Top 10 Food Dishes to Try in India

One of India’s most famous dishes, Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) hails from Punjab. This creamy, mildly spiced dish features succulent chicken cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy with butter and cream. Traditionally served with naan or basmati rice. It's on top of my 29 States famous food list India.

Samosa is a crispy, deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat. It is an integral part of Indian street food. Found in every corner of the country, samosas are typically served with tamarind or mint chutney, making them a perfect snack for any time of the day.

Dosa is a thin, crispy, and savory pancake made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. Originating from South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, dosa is a staple breakfast dish, often served with coconut chutney and sambar. Variations like Masala Dosa, stuffed with spiced potato filling, are especially popular among food lovers.

Idli is a soft, steamed rice cake that is a breakfast staple in South India. Made from fermented rice and lentil batter, idlis are light, healthy, and easy to digest. They are typically served with coconut chutney and sambar, making them a nutritious and delicious meal.

Biryani is one of India’s most iconic and flavorful dishes, loved for its rich aroma and delicious blend of spices. This fragrant rice dish, layered with marinated meat (chicken, mutton, or beef) and slow-cooked to perfection. Hyderabadi Biryani, is the most famous briyani in India.

Often called Mumbai’s “burger,” Vada Pav is a popular street food consisting of a spicy, deep-fried potato fritter (vada) placed inside a soft bun (pav) and served with chutneys and fried green chilies. Originating in Maharashtra, this humble yet flavorful snack is a favorite among locals and travelers alike.

A rich and creamy lentil dish, Dal Makhani originates from Punjab and is a staple in North Indian cuisine. Made with black lentils (urad dal) and kidney beans (rajma), slow-cooked with butter and cream, this dish is packed with flavor. It is best enjoyed with naan or jeera rice, making it a favorite at Indian restaurants worldwide.

Litti Chokha is a traditional dish from Bihar and Jharkhand. Litti are wheat flour dumplings stuffed with roasted gram flour (sattu) and spices, baked or roasted over an open flame. Chokha, a spicy mash of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes, is served alongside, giving the dish its distinctive smoky and earthy flavors.

Dhokla is a soft, spongy snack from Gujarat, made from fermented chickpea flour and rice. It is steamed to perfection, giving it a light texture, and then tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies. Often served with mint or tamarind chutney, Dhokla is a favorite tea-time snack.

It consists of spicy chickpea curry (chole) served with deep-fried, fluffy bread (bhature). The combination of rich flavors and textures makes it a popular street food and restaurant dish, often enjoyed with pickles, onions, and a glass of lassi.