The Ultimate Indian Bucket List 50 Dishes You Must Try Before You Die
India is not only a country but also a sensory experience. If you are a foodie, there is no end to the textures, aromas, and tastes offered by the Indian environment, each differing in the next few kilometers. From the winding roads of Chandni Chowk to the calm waters of 50 Dishes You Must Try Alleppey in a houseboat ride, food will take you back into the rich history and geography of India.
If you are visiting India for the purpose of culinary exploration, then this blog post is your go-to guide to 50 dishes that you must try.
Legends of the North
1. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
India’s culinary ambassador. Pieces of chicken, grilled to perfection, soaking in buttery tomato gravy that is creamy and slightly sweet.
2. Chole Bhature
Punjabi breakfast at its best. Spicy chickpeas with flaky, fried bread. You haven’t really experienced the magic of Delhi unless you’ve tried this one out on the streets of the city.
3. Rogan Josh
This is a Kashmiri specialty dish. Lamb meat that has been cooked slowly and simmered with the heat of Kashmiri red chilies and ginger. 50 Dishes You Must Try
4. Dal Makhani
This dish is made using black lentils and kidneys which are slow-cooked with charcoal smoke and lots of cream for 24 hours. One of the top 50 dishes to try if you visit North India.
5. Nihari
Slow cooked stew prepared from either beef or lamb, traditionally eaten by royalty for breakfast.
Coastal Wonders and Southern Staples
6. Masala Dosa
A crispy pancake made of rice and lentil batter, which is filled with a mixture of mashed potatoes prepared with spices. It comes with sambar and coconut chutney, making it the king of South Indian breakfast dishes.
7. Hyderabadi Biryani
This is the choice of Nizam, and it consists of rice and meat prepared using ‘Dum,’ i.e., steaming method, and flavored by fragrances and spices. 50 Dishes You Must Try
8. Kerala Prawn Curry
It is also known as Chemmeen Moilee. It comprises prawn cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with curry leaves.
9. Idli & Sambar
The healthiest breakfast that can give you an excellent start to your day. Rice cakes that serve as a sponge to absorb the rich lentil soup.
10. Fish Recheado
The spice of Goan cuisine presented in the form of a whole fish stuffed with a fiery hot masala.
The Street Food Revolution
The list of 50 dishes that you should eat will never be complete without the hustle-bustle of the streets.
11. Pani Puri / Golgappa
Mini, crunchy, empty balls packed with flavored water, tangy tamarind sauce, and chickpea paste. It’s a mouthful of a treat. 50 Dishes You Must Try
12. Vada Pav
Known as the “Bombay Burger,” it consists of potato balls inside a soft bun with garlic sauce.
13. Litti Chokha
Coming from Bihar, it involves the preparation of baked wheat balls stuffed with gram flour paste along with mashed veggies.
14. Pav Bhaji
It includes a paste of veggies cooked in butter served with warm bread rolls. This dish is the essence of the food sold at Mumbai’s nighttime markets.
15. Aloo Tikki
Eastern Exquisite Dishes and Royal Cuisine Dishes
16. Macher Jhol
A delicious fish stew cooked in spiced mustard oil. It is very popular and pairs well with steamed rice.
17. Rosogolla
Sponge balls made from cottage cheese served in a thin layer of sugar syrup. It is a must try for lovers of sweets.
18. Galouti Kebab
These kebabs originated in Lucknow, but they are known all across India because they melt in one’s mouth. 50 Dishes You Must Try
19. Laal Maas
A very fiery dish of mutton prepared with mathania chilies. It is definitely for those who like hot foods.
20. Dhokla
A delicacy made by fermenting gram flour dough, served after boiling. It is a popular snack item in Gujarat.
Expanding the Horizon: 30 More Essential Bites
To truly round out the 50 Dishes You Must Try, we must look at the snacks, the seasonal specials, and the regional gems:
- Misal Pav (Spicy sprout curry from Maharashtra)
- Poha (Flattened rice with turmeric and onions)
- Kathi Roll (Kolkata’s famous street wrap)
- Appam with Stew (Fermented rice pancakes from Kerala)
- Daal Baati Churma (The iconic trio of Rajasthan)
- Thalipeeth (Multigrain savory pancake)
- Gajar Ka Halwa (Winter carrot pudding)
- Kulfi (Traditional Indian ice cream)
- Malai Kofta (Paneer dumplings in creamy gravy)
- Amritsari Kulcha (Stuffed bread from the heart of Punjab)
- Bebinca (Goan multi-layered cake)
- Mysore Pak (Ghee-based fudge)
- Jalebi with Rabri (Deep-fried spirals in syrup)
- Pork Bharta (A spicy tribal specialty from Tripura)
- Tunday Kababi (Lucknow’s historical masterpiece)
- Shahi Tukda (The “Royal Piece” bread pudding)
- Undhiyu (Mixed vegetable winter dish from Gujarat)
- Bisi Bele Bath (Spicy rice and lentil dish from Karnataka)
- Paya Soup (Slow-cooked trotters soup) 50 Dishes You Must Try
- Gushtaba (Kashmiri meatballs in yogurt gravy)
- Kachori (Fried pastry stuffed with lentils or onions)
- Samosa (The world-famous triangular snack)
- Chicken 65 (Spicy deep-fried chicken from Chennai)
- Momos (The Himalayan dumpling)
- Payasam (The South Indian version of Kheer)
- Medu Vada (Salty donut-shaped fritters)
- Baingan Bharta (Smoked mashed eggplant)
- Khandvi (Silky gram flour rolls)
- Gongura Mutton (Tangy mutton from Andhra Pradesh)
- Phuchka (The Kolkata version of Pani Puri)
The 50 Dishes You Must Try represent the soul of India. Each bite is a mix of tradition and local ingredients.
Conclusion
India is a country where food itself is believed to be sacred. This list of50 Dishes You Must Try is merely the start of an endless romance with the spices of India. Whether it is the fiery south that you like or the lavish north that entices you, there is always a dish awaiting you. Be you a tourist or a food lover in India, make it your aim to taste these 50 Dishes You Must Try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. In which city should I eat street food in India?
Though Delhi is known to be the food capital, cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Indore have their own distinct street food culture.
2. Is all Indian cuisine spicy?
Not at all! Though many dishes on the list include spices, not all of them are considered “spicy” since a large number of dishes like Dal Makhani or Ishtu are not at all spicy.
3. Which is the most popular dish among the 50 Dishes You Must Try?
Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala top global charts; however, when talking about India’s favorite, Biryani comes to mind first.
4. Are there enough vegetarian dishes available in India?
There are no restrictions in the world of vegetarian cuisine, considering that India has the largest number of vegetarians globally, with half of the 50 Dishes You Must Try being vegetarian.
5. Which season should I plan a food tour in India?
Winter is the perfect time to go on a food tour in India because you will get to indulge in rich and hearty dishes without any heat