How to Find a Good Indian Restaurant

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Indian food includes different cuisines from India and its neighbouring places. They use different spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits to create unique dishes. Many popular Indian restaurants nowadays are family-owned or first-generation establishments. When you are new to this cuisine, it is important to know what kind of food to order. Here are a few reminders on what to buy in an Indian restaurant:

Know What to Eat

Indian food has different spices, sauces, and marinated meat and vegetables. Its influence came from different countries, such as China, Persia, Portugal, and England. The Indian religion, which is Buddhism, also affects food choices so most of them prefer eating vegetables than meat.

– Appetizers – Most Indian appetizers are deep-fried pastries with cream soups and raw vegetable salads. They often serve it with sauces, such as a chutney or yogurt, to balance the spicy flavour. The most famous appetizer is the samosa, a fried pastry with mixed vegetables, meat, and spices inside a dough. Another popular pastry is a pakora, which is similar to samosa. The only difference is that people fry it without stuffing the ingredients inside the dough.

– Drinks – Indian drinks are sweet to complement the spicy taste of their food. Most people prefer ordering a lassi, a sweet yogurt-based shake. A sweet drink, like panakam, with water, sugar, ginger, and limejuice is also a favourite among food lovers. If you are looking for alcoholic drinks, you can order an India Pale Ales or IPA.

– Main Dishes – There are restaurants that offer an all-vegetarian meal for people who do not eat meat. There are cases when cooks convert their meat dishes with a vegetable alternative to suit the customer’s taste. The best main dish to order is a curry. This is made of meat or vegetables soaked in a yogurt or coconut-based marinade. When you go to an indian restaurant, most of the dishes consist of lamb, chicken, rice, or spinach.

– Desserts – Indians love sugar and milk-based desserts with fresh fruits. Most restaurants sweeten their puddings and ice creams with fruits, such as pomegranates, mangos, and bananas. One popular pudding is the kheer, which is a rice pudding with raisins, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Gravy and Spicy Food Choices

People who love spicy foods go to Indian restaurants because they have different levels of spiciness, from mild to very hot. Never choose the spicier dishes if you are merely starting. Chances are you might give up on the food and waste your money after having a bite. Stick to mild foods and order a spicier dish when you think you can handle it.

There is a general rule in Indian cuisine where you order a high-gravy dish with another drier food. The gravy gives a better taste to rice dishes. You can also order a Chapati, Paratha, and Naan to balance the drier dishes.

The rich flavours, spices, and creamy sauces of Indian cuisine are becoming popular to people around the world. Those who love vegetables, sugar and milk-based food items, and spicy dishes visit restaurants frequently. When you are looking for a delicious dish, an indian restaurant is the best way to go.