The food culture of North India is rich and full of flavours. The region is home to creamy, stuffed, and smoky cuisines packed with spices, herbs, and other ingredients. Here are the top 15 dishes you must try on a culinary tour in North India.
Best Dishes to Try in North India Travelling
- Butter Chicken
- Rogan Josh
- Chole Bhature
- Rajma
- Aloo Paratha
- Paneer Tikka
- Biryani
- Korma
- Nihari
- Pindi Chole
- Malai Kofta
- Tandoori Chicken
- Litti Chokha
- Dahi Bhalla
- Jalebi
1. Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken is one of the most loved dishes and is famous in Delhi and other parts of North India. It is cooked in butter, cashews, and other spices, which gives it a rich, creamy, and unique flavour. It is generally served with garlic naan or steamed rice.
2. Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh primarily originated from Kashmir. It is a slow-cooked lamb that is made with aromatic spices and is served with a gravy made of yogurt and tomatoes. It is combined with butter naan or tandoori naan and pulao, a complete meal.
3. Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a traditional Punjabi dish that is usually served for breakfast or lunch. Chole Bhature is a spicy chickpea curry that is served with large, fluffy fried bread. This is a satisfying, hearty meal and one of the most famous food dishes in North India.
4. Rajma
Rajma is the comfort food for most North Indians. It is made with tomatoes, onion, ginger, garlic, and other aromatic spices, which are served hot and generally eaten with steamed rice. A classic and comfortable treat that you must not miss.
5. Aloo Paratha
Aloo paratha is the most famous North Indian breakfast. Spiced mashed potatoes are stuffed inside the flour dough and fried with butter or ghee. Generally, it is accompanied by curd or pickle, and everyone loves it.
6. Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka is a great option for all the veggies out there! Paneer Tikka is one of the popular starters, and the pieces of paneer are marinated with yoghurt and spices. It is then grilled until succulent and topped with butter.
7. Biryani
Biryani is another savory dish of North India. It consists of layers of spiced rice, marinated meat, vegetables, and spices such as saffron and cardamom. It is served with chutney and salad in the local cafes and fine dining restaurants.
8. Korma
Rich and creamy, korma is filled with flavors often made with meat or vegetables. It tastes slightly sweet and generally made with yogurt, cream, and spices. It is usually accompanied by naan or rice.
9. Nihari
Nihari is a popular Mughlai dish, famous in Delhi and Lucknow. A long, slow-cooked stew of meat (usually lamb or beef) flavoured with various spices and eaten with naan. It’s a perfect winter dish as it helps you to keep warm.
10. Pindi Chole
While your regular chole is kind of a gravy, pindi chole is the dry version of chickpeas made with whole spices. Most often it is served with poori or kulcha and is a popular street food in Punjab and Delhi.
11. Malai Kofta
Malai kofta is a creamy veg gravy, where the dry fruits and paneer stuffed dumpling balls are dipped in rich sweet and spicy gravy. It is normally served with naan or jeera rice.
12. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken is a signature North Indian dish wherein chicken is marinated in yoghourt, lemon juice and other spices which is slowly grilled in a tandoor (clay oven). It is served with green chutney and salad.
13. Litti Chokha
Specialty from Bihar, Litti Chokha is a roasted wheat flour ball stuffed with spiced gram flour and served with mashed vegetable: eggplant and potatoes. The litti is generally made on coal to give it a smoky taste. It is one of the most popular street foods in North India that you must try.
14. Dahi Bhalla
A famous street food in India, Dahi Bhalla is fried lentil balls, soaked in yoghourt and served with tamarind and mint chutney, sprinkled with spices. It is generally prepared during festivals like Holi and Diwali.It is a light, rejuvenating, and healthy option which can be served as a snack.
15. Jalebi
Every meal is incomplete without a dessert. Jalebi is one of the most popular desserts of North India. Deep fried balls of batter are soaked in sugar syrup to become irresistibly sweet and sticky.Jalebi is served hot and it is a crispy and flavour dessert that is often topped with rabri. It is famous in Rajasthan, Delhi, Lucknow and is enjoyed by people in almost all parts of North India.
Conclusion
The culinary culture of North India has something for everyone from spicy curries and hearty meat dishes to street food snacks you simply can not miss. The history and the rich traditions is reflected in the food of every state of North India. Therefore, the next time you are craving something unique, go for these dishes.