Indian cuisine is a rich and varied array of hearty curries, homemade breads, deep-fried dishes and one-of-a-kind desserts. The dishes reflect India’s ancient belief that meals should satisfy all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent or spicy, bitter and astringent [1].

Butter chicken is probably the most well-known traditional indian food in the West, but it is just as common on many Indian restaurant menus around the world. It is made by marinating chicken meat in yogurt and spices such as tandoori masala, nutmeg and cumin before being roasted on skewers in a tandoor oven. The resulting succulent meat is then covered in a rich tomato and butter sauce. It’s a luscious dish that can be eaten on its own or with rice and other vegetables. There are also vegetarian versions of this traditional Indian food with paneer, a soft Indian cheese.

A true traditional indian food, naan is a flatbread that is cooked in a tandoor oven. It is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, a perfect complement to soak up the delicious buttery sauces of traditional Indian curries. Naan is available in different shapes including round, triangular and square, but a common variation is to have it stuffed with savory ingredients such as spiced potatoes or paneer.

Another popular traditional indian food is korma, a stewed dish that contains either vegetables or paneer (another soft Indian cheese). The flavor of this creamy curry comes from the mixture of yogurt, saffron, herbs and spices, which can include everything from cinnamon and nutmeg to turmeric and garam masala. Many versions of this traditional Indian food also have a touch of sweetness, thanks to the addition of khoya.

Dhal is a staple that’s served with every Indian meal. It can range from a simple soupy sambar spiked with asafoetida and tamarind to a more substantial tarka dhal with fried garlic, onions and spices. The dish can be made with a variety of lentils, from the familiar yellow daal to the more unusual urad dal, which is skinned black lentils.

Other dishes that make great traditional indian food include dal makhani, which is a classic dish of black beans or red kidney beans with whole, steamed urad dal, and flavored with lots of ghee (Indian clarified butter) as well as ginger, chili peppers, garlic paste, onions and tomatoes. This is a comforting and filling dish that can be savored as a comforting main or with rice or roti on the side.

Another comforting traditional indian food is mulligatawny soup, which is a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander and turmeric with a combination of chickpeas and lentils. The dish is a favorite among infants, since it’s often one of the first solid foods that Indian children are introduced to. The dish is also a staple for people suffering from digestive issues because it can be soothing and help restore normal bowel movements [2].