must-try food India
our top 10 traditional Indian foods you have to try
paneer lababdar
creamy paneer curry
What is it?
Paneer lababdar is a rich, creamy North Indian curry made with cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a smooth, mildly spiced tomato based sauce. Although it shares similarities with dishes such as paneer butter masala and shahi paneer, it has its own distinctive texture and flavour, with grated paneer often added to the sauce. It is a popular restaurant dish across India, especially in the north.
Although the paneer version is the best known, some restaurants also offer chicken lababdar, along with versions made using lamb or other meats, all prepared in a similar tomato based sauce.
What is in it?
The dish is made with cubes of paneer simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, butter, cream and spices such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and Kashmiri chilli powder. Many recipes also include grated paneer in the gravy, giving it a thicker texture.
The curry is usually finished with cream and fresh coriander.
Where can I eat it?
Paneer lababdar is widely available throughout northern India and is now common on restaurant menus across much of the country.
Vegetarian and gluten free.
laal mans
spicy mutton curry
What is it?
Laal maans is one of the most famous dishes from the north western Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a rich, fiery mutton curry with a deep red colour and smoky flavour.
Traditionally prepared by the Rajputs, the dish was originally made with game meat and a large amount of dried red chillies, both for flavour and to help preserve the meat in Rajasthan’s hot, arid climate. Despite its fame, laal maans is not particularly common outside Rajasthan, making it a regional speciality worth seeking out when visiting the state.
What is in it?
Laal maans is traditionally made with goat meat that is slow cooked, though lamb is sometimes used elsewhere. The sauce is made with onions, garlic, ginger, yoghurt and whole spices such as cloves, cardamom and cumin.
Its signature colour and heat come from Mathania chillies, a variety grown near Jodhpur that provide a deep red colour and a pronounced chilli flavour. If these are not available, other dried red chillies may be used.
Where can I eat it?
Laal maans is served throughout Rajasthan in restaurants, but it is much less common elsewhere in India. A great place to try it is Muhammadi Palace in Jaipur, which is well known for its traditional Rajasthani cuisine and excellent laal maans.
Gluten free.
vada pav
fried potato burger
What is it?
Often called the “Bombay burger,” vada pav is Mumbai’s most iconic street food. It consists of a spicy, deep fried potato fritter (vada) inside a soft bread bun (pav), served with chutneys and a fried green chilli. It is cheap, delicious and incredibly popular, every time we saw one being sold on the streets, we had to get one.
What is in it?
The vada is made from mashed potatoes seasoned with mustard seeds, turmeric, garlic, ginger, green chillies and coriander, coated in a gram flour batter. It is stuffed into pav bread along with sweet tamarind chutney, spicy garlic chutney, and sometimes a fried green chilli on the side for extra heat.
What is it?
You will find vada pav all over Mumbai, from roadside stalls to train stations and markets. It is also popular in other parts of Maharashtra and India in general, but Mumbai is the best place to find and experience it.
Vegan and dairy free.
malai kofta
dumplings in curry
What is it?
Malai kofta is a rich North Indian curry made with soft fried dumplings of paneer and potato, served in a creamy, mildly spiced tomato cashew sauce. It is known for being rich, smooth and slightly sweet.
The dish is a restaurant favourite across India, especially in the north, and is one of the most popular vegetarian curries on Indian menus.
What is in it?
The kofta are usually made from paneer and boiled potato, sometimes with nuts and raisins, then shaped into balls and fried. They are served in a sauce made from tomatoes, onions, cashews, cream and spices. Some versions use extra cream or a sugar to give the sauce a richer, sweeter finish.
Where can I eat it?
Malai kofta is common on Indian restaurant menus throughout the country, especially in the north.
Vegetarian.
aloo tikki
fried potato snack
What is it?
Aloo tikki (also written as alu tikki) is a popular North Indian snack consisting of spiced, shallow fried potato patties, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and delicious all the way through.
What is in it?
Mashed potatoes mixed with spices like cumin, coriander and chilli powder, sometimes with peas or onions, shaped into flat patties and fried. Often served with chutneys, yoghurt, pomegranate and occasionally chickpea curry (chole) or other options.
Where can I eat it?
Widely available across India, especially in North Indian cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Jaipur. You will find it at street food stalls, local markets and some restaurants.
Vegetarian and gluten free.
dal fry
fried lentil curry
What is it?
An Indian lentil dish where cooked lentils are tempered with spices in hot oil. It is thick, flavourful and delicious.
What is in it?
Lentils, usually toor dal (yellow split pigeon peas) or a mix such as moong and masoor dal. Tempered with spices in hot oil (tadka) cumin seeds, garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, green chilli, turmeric, coriander powder, red chilli powder and sometimes garam masala. Finished with fresh coriander and often a squeeze of lemon.
Where can I eat it?
Almost everywhere. Dal fry is served in restaurants all over India, from small street side dhabas to fine dining.
Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
chole bhature
chickpea curry & bread
What is it?
Chole bhature is a classic North Indian dish featuring spicy chickpea curry (chole) served alongside deep fried, fluffy puffed bread called bhature. It is often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch.
What is in it?
Chole is made from chickpeas cooked in a spicy tomato based sauce with onions, garlic, ginger and a blend of spices including cumin, coriander and garam masala.
Bhature is made from white flour dough (maida), fermented, rolled and deep fried,
Where can I eat it?
Chole bhature is popular across India, especially in the north. It is widely available as street food, particularly in the mornings.
Vegetarian.
paneer butter masala
Creamy tomato curry
What is it?
Paneer butter masala (also called makhani) is a rich, creamy Indian curry made with paneer simmered in a smooth tomato based sauce. It is mild, slightly sweet and fragrant with spices, and is one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants. It is mildly spicy, creamy and absolutely delicious.
Many restaurants also offer chicken butter masala (butter chicken makhani), where the same creamy tomato sauce is used with chicken instead of paneer.
What is in it?
Paneer butter masala is made from cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) simmered in a smooth tomato based sauce, which is often prepared with canned or fresh tomatoes along with onion, garlic and ginger. The sauce is enriched with cashews or cream for richness, and with butter and cream. The curry is seasoned with a blend of spices including cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and Kashmiri chilli powder, along with some sugar . Dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) are also added. The sauce is usually strained or blended to a very smooth consistency, and any whole spices are often removed before serving.
Where can I eat it?
Paneer butter masala is one of the most widely available curries, found on most Indian restaurant menus throughout the country.
Vegetarian and gluten free.
naan
tandoor cooked bread
What is it?
Naan is a soft, fluffy, leavened flatbread, traditionally cooked in a clay tandoor oven. It is one of the most popular breads served with Indian curries, especially in North India. Chewy and slightly crisp on the edges, naan is essentially a spoon for scooping up curries.
Common types of naan include:
Plain naan
Butter naan – brushed with butter
Garlic naan – topped with minced garlic
Cheese naan – filled with melted cheese
Aloo naan – stuffed with spiced potatoes
Keema naan – stuffed with minced meat
Laccha naan – a layered, flaky naan (laccha means “layered”)
What is in it?
Naan is made from white flour (maida), yeast or baking powder, water, salt and sometimes yoghurt or milk for softness. It is often finished with butter or ghee.
Where can I eat it?
Naan is widely available across India as a classic accompaniment to curry, especially in North Indian restaurants where bread is king. It is less common at purely South Indian restaurants, where rice is the more traditional side.
Vegetarian (except Keema Naan)
aloo paneer
paneer & potato curry
What is it?
Aloo paneer (also written as alu paneer) is a North Indian curry made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and potatoes (aloo) simmered in a mildly spiced, tomato based sauce. The sauce is usually blended to a smooth consistency, and the curry is gently simmered so the paneer and potatoes absorb the flavours without becoming too soft.
What is in it?
Aloo paneer is typically made from cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and potatoes (aloo), which are boiled or semi cooked and then gently fried or sautéed. The dish is simmered in a smooth tomato based sauce made with canned or fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic and ginger. The curry is seasoned with a spice mix including cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and Kashmiri chilli powder, sometimes a touch of sugar or cream is added. A small amount of butter or oil is used for cooking, and fresh coriander leaves are added for garnish.
Where can I eat it?
Aloo paneer is one of the most widely available curries, found on most Indian restaurant menus throughout the country.
Vegetarian and gluten free.
Ingredients listed reflect common or typical components of this dish as served in restaurants or street‑food vendors. Variations by region, season, or vendor are common. This information is provided for general reference only. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please verify ingredient details independently. We assume no liability for accuracy or outcomes.
