India is a country of deep traditions, rich colors, and foods that simply can’t be forgotten. Amongst all the things the country is known for across the world, one undoubtedly has to be the food. The traditional Indian cuisine is loved by the world over as it is known for the sheer variety, aromatic smells, and richness of spices used in it, besides being cooked in a distinct style. With a diverse array of food dishes hailing from every corner of India, Indian food is considered one of the most diverse cuisines in the world today, with spicy curry and sweet delights alike being loved across many countries across the world.

The most appealing fact about Indian food is that besides delighting our taste buds, it is also very healthy. Most of the dishes consist of freshly picked vegetables, grains, lentils, spices, and herbs which makes it a very healthy as well as an enjoyable dish to eat. Below are some of India’s most loved traditional foods known globally.

1. Biryani – The King of Rice Dishes

The biryani is perhaps the most loved Indian dish loved the world over. It is a scented dish of basmati rice cooked with various spices, herbs and vegetables or meat, leaving a mouthwatering and heavenly scent that can be enjoyed with your meal. There are numerous biryani’s, such as the Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi biryani and Kolkata biryani among others, all cooked in a similar style but nevertheless having their own distinct varieties and ingredients. Biryani’s are easily found in almost any Indian restaurant found in Canada, the Middle East, the UK, or America today.

2. Butter Chicken – A Global Favorite

As stated, this has to be one of the most loved dishes known all over the world. The Murgh Makhani or Butter Chicken is an Indian dish which consists of chunks of soft tender chicken simmered in tomato based butter and cream gravy with some Indian spices that complement the taste well. The Butter Chicken is a very mild dish and loved by many who are new to the Indian cuisine as the flavor is just enough to stimulate the palate. It is commonly served with Naan or rice and is a signature item on all Indian restaurant menus.

3. Samosa – The Perfect Snack

This is a very famous Indian dish known across the world as the Samosa. It is a pastry, fried until crisp and triangular in shape, with a filling which consists of spiced potatoes and peas or spiced minced meat. Samosa’s are generally served with chutney made of mint or tamarind to compliment the dish well. These Indian delicacies have numerous fans across the world because of their delicious taste and crispy nature. You can easily get samosa’s from street vendors, cafes and Indian restaurants found everywhere. There have also been additions made in the dish with the invention of cheesy samosa’s, noodles samosa’s and even chocolate samosa’s.

4. Masala Dosa – South India’s Pride

This is a very popular meal of South India. It is a fried crispy pancake made out of a fermented lentil and rice batter, filled with spicy potato and onions, which are boiled beforehand and then seasoned, then fried together in some sort of oil. Sambar and coconut chutney are traditionally served with the Masala Dosa, which has become extremely popular across many countries worldwide. It is favored by many vegetarians and gluten free food lovers as it is very healthy as well as delicious. Masala Dosa can be eaten at breakfast time as well as lunch and dinner.

5. Paneer Tikka – Vegetarian Delight

This is a very popular vegetarian Indian dish made of marinated paneer or Indian cottage cheese cubed, and marinated in a mixture of yogurt and several other Indian spices. It is usually cooked on a grill or oven until it is browned. Vegetarians worldwide adore this paneer dish as it is protein rich, delicious and filling. It is a common starter dish served in Indian restaurants all over the world and can also be considered a great substitute for chicken tikka.

6. Chole Bhature – A Punjabi Classic

Another wonderful dish which belongs to North India. Chole Bhature is a combination of Chole, a spicy chickpea curry served with Bhature, a deep fried flatbread. It is extremely popular with Indians across the world as the comforting nature of this dish helps fight feelings of homesickness with its mouth watering and spicy flavors. Chole Bhature are also favored by many people during breakfast in foreign countries.

7. Gulab Jamun – Sweetness in Every Bite

It’s impossible to live in a world without Indian sweets. But out of the lot, the Gulab Jamun stand out for its sweetness and delectable flavor. These deep fried balls made of milk solids and then steeped in a fragrant sugar syrup which is normally flavored with cardamom and rose water are a delicacy to taste. The sweet syrup along with the soft balls made of milk solids just melts in the mouth and are loved by everyone all across the world. These sweet Indian dishes are also an integral part of any celebration or Indian wedding.

8. Rogan Josh – Flavorful Kashmiri Curry

A delicious Kashmiri dish of slow cooked lamb or goat in spicy red colored curry which makes it fragrant and stimulating. The Rogan Josh has many fans who have a liking for spicy lamb dishes. It has found its place in many fine dining Indian restaurants in the world today and the taste is heavenly and very authentic to the tradition.

Why Indian Food is Loved Worldwide

The Indian cuisine is popular throughout the world because of a variety of reasons, including the use of several flavor combinations like spicy, sweet, sour and tangy, the use of a wide variety of spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and many more which also give it a health beneficial effect, a large range of vegetarian and gluten free dishes to satisfy people with different diets and above all, the rich history and tradition behind the Indian cuisine and its recipes that bring along fond memories with every mouthful eaten.

Indian Food in Global Culture

The country’s food is considered to be the fastest growing and largest international market in the United Kingdom, for instance, has made the Indian food an integral part of its daily menu. Butter Chicken, Naan, Biryani and Tikka Masala are some of the most loved Indian dishes today. Shows hosted on television about Indian cuisine, global food festivals, as well as social networking sites have also played a vital role in making this Indian dish famous and many a renowned chefs from the world has also made Indian cuisines part of their innovative cuisines that they try and cook all across the world.

Conclusion

The traditional food from India has gained popularity everywhere. Because of the various spices, flavors and traditions in the Indian cuisine, it is considered as an all-time favorite dish for all lovers of food across the globe. From the taste of the biryani to the melt in mouth Gulab Jamun, all Indian dishes have offered the finest of experiences and are one of the finest cuisine in the world owing to its taste, spice and variety.