Indian cuisine is a journey of a thousand flavours, countless textures and the warmth of people who love to feed you well. And, if you have never had Indian food, now’s the right time.
Masala Dosa, a crisp, golden crepe filled with spiced potatoes, is joy on a plate. Tandoori Chicken, with its smoky, tender bites, makes even a casual dinner feel special, while Kannur Meen Moilee delivers delectable flavours of Kerala’s sunny coast.
So, ready to add a few new favourites to your foodie bucket list? Come along for the delicious ride.
Top Recommendations For Your First Taste Of Indian Food
The Vegetarian Dishes
- Idly With Sambar
Dunk the soft, white, spongy cake into a bowl of hot and spicy lentil stew bubbling with vegetables, mustard seeds and curry leaves and experience a gentle warmth spread from your tongue to your soul.
That is Idli and Sambar, a breakfast staple from South India. They are an excellent example of how simple ingredients can transform into something truly cosy. Do not be surprised should you find yourself craving another as soon as the first set is gone.
- Masala Dosa
Another must-try heartwarming breakfast dish, Masala Dosa is a golden-brown crepe as big as your arm span, crisp along the edges and hiding a warm filling of spicy potato mash inside.
Tear off a piece, dip it into coconut chutney or spicy tomato relish and enjoy the crunch followed by the creamy potatoes. The combination is utterly addictive. Savour it once and you will be dreaming it for days.
- Paneer Butter Masala
Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) float in a velvety, rich tomato sauce kissed with butter and gentle spices. It is a mildly sweet, slightly tangy curry. Scoop it up with Naan or Rice and your eyes might just flutter shut from joy.
The curry feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. It is the kind of dish that makes vegetarians and meat-eaters swoon alike. It could also be the dish you might turn to when you need happiness and maybe a bit of indulgence.
- Malai Kofta
Malai Kofta is a lip-smacking dish that tastes as fancy as it sounds. Soft dumplings made from paneer and potatoes are gently fried and then simmered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with subtle spices and a hint of sweetness.
Every mouthful is soft and yielding, with delicate spices teasing your taste buds without overwhelming them. This curry has roots in royal Mughal kitchens and still tastes regal today.
- Kadala Curry With Idiyappam
From the backwaters of Kerala comes Kadala Curry, a black chickpea curry simmered in coconut gravy, paired beautifully with Idiyappam, the delicately steamed rice noodles pressed into little nests.
Pour the curry over Idiyappam, let the noodles soak up the sauce and dive in. Trust us, it is a memory you would want to relive any day. So, if you have never had Indian food, start here.
- Vegetable Pulao
Vegetable Pulao is for those days when you want a plate that looks as pretty as a spring garden. Each grain of rice remains separate with tender carrots, peas, beans and cashews adding to the bursts of sweetness and crunch.
It is an easy choice for first-timers who want something flavourful but not fiery. Pair it with a spoonful of Raita (a cool yoghurt dish with cucumbers and onions) and you have got yourself something balanced and easy on the stomach.
- Thali
When you cannot decide what to order, go for a Thali. It is a platter filled with small servings of different dishes: curries, dals, rice, bread, pickles, dessert and more. Each one holds a different taste – tangy, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty and sour.
Eating a Thali feels like being invited into someone’s home. It is generous, varied and interesting. North India or South India, every region has its own version. A Thali is perfect for beginners because it is a tasting tour of Indian cuisine on one plate.
The Non-vegetarian Dishes
- Butter Chicken With Naan
Let’s not pretend we are reinventing the wheel, this one is famous for a reason. Butter Chicken has converted many, many sceptics into lifelong lovers of Indian food.
The chicken is marinated in yoghurt and spices, grilled and then cooked in a silky tomato and cream gravy. It goes beautifully with Naan or even Basmati Rice. Try once and you will understand why butter chicken is beloved from Toronto to Tokyo.
- Kannur Meen Moilee
Of all the dishes from Kerala’s coastline, Kannur Meen Moilee has a special place. Green chillies, ginger, curry leaves and turmeric paint the curry a cheerful yellow, while fresh fish stays tender and juicy.
Unlike many fiery curries, Meen Moilee feels mellow and light, like a sea breeze on your face. It is great for someone dipping into Indian seafood for the first time. A scoop of steamed rice alongside this curry will make your day!
- Parotta With Karur Mutton Salna
Parotta is a flaky, layered flatbread that is practically a work of art. Pair it with Karur Mutton Salna, a spicy gravy hailing from Tamil Nadu and you have got a match made in culinary heaven.
The mutton is fall-off-the-bone tender, absorbing spices like a sponge. Tearing off a piece of buttery Parotta and scooping up the fiery Salna is nothing short of bliss. We bet you would savour every last drop of gravy.
- Hyderabadi Gosht Dum Biryani
Biryani is a word that makes hearts beat faster and the Hyderabadi Gosht Dum Biryani wears the crown. Layers of fragrant basmati rice and marinated mutton cook together under a dough-sealed lid, locking in all the aromas.
The result is a dish that is intoxicatingly fragrant and deeply satisfying. This meal might be a bit spicier than others on this list, but for those willing to venture further, it is a wonderful experience.
- Tandoori Chicken
Some folks fall in love at first sight; others fall in love at the first bite of Tandoori Chicken. Marinated in yoghurt and spices, Tandoori Chicken is roasted in a blazing-hot clay oven until the edges char slightly and smoky aromas fill the air.
It is served with onion rings, lemon wedges and mint chutney and it is often eaten as an appetiser. But honestly, it is satisfying enough to be the star of your meal. This is a good choice if you love grilled meats but want something with a little more flair.
- Gosht Rogan Josh
Gosht Rogan Josh is a rich mutton curry tinted red from Kashmiri chillies but not overwhelmingly hot. Lamb is slow-cooked in a gravy perfumed with aromatic spices and yoghurt, creating a sauce that is absolutely rich and festive.
One whiff of the dish and your stomach will be rumbling in anticipation. This dish brings warmth and comfort, the kind that seeps into your bones. Rogan Josh is great for anyone who enjoys meaty dishes with complex flavours that build gently on the palate.
- Meen Polichathu
Unwrapping Meen Polichathu is like opening a gift. The fish emerges juicy, aromatic and mouthwatering. Here, fish, usually pearl spot or pomfret, is marinated in spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on a griddle.
The leaves trap the steam, infusing the fish with a smoky, herbal aroma. The first bite releases a flood of flavours: tangy, spicy and faintly smoky. It is a heavenly experience you should not miss, and perfect for seafood fans exploring Indian cuisine.
And, if reading about these dishes has sparked a craving, we would be delighted to invite you to The Madras Diaries, a fine-dining Indian restaurant in Amsterdam and Utrecht.
We are a team of food lovers who believe great meals should feel like home. We pour our hearts into recreating the authentic tastes of India, right here in the Netherlands. We want you to feel the same joy and nostalgia we feel every time we prepare these dishes.
So, visit us today. Let’s make new food memories together at The Madras Diaries!