Hungry taste buds yearn for excitement, and Indian non-veg dishes light up with fireworks of flavour. They serve up heat, depth and comfort in one go.
The fiery crackle of Chicken 65, the regal warmth of Gosht Rogan Josh and the coastal charm of Meen Polichathu – all of these creations promise adventure for the palate.
So, follow this delicious trail, where each dish ahead reveals a new reason to love Indian cuisine.
A Line-Up Of India’s Best Non-Vegetarian Dishes
- Chicken Lollipop
One look at Chicken Lollipop and you know this dish is here to party. Each chicken wing is pushed down the bone to form a meaty ‘lollipop,’ then dipped in batter and fried until golden. They are then tossed in an addictive, sticky sauce.
It is a dish perfect for gatherings. You will find people eagerly reaching across the table. Many who taste Chicken Lollipop for the first time find themselves nodding, eyes slightly glazed, as though they have discovered a new secret comfort food.
- Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken reigns supreme across India. Marination is the secret here. A careful mix of yoghurt, chilli, garlic and spices works its magic for hours before the meat ever hits the flames. Eating Tandoori Chicken is an experience that ignites all senses.
You smell the smoke, feel the warmth, taste the spices teasing your taste buds. This dish is special because it is high on charred edges and bold spices, but still light enough to leave you ready for the next course.
- Chicken 65
The name alone sparks curiosity. Chicken 65 hails from Tamil Nadu and is a dish many people from the South swear by when they crave something crunchy, hot and deeply flavorful. One taste and the craving becomes irresistible.
Tiny morsels of chicken get marinated in a lively blend of ginger, garlic, red chilli, lemon and a secret masala mix unique to each chef. It would be hard to stop popping piece after piece into your mouth. A squeeze of fresh lime takes the flavours even higher.
- Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken or Murgh Makhani, occupies a unique corner in the world of Indian non-veg cuisine. It is a lip-smacking dish that pleases spice novices and heat chasers alike, finding that sweet middle ground where flavours burst brightly but never burn.
Legend has it that a resourceful chef in Delhi decided to rescue leftover Tandoori Chicken by simmering it in a sauce of tomatoes, butter and cream. That single moment of ingenuity led to a dish now adored across continents.
- Kozhi Chettinad
From Tamil Nadu comes Kozhi Chettinad, a fiery chicken curry boasting bold flavours. Black pepper, fennel, cinnamon, star anise and red chillies create a powerful masala paste. Chicken pieces simmer until tender, soaking in this spicy goodness.
Tears might well up from the heat yet you would be unable to stop scooping up the curry with soft Dosas or Rice. It is a dish that commands your attention and makes you reach for a tall glass of water while grinning from ear to ear.
- Kari Chukka Dosa
Kari Chukka Dosa invites diners into a delightful meeting of crispness and rich meatiness. It features a dosa topped with spicy minced meat, cooked until dry and loaded with green chillies, onions and garam masala.
A bite of this dish crackles under your teeth, releasing spice and juicy meat. It is ideal for folks who crave a breakfast with some serious punch.
- Gosht Rogan Josh
Coloured by the deep red from Kashmiri chillies and enhanced by cardamom and cloves, Gosht Rogan Josh offers a rich taste from slow-cooked lamb that falls apart at the mere nudge of a spoon.
It stands tall among India’s finest meat dishes. Rogan Josh has a way of making you pause mid-bite to marvel at its depth. It is not extremely spicy. Instead, it is an elegant dance of spices and meat, with the chillies lending colour rather than heat.
- Mutton Seekh Kebab
A skewer of minced mutton is kneaded with onions, green chillies and spices and grilled until juicy and slightly charred. Expert hands shape the mixture onto iron rods, ensuring each Kebab cooks evenly.
That is the delectable Mutton Seekh Kebab for you. The smell alone could make you swoon. The Kebab bursts with meaty richness and spices, and a squeeze of lime, mint chutney and onion rings take it straight to the heavens.
- Hyderabadi Gosht Dum Biryani
Few words light up an Indian’s face like ‘Hyderabadi Gosht Dum Biryani.’ It is not merely rice and meat cooked together. It is a lavish affair involving marinated meat, fragrant basmati rice, fried onions, mint, saffron and spices hidden between layers.
The sealed ‘dum’ cooking locks in aromas, ensuring each grain of rice gleams with flavour. The grain of rice is separate yet infused with meaty juices. A forkful of biryani feels like a celebration on your tongue.
- Meen Polichathu
Travel down to Kerala and you will hear about Meen Polichathu, a fish dish lovingly cooked in banana leaves. Pearl spot or pomfret are popular choices, coated in a masala of turmeric, onions, tomatoes and coconut oil.
Once wrapped, the fish steams gently, soaking up earthy leaf aromas. Eaten with rice or appam, this dish evokes lazy afternoons on houseboats and ocean breezes drifting through coconut palms.
- Nandu Rasam
Nandu Rasam, the crab soup, comes from Tamil Nadu and is pure comfort in a bowl. Crab shells simmer with tomatoes, garlic, black pepper and curry leaves. It is a great coastal delicacy that soothes the body and soul.
It is the kind of dish that clears blocked sinuses, lifts spirits and makes you feel cared for. A sip warms you from within and leaves a delightful peppery tingle on your tongue.
- Royyala Vepudu
Some dishes do not just feed the stomach; they comfort the soul. Royyala Vepudu is that dish. Hailing from the vibrant kitchens of Andhra Pradesh, Royyala Vepudu is a spicy prawn fry that carries the heartbeat of coastal India.
Fresh prawns get tossed in a fiery blend of onions, garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric and aromatic spices that coat each morsel like a wave crashing with delicious intensity. And, no wonder plates empty faster than they arrive.
- Gramathu Meen Kuzhambu
Gramathu Meen Kuzhambu is a village-style fish curry that you should not miss. Tamarind provides tang, while turmeric, coriander and mustard seeds lend earthy depth. Small fish swim in this robust curry, their delicate texture soaking up every drop of spice.
It is a humble dish that speaks of home kitchens and family tables. A plate of steaming rice and a ladle of this curry can chase away the blues on even the gloomiest day.
- Egg Kothu Parotta
Egg Kothu Parotta is pure theatre. A flaky Parotta gets chopped rhythmically on a hot griddle and mixed with scrambled eggs, onions, tomatoes, chillies and spices. The clang of metal spatulas keeps time like a drumbeat.
Late nights in Tamil Nadu often end with a plate of Kothu Parotta. The sizzling concoction transforms into a savoury, spicy jumble that tastes of midnight hunger pangs and late-night street corners. It fills your belly and your spirit all at once.
- Egg Roast Curry
Sometimes, simplicity triumphs. Egg Roast Curry from Kerala pairs boiled eggs with onions caramelised into a thick, spicy masala. The balance of heat, sweetness and the silkiness of egg yolks creates a wonderful dish.
The aroma of spices signals a hearty meal ahead. Dunking pieces of Appam or Chapati into the rich curry sauce is one of life’s small but profound pleasures. Egg Roast Curry may be humble, but it leaves a mark.
- Non-Vegetarian Thali
A Non-Vegetarian Thali lands on the table like a festival in miniature. Tiny bowls arrive brimming with small bowls of curries, fry-ups, pickles and condiments. Every bite brings new spices, textures and aromas.
Mutton curry sits alongside fish fry, chicken masala shares space with spicy chutneys and the steaming rice awaits the mouth-watering flavours. If you want to sample a kingdom’s worth of flavours, a non-vegetarian thali is your golden ticket.
The Madras Diaries: A Paradise For Meat Lovers
For those seeking the true spirit of Indian cuisine, The Madras Diaries welcomes everyone into a world of delectable flavours and heartfelt hospitality.
At our restaurants in Amsterdam and Utrecht, we pour love and care into every detail, from the warm service to the authentic spices that bring our recipes to life.
It is our mission to bring the essence of our homeland closer to those who miss it and introduce newcomers to the magic that Indian food can offer. When dining with us, guests become part of our story, sharing moments that linger in memory.
So, come visit us and let us share our culinary passion with you!
