Indian Food 101: Your Complete Guide to Indian Menus

In this first part of our Indian food guide, we will talk about Indian famous appetizers and bread.

INDIAN APPETIZERS

Indian Appetizers on a plate next to small bowls of dipping sauces Being the foodie country that India is, there’s a meal planned around every time of the day and food available in every corner. Appetizers served in Indian restaurants are typically popular Indian street foods.

Bhajji:

Bhajji (or Pakoras) are crispy deep-fried dollops of spicy chickpea batter served with spicy condiments called chutney. Onion bhajji features thinly sliced onions that have been added to the chickpea batter and then deep-fried to crispy perfection.

Samosa:

Another popular Indian street food is the samosa. Samosas contain a small amount of spicy potato or meat filling that are then wrapped in dough and deep-fried until crispy and flaky.

Vada Pav:

Vadas are deep-fried dumplings or flattened patties of potato, and a pav is a plain old dinner roll. Vada pav is essentially a spicier vegetarian version of sliders where the dumpling or patty is sandwiched between two halves of a dinner roll. Oftentimes, condiments are added to the mix (often a green mint and cilantro chutney).

INDIAN BREADS

Breads in India are mostly flatbreads. It’s the way they are cooked or the type of flour used to make them that determines what they are called.

Naan:

Naan is one of the most popular Indian flatbreads. To make a naan, wheat flour dough is prepared either by allowing it to rise using yeast, or by the addition of yogurt to the dough. That dough is then rolled into flatbreads and cooked in an Indian oven, called a tandoor.

Roti:

Naan is popular on Indian restaurant menus, but roti is a staple in Indian homes. Roti is a no-fuss Indian bread, typically made with whole wheat flour that’s kneaded into a soft dough, then rolled into thin circles and cooked on a tava (Indian skillet) on the stovetop.

Paratha:

Paratha is a flatbread that is layered and pan-fried. They are made with wheat flour, and ghee or oil is smeared between layers of dough while rolling them. But there are many ways in which you can make a paratha, especially stuffed paratha. A Stuffed Paratha is when the filling is stuffed into a ball of dough and then rolled into a flatbread. Aloo Paratha: With spicy potato filling Gobi Paratha: With spicy cauliflower filling Vegetable Paratha: With a variety of vegetables stuffed

Poori:

Poori is flat circles of dough that have been deep-fried in ghee or oil until they puff and become slightly crispy on the outside. Typically served with aloo ki sabzi (stir-fried potatoes), this is beloved comfort food in northern India.
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source: sukhis.com