into your mouth for an explosion of bright flavors and textures.

14. Kachori

Another well-known, multi-named deep-fried Indian dish is kachori. Kachori, which resembles empanadas, are filled with spices, onions, beans, or lentils and served with a flavorful chutney or thick gravy. The dough is made up of fine flour.

15. Thali

Thali is a way of eating rather than a specific Indian dish, yet it is an important part of traditional Indian cuisine. The thali is a circular platter/tray that is commonly used for serving food in the Caribbean and South Asia. It's also the name of an Indian feast consisting of several different meals served at the same time, sometimes designated for ceremonial purposes.

The concept of thali is to combine all six flavors—sweet, sour, salty, astringent, bitter, and spicy—on a single plate. Indian cuisine dictates that each of the six flavors should be balanced in a dish. Typically served in individual bowls on a banana leaf or tray, thali foods might differ from one region to another. Rice, dal, veggies, roti, yogurt, chutney, pickles, or a dessert usually make up a thali.

16. Kheer

The most popular Indian dessert is kheer, a sweetened milk pudding. Kheer is made by cooking rice, milk, and sugar together. Next, dried fruits, nuts, cardamom, saffron, and coconut are added. It is chilled before serving.

17. Gulab Jamun

Gulab jamun is a traditional Indian dish made with deep-fried milk dough balls, dipped in a sugary syrup infused with cardamom, saffron, & rose water, and occasionally topped with cashews or almonds. This sweet and syrupy Indian dish is a favorite dessert for holidays, special occasions, and birthdays.

18. Lassi

This refreshing drink is the ideal complement to a spicy Indian lunch. On a hot day, this creamy, yogurt-based lassi—which is frequently combined with fruit like strawberries, bananas, or mango—is a refreshing, mildly sweet drink.

19. Masala Chai

Hot masala chai is another popular Indian drink. India is the land of tea lovers, and this particular tea, flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black peppercorns, is one of the most favorite. This traditional masala chai is made with milk and a spicy tea blend that's warm and rich.

20. Kulcha

Kulcha is an Indian disc-shaped flatbread similar to naan, best enjoyed with Indian curry or bhaji (vegetable dish).

FAQ’s

What is the most popular food in India?

Curry is one of India's most popular, well-known, and ultimate comfort foods in India.

What makes Indian food so unique?

India's food has a lot to offer, with regional specialties, a unique mix of religious and cultural influences, and the signature fragrant spices. The lively street food scene, festive dishes, and traditional drinks that comprise the diverse realm of Indian cuisine enhance the famous breads and curries that are internationally recognized as signature Indian food. 

What is India's national food?

Although there is no 'national dish' in India, Khichdi is frequently suggested. A classic Indian dish called khichdi is prepared by cooking lentils and rice together. A popular and wholesome dish in India, khichdi stands for unity in diversity, simplicity, and an association with traditional Indian cuisine.

The Wrap-Up!

One of the greatest things about Indian cuisine is that it offers a wide variety of options to satiate any craving, regardless of dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, or meat-lover).

Additionally, Indian cuisine is known for its careful preparation and emphasis on using only the purest ingredients—a quality that will satisfy even the pickiest diner.