Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are popular Indian Dishes known around the world, but if those are the only two dishes you have tried, you have not even scratched the surface of what Indian cuisine has to offer.

Each region in India has an entirely different variety of cuisine and dishes. If you head 100 miles in any direction, the religion, language, and culinary customs will be completely different. Let's explore each region of India’s cuisine and traditional dishes you will find from North to South, East to West.

Northern Indian Cuisine

In the northern regions of India, the climate is more extreme. Summers are hot, and winters are cold. Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are abundant and commonly used in traditional Indian dishes in the northern part of the country. Dairy products like milk, cream, cottage cheese, ghee, and yogurt are used to cook savory and sweet Indian dishes. Meat and dairy are commonly used as the stars of each dish. The most frequently used meats are mutton, lamb, goat, and chicken. Beef isn't as common in India, as some Hindus regard cows as sacred animals.

Murg Makhani,  Rogan Josh, Lacha Paratha (Layered Bread), Mutter Paneer, and Chole (Chickpea Curry) are some of the most popular dishes served in North India. Specifically, Palak Paneer is one of the most popular Indian dishes comfort foods served in the Northern region of India and is made with Paneer cubes in a smooth spinach curry.

Southern Indian Cuisine

The cuisine of South India is just as diverse as the region itself. With over 250 million people and dozens of languages spoken in this area, South Indian cuisine reflects a wide range of cultures and flavors. South Indian dishes are lighter and centered around a rice as the base. Compared to traditional North Indian cuisine, South Indian dishes are typically spicier. Each bite of South Indian food is bursting with bold flavors and ingredients like curry leaves, peppercorns, tamarind, coconut, and chilies.

South Indian cuisine is home to some of the most coveted dishes. According to the Patel Bros, Dosa, Idli, Vada, Sambar and Hyderabadi Biryani are five South Indian delicacies you should try.

Dosa is a thin, lacey crepe made with fermented rice and lentil batter. It's typically served for breakfast and the most popular type is masala dosa, filled with spicy potato mash. It's served with vegetable sambar and coconut chutney.

Eastern Indian Cuisine

Due to its geographical location, Eastern Indian cuisine is heavily influenced by Chinese and Mongolian cooking traditions. The climate produces abundant rice, green vegetables, and fruits commonly used in regional recipes, which creates a healthy balance between vegetarians and vegans. The coastal location provides fresh seafood, which is the centerpiece of most dishes.

Other common ingredients in Eastern Indian cuisine include yogurt, coconut, corn, and chickpea flour. Milk and dairy products are used in the preparation of sweets and desserts. Deep frying and steaming are popular cooking methods in Eastern India, with mustard oil being used for both. Other vegetable oils are also utilized, and ghee is reserved for cooking special occasion foods.

Litti Chokha, Machcher Jhol, Rasgulla, Dalma, and Assamese Fish Curry are popular Indian dishes found in the Eastern region of India that highlight the culinary history.

Western Indian Cuisine

West Indian Cuisine can be categorized as primarily vegetarian, although a small section of the society consumes non-vegetarian food. West Indian Cuisine varies from region to region. Cooking in the western region is characterized by simplicity, featuring dishes like Aloo Bhaji, Kadhi, and meals typically paired with rice and puri. The cuisine in the west Indian region of India is diverse, mostly spicy, and predominantly vegetarian, with some popular meat dishes.

Common Indian dishes in the western region of India include Pork Vindaloo, Chicken Xacuti, Fish Curry, Bhelpuri, Thepla, Daal-Baati-Choorma, Laal Maas, and Ghewar. Pork vindaloo is a popular stew from the Indian state of Goa. It is made with hunks of meat, cooked until tender, in a red chile and vinegar sauce and can be spicy.

Indian Cuisine with Chef Bombay

India's landscape and culinary traditions are diverse, ranging from North, South, East and West. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to start trying all of the delicious cuisines India offers.

With Chef Bombay, you can embark on a flavorful journey across India and try each region's traditional dishes in the comfort of your own home. From our Chicken Tikka Masala to our Beef Vindaloo and Biryani, and every samosa, sauce, and curry in between, our goal is to bring authentic Indian food into your home and erase the geographical boundaries between your desire to explore Indian dishes.