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Indian Cuisine
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A trip to the different regions of India could see you eating very Indian cuisine. We've split them into three very general areas but you'll find many more varieties within and outside of these. Expect a higher content of chillies in authentic Indian cuisine than your local tandoori restaurant uses - we advise small mouthfuls of any new dishes you try!
Good news for veggies: lots of people in India don't eat meat or fish.
Indian Cuisine - what to eat in the north of India
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Tandoori dishes: If you like tandoori chicken in Britain you should definitely taste it in India. Be aware that the colourful chicken pieces, which get their lurid tint from the seasoning, might be a little hotter than you'd get at home. You'll also find tandoori fish.
Pasanda: Welcome relief if your mouth is feeling a little fiery - pasanda is traditionally lamb, (although you might find chicken or beef) with a less-spicy-than-most sauce of almond, cream and various spices. |
Naan, roti and chapatti: The tandoor (oven) used to cook tandori chicken also bakes nan and roti - breads which are served as an accompaniment to most meals.
Roti often contain vegetable or meat; chapatti are cooked on a griddle.
Panir: A ricotta-like cheese that often comes deep-fried with spinach or peas.
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Indian Cuisine - What to eat in the south of IndiaRice is even more popular in the south than it is in the North! The dishes tend to be lighter but hotter.
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Rasam: A rather watery soup of tomato juice, lentils, pepper and other spices.
Curd rice: Curd rice, or yogurt rice, contains not just yoghurt but chillies and other spices, too.
Sambar: A sort of vegetable stew that might include pumpkin, ochre, aubergines and other interesting vegetables. Curry leaves add extra flavour. |
Indian cuisine - What to eat around GoaVindaloo: Thought of by some as the king of curries, vindaloo (pork in red wine with seriously hot chillies) is fairly specific to Goa. However, if you looking for an even hotter challenge, try the chilli-happy phall.
Indian Cuisine - Bits you find all over
Raita: Made with yoghurt, mint, cucumber and other seasoning, raita is a cooling condiment that will take the edge off hot dishes.
Dal: Dal - lentils - crop up all over India, and can be sweet or savoury. Every region has its own recipes.
Kebabs: Not the post-pub snack popular in Britain, kebabs are pieces of lamb or beef (you might find other meats), skewered and grilled. |
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Samosas: A sort of Indian version of a Cornish pasty, the triangular-shaped samosas are usually filled with peas, onion and potato.
Idli: Nibble on idli - rice and lentil cakes.
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Indian Cuisine - Sweet things
Indian sweetmeats are as sweet as other dishes are hot. Bengal has a strong reputation for its cakes.
Look out for gulab-jamun (deep-fried dough balls in syrup with rose flavourings), rasagolla (balls of curd and semolina, boiled in syrup) and sandesh (a sort of biscuit, with coconut). Kulfi (ice-cream with pistachios) is beautiful. |
Indian Cuisine - What to drinkWater is good for cooling down between mouthfuls of your dal - tap water should be avoided, though. Lassi is a seasoned version of a smoothie and mango lassi is particularly good. Tea drinkers might want to try the versions from Assam and Darjeeling. Alcohol-wise, beer goes well with a lot of the dishes and palm wine, or toddy, is fun to try.
If this has made you hungry then why not try authentic Indian cuisine yourself on your gap trip to India. Check out our India gap trip programmes below!
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Give some much-needed help to social or labour projects in Indian villages. You might carry out restoration work or raise awareness of AIDS, and will get a real feel for village life. Trips to top attractions are included. |
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Experience India from different angles, through the sights of Delhi, the ‘yoga city’ of Rishikesh, the Taj Mahal, pink Jaipur, a tiger safari, a volunteer placement in West Bengal and more. |
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Animal lovers can play an active role in caring for mistreated cats, dogs, monkeys, camels and other creatures. Your duties could also include touring with the animal ambulance, manning the rescue hotline and helping with the vaccination programme. |
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A varied programme that sees volunteers working on childcare projects in the Rajasthan Desert then on a community project near Goa’s beautiful beaches. You’ll change people’s lives while soaking up the scenery. Cultural activities included. |
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Mix sports coaching with community projects and give children in India some much needed structure and inspiration. Your community work could be in education or childcare and you’ll round the project off with a week of travelling. |
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Put your skills to good use in a friendly but deprived area of India. Teach in schools or help in childcare centres and run sports sessions for children. You’ll make them smile and improve their health. |
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Combine trekking, a stay in a tribal village, a yoga course and volunteering with children or adults. You’ll get a real taste of India and help areas that haven’t benefited from international money. |
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Make a real difference to the lives of people in Himalayan India. Your work in orphanages, day centres and schools will have a direct impact and will be much appreciated. Cultural activities and a trip to the Taj Mahal included.
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Work in a school, a childcare centre or a school for children of snake charmers! Your time in any of these places will be rewarding and gratefully received. Excursions including camel and tiger safaris are included.
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Carry out work that will benefit an entire Indian community. Your role will be to empower an isolated community and give them the means to tackle poverty, social stigma and lack of education. |
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This programme is temporarily unavailable. Please contact us for details. This 40 hour online TEFL course allows you to learn at your own pace, when and where you like, to fit around your life schedule allowing flexibility and plenty of time for you to gain the most out of the course. |
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This programme is temporarily unavailable. Please contact us for details. A 60 hour online TEFL course that is slightly more comprehensive with an extra 20 hours gaining a specialist certificate in grammar. Learn at your own pace online and gain your TEFL qualification in your own time! |
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This programme is temporarily unavailable. Please contact us for details. A complete and comprehensive 80 hour online TEFL course that includes everything that the 40 and 60 hour courses include with the addition of 20 hours in 4 specialist teaching certificates and a lifetime access to teaching helpdesk. |
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Travel through the USA, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and India during an unforgettable gap year. Fit in volunteer placements, excursions, paid work opportunities, cultural activities and loads more – but also have time to do your own thing. |
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Discover why so many travellers love this part of the world! Volunteer in India, spend eight weeks in Thailand and work with the wildlife in Malaysia. You’ll get to see things many people miss. |
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