A Rundown On India's Various Regional Cuisines

28 December 2020
Indian food is not actually classified as a unified network of dishes that make up their cuisine. As it stands for many of the world’s cuisines, there are elements from various regions that make up their entire food culture. While you’ll usually only find authentic Indian dishes in their respective areas, some restaurants have multiple influences from their origin and the country in which they are located.

Tower Tandoori in the United Kingdom is the best option for a taste bud adventure. Fortunately, the oldest Indian takeaway in London has served wonderful Indian dishes that can give you a taste of India’s lovely cuisine as a whole. With a plethora of flavours and taste notes that will provide a uniquely exciting experience, any region of India will give you a run for your money. Here are some of the various regional cuisines found in this culture-rich country and how these tie into their culinary experiences:

Northern Indian Cuisine

If you are eating Indian food outside of India, you’re likely tasting Northern variants of the cuisine. It has plenty of dairy products in the mix, such as milk, cheeses, ghee, and yoghurt. Snacks typically include potato and meat-stuffed samosas, which are popular in most Indian restaurants found in the west. Vegetable dishes include dal or paneer cooked with a creamy tomato sauce with onions and other spices to give it a kick of flavour. Curry in Northern India is known for its creamy taste from coconut milk or a yoghurt mixture, containing chicken, lamb, or the occasional beef or paneer. 

Tandoors, which are clay ovens, are popular in India’s northern areas, giving the various grilled dishes their distinctive flavour reminiscent of charcoal. Tower Tandoori serves Tandoori Murgh and other kinds of grilled proteins, piping hot from the tandoor oven. 

Southern Indian Cuisine

Southern Indian cuisine is a rare variant of Indian food, as it differs from the usual offerings and isn’t a standard option for many restaurants. The texture of the dishes can be drier in terms of consistency. Food from this region is also typically fried or cooked on a griddle, such as rice pancakes called Dosas filled with vegetables or curries. Not many westerners appreciate Southern Indian cuisine, but this is probably because it isn’t offered enough in restaurants away from southern India. 

Western Indian Cuisine

India’s western regions typically are coastal, making their cuisine dominantly pescatarian. Their dishes use coconut milk to add a distinct aroma and taste. There are three main western regions, namely: Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Maharashtra is where fish and coconut are used more often, while Gujarat uses vegetables and has some sweetness due to Chinese influence. Goa has a distinct blend of Portuguese and Indian elements because of their trade ports during the earlier centuries. The region produces many small vegetables and fruits because of its dry climate, and the dishes use plenty of chutneys to add a variety of flavours. 

Eastern Indian Cuisine

Eastern India is known for its desserts, which you’d typically find in the finale menu to any meal in an Indian restaurant. This region has a light sweetness to their dishes, which cleanses the palate excellently without overpowering the tongue with sweetness. The eastern areas are also heavy rice and fish users but feature fewer spices than other Indian areas. 

Conclusion

Most Indian food found outside the country is typically an amalgamation of multiple cuisines familiar to how the chefs grew up. These flavours vary from person to person, so tastes likely change as time goes on. However, London’s oldest Indian takeaway is something else, with over four decades of culinary experience, while providing the United Kingdom with incredible food. 

Tower Tandoori is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in London, the United Kingdom. With a mix of all kinds of flavours and regional cuisines, your taste buds are going to go on a wonderful journey. Call us today to order your favourite Indian dishes and have a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in your home!
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