This additive has been banned from cosmetics, but not from food
Papadam, or papad, is a dough of black gram bean flour that is either deep-fried or cooked with dry heat until crunchy. Papadam is typically served as an accompaniment to a meal.
Pakora is a popular Indian street food snack, made by deep-frying vegetables or meat coated in a spiced gram flour batter.
Bhel puri is a Mumbai street food snack made with puffed rice, puri, potatoes, spices, onions, sev (fried gram flour vermicelli) and various chutneys.
Keema paratha is an Indian flatbread stuffed with spiced minced lamb or goat meat. It's cooked on a tawa (a shallow pan) and served with yogurt or chutney.
Originally from Vasai and Goa, vindaloo curry is not for the faint-hearted. Meat or shellfish is slow-cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce and served alongside basmati rice or bread.
Jalebi is an Indian sweet made by soaking deep-fried, spiral-shaped batter in sugar syrup, resulting in a crispy, sweet, and sticky dessert.
Kheer is a traditional and decadent North Indian dessert made with basmati rice, sugar, whole milk, and cardamom.
Dhokla is a Gujarati savory snack made from fermented gram and rice flour, steaming into a fluffy cake-like texture. It is usually tempered with spices and curry leaves.
Baingan bharta is a North Indian side dish made from roasted and mashed eggplant cooked with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices, creating a smoky, delicious flavor.
Goan fish curry features firm white fish cooked in a coconut-based curry with turmeric, tamarind, and chili, creating a tangy and spicy taste.
Korma is a South Indian dish made from ground nuts and meat or vegetables braised in a yogurt sauce seasoned with mild spices.
Ras malai is an East Indian delicacy made with spongy milk curd disks soaked in a creamy, cardamom-infused sweet milk syrup and garnished with pistachios and almonds.
Gulab jamun is a classic Indian dessert made from a deep-fried dough of milk solids soaked in sugar syrup fragranced with rosewater and cardamom.
Masala dosa originates from South India. The dish is a thick, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with a spiced potato mixture, and served with chutneys.
Pav bhaji, a popular Mumbai street food, is a spiced vegetable mash served with buttered bread rolls and typically garnished with onions and cilantro.
Dal tadka is a classic Indian comfort food made from lentils cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices. The dish is topped with tempered ghee or oil, garlic, cumin, and red chili.
Vada pav is a Mumbai staple, featuring a spicy, deep-fried potato patty sandwiched in a soft bread roll, commonly served with chutney and fried green chilies.
Aloo gobi is a tasty meat-free dish, featuring potatoes and cauliflower cooked with onions, tomatoes, and fragrant spices.
Biryani features layers of rice, meat, or fish, and vegetables cooked in aromatic spices. It's often topped with fried onions and boiled eggs.
Palak paneer is a simple yet tasty dish comprising paneer (Indian cheese) mixed with a creamy spice-infused spinach sauce.
Originating from Kashmir, rogan josh features lamb or goat slow-cooked in a rich, spicy yogurt-based sauce.
Tandoori chicken is made from chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then roasted in a tandoor. It's typically served with rice, salad, or raita (a yogurt-based condiment).
Paneer tikka is a dish made from chunks of paneer cheese marinated in spices and grilled in a tandoor (a large, vase-shaped clay oven).
Saag paneer is a well-loved Indian side dish, featuring paneer cheese cooked in sautéed spinach and spices. It's served with roti, naan, or rice.
Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, is made with chicken, spices, tomatoes, and cream. Serve it with naan or rice for a delicious, hearty meal.
Sources: (BBC Good Food) (Cozymeal) (Delish)
See also: Fascinating photos of street food around the world
A samosa is a fried pastry stuffed with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, meat, or fish. It is best enjoyed as an appetizer to a meal or as a snack.
Panipuri, a popular street food, consists of small, hollowed fried dough balls filled with potatoes and spicy, sweet, and tangy water (pani.)
Idli is a South Indian breakfast dish made by steaming a batter of fermented black lentils and rice into round, fluffy cakes. Serve with chutneys and sambar.
Originally from Kolkata, kathi rolls began as skewer-roasted meat wrapped in paratha bread. Now, kathi rolls refer to any filling wrapped in an Indian flatbread.
Indian cuisine features a diverse and flavorful selection of dishes inspired by the country's rich tapestry of history and culture and its abundance of spices. From Kerela's fiery curries to Hyderabad's aromatic biryanis, there is something to suit every palate. Vegetarians won't miss out either; there are plenty of meat-free options!
If that sounds up your alley, click through this gallery to journey through India's most-loved dishes.
The best Indian dishes around
From butter chicken to aloo gobi!
FOOD World cuisine
Indian cuisine features a diverse and flavorful selection of dishes inspired by the country's rich tapestry of history and culture and its abundance of spices. From Kerela's fiery curries to Hyderabad's aromatic biryanis, there is something to suit every palate. Vegetarians won't miss out either; there are plenty of meat-free options!
If that sounds up your alley, click through this gallery to journey through India's most-loved dishes.