Exploring Eastern Eats: 8 Best Indian Dishes to Try

Indian cuisine checks all the boxes regarding taste, flavor, texture, and aroma. That's why it's making people from around the globe curious and craving.

Some of the more popular Indian dishes cater to vegetarians, thanks to the country's extensive Hindu background. But that doesn't mean meat is off the menu. A handful of Indian dishes have meat as the main ingredient.

However, if it's your first time eating Indian food, recommendations are necessary. We're here to help you decide.

8 Best Indian Dishes to Try for Beginners

Tired of scratching your head and wondering what to order for your first time eating Indian food? Treat this short list as your introduction to the best culinary creations of South Asia. Here are 8 of the best dishes that will make you fall in love with Indian cuisine.

1. Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)

We're kicking off this list with a mouth watering meat dish many consider India's best.

Let this creamy chicken curry a top-tier Indian dish transport you to a buttery trance. Originally cooked in Northern India, Murgh Makhani rests on the milder side of the spiciness spectrum. It could quickly become a go-to comfort food for tired parents or busy students.

The tender-juicy chicken breasts are marinated in yogurt and garlic-ginger paste. Its creamy gravy blends the sweetness of fresh tomato sauce with the enticing flavors of garam masala.

2. Dal Khichdi

Dal Khichdi is a popular vegetarian dish in the Indian subcontinent. It's so ubiquitous that it's considered India's de facto national dish.

The people of India would cook this rice and lentil-based one-pot meal with spices to infuse flavors. Side dishes like tomato chutney, curd, and pickle go well with this dish. Dal Khichdi is rich in protein. It would be best to try it during the day for a much-needed energy boost.

3. Biryani

A conversation on Indian food isn't enough without mentioning Biryani. It's so popular that Indians ordered this dish for delivery more than other options last year!

Biryani is a mixture of basmati rice, spices, vegetables, and meat. It's difficult to pass on this indulgent slow-cooked rice meal infused with chicken, prawns, venison, or lamb flavors

4. Masala Chai

Calm your nerves and tummy with a cup of this black tea brew. Perfect for all occasions, Masala Chai is the quintessential Indian meal companion.

It combines the sweetness of milk and sugar with the enticing aroma of various spices. Cardamom, fennel seeds, nutmeg, and star anise make this drink delicious and healthy.

5. Samosa

Samosas are one of the most sought-after Indian delicacies. Initially sold as street food, its sweet and sour goodness brought it into the menus of most Indian restaurants.

It's a simple yet delectable deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes. To enhance the flavor, dried mango or pomegranate powder is added to the filling.

6. Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala shares several similarities with butter chicken regarding ingredients and presentation. However, there are pronounced differences between the two.

The tikka in the dish's name refers to roasting or grilling. Northern Indians created this dish to put scraps of tandoori chicken (cooked using a tandoor clay oven) to good use. The result? A creamy tomato chicken curry that has a more earthy and spicy taste.

7. Rogan Josh

Although "rogan josh" literally translates to "red hot," this curry is generally mild. Rogan josh is a curry with thick red sauce and soft meat.

For this dish, lamb or venison is typically browned in clarified butter. Then, it'll be sauteed in spices and ultimately slow-cooked in yogurt until the meat becomes very tender.

8. Saag Paneer

Saag paneer is a green curry of pureed vegetables cooked with curdled cottage cheese cubes. It's one of India's most-ordered vegetarian dishes due to its exciting take on veggies.

The greens, typically spinach, are ground into a silky paste. Coconut milk and spices are mixed to add exciting tastes and flavors.

Bring Indian Food to Your Table

Don't bother scouring your pantry and making a mess in your kitchen to make these foods. Rushing to the restaurant is also unnecessary. You don't have to leave home to get your first dose of Indian cuisine.

As the modern foodie quips, "Don't come to the food. Let it come to you."

We've given you a list of the best Indian food dishes to order. Now, it's your turn. Order using our app or hotline at (630) 717-4209. Check if we deliver to your area.