India, the country of diverse population and cultural ethnicity is best known for many of its attributions. But once upon a time it was known for the spices it delivered, and it still seems to keep up with the name! North India is one such region where foods ranging from roadside snacks to main course dishes, is something a person cannot resist to. So here are the top 20 dishes that one must try if at all visited to any part of North India.
1. Aloo Gobi
This is the most cooked dish during any weekday in any typical North Indian household. This cuisine that tastes best with roti or rice whichever may be preferred is a main course that includes cauliflower, potatoes, garam masala, turmeric powder, and other spices as per taste!
It is mostly served dry or is even enjoyed as a curry dish.
2. Bhindi Masala
This vegetarian dish that is preferred by many North Indians, also serves as a staple dish for many families. The various spices that add up to the dish make it even more tempting. It is enjoyed best with roti or paratha. It can be served as small chopped okra or thin long strips with stuffed masala.
3. Aalo Paratha
This is one of the most common main dish that can be served at any time of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, evening snack or even dinner! It is a dish with an universal appeal. This is enjoyed by all the generations throughout the family, although rich but the alluring taste as it is tossed by butter and is something that can’t be said no to! It is said to be originated from Punjab, as it happens to be a staple food for our fellow Punjabis, and is enjoyed best with yoghurt followed by a glass of Lassi for them! Aalo paratha can be enjoyed with any kind of pickle, chutney or yoghurt or even ketchup!
4. Rajma Masala Curry
This is considered as one of the most popular North Indian curry dish. Rajma (Red kidney beans) is usually made in the form of thick curry with rich and delicious blended spices. This is relished most with jeera rice, parathas or even plain rice. This vegetarian dish is also supposed to be originated from Punjab. It is topped with coriander leaves and chopped onions.
5. Malai Kofta
This is one such classic curry recipe that you not only salivate when heard upon but the feeling of craving more and more still lingers! However originated from the Mughlai cuisine, Malai refers to the cream that is added to the dish and Kofta are small balls that are made out of paneer and are let out in the rich and thick curry or gravy made out of tomatoes and cashew nuts and other such ingredients. It is enjoyed with both parathas and any kind of rice!
6. Kachori
This spicy side snack that is enjoyed by most states of North India such as Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, etc. It is a puri that is stuffed with moong dal mixture which in turn has many different flavors of spices. It tastes best when served hot! It is also commonly known as Khasta!
7. Dum Aaloo
This mouthwatering cuisine is originated from the state of Kashmir. This is one of the most coveted potato recipe of Indian cooking. Indians typically fall in love with this particular dish because of the texture and the flavor of the gravy in which small pieces of potatoes have a creamy touch to it. Some of them prefer to use sweet potatoes whereas others go for the normal ones.
8. Dal Baati
Dal Baati is a North Indian dish and is famous for the complex recipe! It is originated in Rajasthan, and thus is a famous Rajasthani dish that is served in all North Indian states. The dal comprises of 5 kinds of dal (lentils) such as tuvaar dal, Chana dal, Mung dal, Moth dal, Urad Dal. Whereas the Baati are small balls of wheat flour and is prepared in an electronic oven. It is a very rich dish and must be tried if not already!
9. Dhoklas
Khaman Dhokla is a vegetarian steamed food item that is popular in the state of Gujarat as it is originated from there. The Gujratis prefer it as a side dish or even consider it as a breakfast item. It is prepared with rice and split chickpeas. It can be served hot, cold or even in normal food temperature. Best served with green chutney!
10. Samosa
This is one of notable and consumed snack among the Indians! A regular evening or a tea party is definitely incomplete if a plate of samosas is not served to the guests. However this triangular shaped crispy and spicy Indian snack is best enjoyed with sweet red chutney whereas the other half prefer it with ketchup or even green chutney.
11. Pakoras
What is a perfect way to spend a rainy or a wintery day inside house? Get a plate of Pakoras and you are ready to go. This dish that never gets out of style is renowned among the North Indian household as there is no particular time to prepare this snack. It is the easiest recipe in the list of snacks! However rich in its attire, it is best served with tomato sauce or any kind of preferred chutney!
12. Pani Puri
You haven’t enjoyed your trip to India, if you didn’t eat pani puri. This roadside snack is available in almost all the corners of the length and breadth of India. Originated in the northern region of India, it consists of a puri that is filled with pani that is prepared using several spices and a filing that can be made of chickpeas or potatoes and onions. In East India it is renowned as Phuchhka while in North India, it is known as Golgappa!
13. Dal Makhani
This main course dish is a famous dish when comes to traditional north Indian curry. Originated in Punjab, Dal Makhani is served best with any form of rice such as fried rice, jeera rice, etc. and tastes best with Naan as well. This rich cuisine comprises of rajma and urad dal with other spices and is topped with some cream as it adds to the richness of the dish!
14. Aaloo Tikki Chaat
This north Indian roadside snack is best known for the delicious taste! This small cutlet like tikki is made out of potato and other curry spices and is served with various toppings such as coriander leaves, onions, yoghurt and red chutney!
15. Chicken Tikka Masala
This irresistible dish that is served in almost all over India, is one of the best Chicken dishes! Originated in Punjab, this rich cuisine roasted chunks of chicken tikka in a gravy that is of orange color which is blended with variety of spices giving a spicy taste and is best served with Naan!
16. Pav Bhaji
This roadside fast food that originated in Maharashtra is considered as one of the top and enjoyed snack because of the ironic combination of bread and a vegetable curry. The vegetable curry is made from various vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, etc whereas the bread commonly known as Pav tossed with butter is served alongside with it.
17. Chole Bhature
This one of the most popular Punjabi recipe is famous because of the combination of the bhatura, the over fluffed bread and the spicy chole that is served in various forms, such as dry and with curry. It is best enjoyed with onions and a lemon as per taste.
18. Kadai Paneer
This mouth-watering dish of paneer is loved by almost all the Indians because of the spiciness that all the ingredients that add up to this cuisine. It is served in a kadai as the taste tastes better when served in kadai as the name suggests itself. Originated in the Northern region, this dish is enjoyed with both naan and rice.
19. Biryani
Biryani, the king of all. The lover of biryani will automatically sense that Biryani is being cooked, by the versatile aroma of this dish. It is served in all parts of India however originated in the Muslim parts of India has various modifications as per the differences in states. It is served mostly as chicken biryani or mutton biryani! However beautiful in its looks, the aroma plays the key role in this dish.
20. Tandoori Chicken
The top most enjoyed North Indian dish, is obviously has to be a chicken dish! This Mughlai cuisine happens to be originated in Punjab and is served as an appetizer or even a starter in some restaurants but in majority it is the same old main course as the lingering taste is something hard to say goodbye to. Rich in its attire, and delicious in its taste, this is one of the famous north Indian dish and should not be missed out on!
