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31 Dishes That Define the 31 Cuisines of India

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Amity chapter.

The cuisines in India are as diverse as its multi-ethnic culture. The exotic and the delicious dishes of India are marked by the subtle uses of spices and herbs. Every region has their own claim to fame dishes and different styles of cooking. The method of cooking, the flavor and their specialties change with the landscapes. Here are 31 dishes that define the cuisines of India.

1. Rogan Josh

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of @cuisitive on Instagram

It is an aromatic lamb dish of Persian origin and stands as one of the best signature dishes of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The dish is ideally enjoyed with steaming hot white rice.

2. Aloo ke Gutke

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of funfoodandfrolic.com

The dish is found in the local regions of Uttrakhand. It is basically potatoes stir fried in spices. It is best served with hillside cucumber yogurt and a cup or two of Indian Chai. The combination may sound odd, but that is the usual menu of a typical Uttarakhand tea-time affair.

3. Litti Chokha

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of @aastharohella on Instagram

It is a common and much loved dish of Bihar, served for breakfast or as a tea time snack and sometimes even for lunch with dal. Litti is often stuffed with seasoned fried gram flour powder and baked on coal or in an oven, and Chokha is mashed vegetable, usually prepared with potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant.

4. Rosogulla/ Rasgulla

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of archanaskitchen.com

It is a regional classic dessert from the state of West Bengal. These are delicate cottage cheese dumplings, soaked in sugar syrup.

5. Dum ki Biryani

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of jaffarsfeast.com

It is a form of biryani, from Karnataka. It was originated after blending Mughlai and Iranian cuisine in the kitchens of the Nizam. It is usually served with Dahi chutney (yogurt, mint, and onion) and Mirchi ka salan – a green chili curry. Baghara baingan(roasted Eggplant) is a common side dish.

6. Idli – Sambar

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of lifestyleinindia.com

It is a traditional breakfast in South Indian households. Idli is a savory cake. They are made by steaming a batter consisting of fermented black lentils (de-husked) and rice. Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable stew or chowder based on a broth. They are frequently served with chutnies (coconut based), kaara chutney (onion based) or Spicy Fish Curries.

7. Pav Bhaji

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of sanjeevkapoor.com

It is a fast food dish from Maharashtra. It consists of a vegetable curry (bhaji) served with a soft bread roll (pav).

8. Dhokla

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of indiantouristblog.files.wordpress.com

It is a vegetarian food item that originates from Gujarat. It is made with gram flour and subsequently steamed. Dhokla can be eaten for breakfast, as the main course, as a side dish, or as a snack. It is often served with tamarind chutney or green coriander or mint chutney.

9. Dal-Baati-Churma

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of sharmispassions.com

It is a traditional Rajasthani treat. It is served with a spicy dal, the sweet churma along with deep fried crunchy baatis.

10. Chole Bhature

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of lazzycow.com

It is the unofficial dish of New Delhi. It is a concoction of spicy curried chickpeas (chole) and puffy fried white-flour bread (bhature), most often eaten together for breakfast and lunch.

11. Makki ki Roti-Sarson ka Saag

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of scrumptiousindianrecipes.com

It is a traditional dish from Punjab, served with white butter. Sarson ka saag is made from mustard green leaves and makki ki roti is Maize flour flatbread. It is often eaten for lunch and dinner.

12. Meen Curry

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of yummytummyaarthi.com

It is a type of fish curry from Kerala. It can be found in many variations, with or without coconut milk or fried or untried fried fish. Usually, Meen Curry is prepared in an open mouth earthenware pot.

13. Akki Roti

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of kannadacuisine.com

It is a beloved favourite in Karnataka. It is a spicy bread made from rice flour and served with coconut chutney.

14. Prawn Vindaloo

Cuisines of India

Photo by aleenaindianrestaurant.com

It is a famous hot and spicy Goan dish. Vindaloo is mainly served with rice, pao or rotis. Goa has various takes on Vindaloo.

15. Chaat

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of @Mannikalocallydelhi on Instagram

Chaat refers to a delicious savoury snack. It is typically served at a road side food stall or food carts. Most chaats originated in parts of Uttar Pradesh. The chaat specialties vary from city to city. Some popular chaat items are Pani Puri, Aloo tikki, Dahi Vada and Sev Puri.

16. Thekua

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of veggieplatter.blogspot.com

It’s a popular dish in the regions of Bihar and Jharkhand. It is a revered prasad (offering to god) in the Chhath puja. It has been used as a sweet snack for centuries in these places. They are made of wheat flour, sugar or jaggery, and ghee.

17. Pitha

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of gayathriscookspot.com

It’s a popular dish in Orissa and Assam. It’s basically rice pastry with different variations such as til pitha (sesame seeds stuffed pitha) and nariyal pitha (shredded coconut filled pitta).

18. Jadoh

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of ammajirecipes.blogspot.in

The dish originates from Meghalaya. It is a luscious pork and rice-based Khasi delicacy. No ceremony is complete without this dish.

19. Chikhvi

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of thesepeasarehollow.blogspot.in

It is the staple dish of Tripura. It is made up of bamboo shoots and pork. However, the best thing about this dish is that it is made without oil. It is served hot with plain rice.

20. Sanpiau

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of wendychawngthu.blogspot.in

It is a staple dish from Mizoram. It is prepared with rice porridge, and is served with fresh coriander paste, spring onions, crushed black pepper, zesty fish sauce and finely powdered rice.

21. Iromba

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of scoopwhoop.com

It is a trademark dish of Manipur. It is is prepared with fermented fish, mashed potatoes, fresh green leaves and blazing red chillies. It is served with rice or Manipuri Millet bread or both.

22. Phagshapa

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of gfcookingclub.com

It is a Nepali Pork dish from Sikkim. It is a strip of pork stewed with radish and dried chillies. It goes really well with just plain rice.

23. Anishi Lon

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of blendingflavours.blogspot.com

Nagaland is well known for its pork delicacies. Anishi Lon is prepared traditionally by steaming in a bamboo shoot, smoked pork dish combined with fermented yam leaves and the very fuming spiciest chillies known as Raja Chillies. The smoked pork curry tastes heavenly with steamed plain rice.

24. Zan

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of macrochef.files.wordpress.com

This popular dish belongs to Arunachal Pradesh. It is prepared with millet flour and boiling water. This appetizing spicy porridge can be enjoyed with green vegetables and charred meat.

25. Soya Dosa

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

It is a typical pondicherry dish. The traditional methodology involves combining soya milk with wheat flour with other dry spices, but there are various variations also present.

26. Dalma

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of realbharat.org

It is a popular dish from Odisha. It is made from toor dal and chopped vegetables such as green papaya, unripe banana, pumpkin, and gourd. It is among the 56 food items (Mahaprasad) offered to Lord Jagannath in the temple of Puri.

27. Red Ant Chutney

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of lonelyplanet.in

This dish can be found in Chattisgarh. This is one of the most bizarre dishes made in India. It is made from red ants along with their eggs. Don’t worry, it’s a popular dish in this state and you won’t die after eating it.

28. Sepu Badi

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of maayeka.com

It is specialty from Himachal Pradesh. It is a spinach curry with lentil dumplings. It is served with cumin rice or roti.

29. Bhutte ki Kees

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of myspicykitchen.net

It’s a street food from Madhya Pradesh. It is traditionally made by grating corn off the cob, then roasting it in ghee and spices.

30. Lassi

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of makemytrip.com

It originates from Punjab. It is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes, fruit.

31. Jalebi

Cuisines of India

Photo courtesy of bawarchi.com

It is hard to pinpoint exactly where it has originated from. It is a melt-in-the-mouth sweet. It is made by deep-frying a wheat flour batter in circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. It’s a Mithai, you just can’t resist.

Pursuing a dual degree in business and law. Self-Trained Baker and Chocolatier. A food connoisseur. Believe food is the best way to understand any place, person and culture.