If you assume that all Indian cuisines are the same, you may not be able to appreciate the elaborateness of Indian cultures or discover your favourite dish or variety. From North to South or East to West, there are variances in how food is prepared and the ingredients used.

If you enjoy Indian food, you've undoubtedly declared a few dishes to be your favourites, but there are still plenty more to try. Depending on the cook and the kitchen, you might discover a novel approach, dish, or ingredient that excites you like never before.

South Indian Food

Dishes from South India are typically hotter and more tropical than those from traditional North India. Let's discuss some traditional South Indian staples.

Sides and Appetizers from South India

Rice, beans, or lentils are frequently offered with sauces to accompany your main course. Simple sides, such as biryani, daal, and raita, come in various forms.

A fragrant rice meal known as biryani can be prepared in many ways but most frequently uses spices, meat, eggs, yoghurt, and vegetables. Although versions of biryani are exclusive to the South in places like Hyderabad, it’s also common in North India.

Entrees from South India

South Indian dishes that mimic pancakes or crepes include masala dosa and appam. A batter of soaked rice and lentils makes masala dosa, often topped with grated coconut and chopped coriander. Appam is typically shaped like a bowl and is created from a batter of rice flour and coconut milk. 

These pancake-like foods can be consumed at any time of day and are used to serve a variety of things like potatoes, mustard seeds, or fish.

Another typical dish in South India is lemon rice, which you can eat on its own or use as a base for meat and sauces. Lemon rice, as you might expect, is tangy and ideal for adding brightness to your plate.

North Indian Food

Let's look at some Northern recipes to see if you're familiar with them or want to try something new.

Sides and Appetizers from North India

In North India, wheat predominates over rice and lentils, and you'll frequently see naan or other sides made of flour on the menu in restaurants.

Pita-like traditional flatbread is known as naan. Naan can be grilled in a tandoor or cooked on a griddle. It is made of wheat flour and butter mixed and leavened. Naan can be topped with different chutneys or eaten alongside stews and curries.

Delicious seekh kebabs can be made with various ground meats, but lamb is the most popular choice.

Entrees from North India

Numerous creams, sauces, and meats are used to prepare North Indian dishes. North Indian cuisine still contains many spices that give every dish loads of flavour and depth, despite being less spicy.

Adding fried potatoes, cauliflower, or both to gravy or curry creates aloo gobi. Due to the inclusion of turmeric, the dish is frequently yellow, but depending on the curry it is used in, it can take on any hue. Aloo gobi is a wonderful vegetarian dish that is tasty, full, and hearty.

Conclusion

Indian cuisine is just as varied as the cuisine of any other culture. You can uncover unique recipes for each place you travel to, from the North to the South, but there are also characteristics that each region has in common.

Do you want to try some Indian cuisine? If you’re looking for the best Indian restaurant in London, check out Tower Tandoori. You may help satisfy your appetite for them and a variety of other foods. If you're in the area, don't hesitate to call for a takeout order or reserve a table at one of the great restaurants near London Bridge!