Here, tasty curries and smooth gravy dishes are all made with fresh ingredients and a balance of aromatic earthy spices. It is difficult to describe the flavor of Indian food because it varies so much from dish to dish and region to region. In general, Indian food has strong flavors and is often spicy, sweet, smokey, and savory.
While many Indian dishes are considered hot by western standards, there are also plenty of dishes that are mild. If you aren't a spice lover, you can also order the non-spicy versions of typically hot dishes. There is much more to the flavor of Indian food than just the heat!
Flavors of Indian Food
When visiting India, you can expect to be intrigued by the complexity of spices and flavor profiles that exist within one dish. Some dishes may use spicy, tangy, sour, and sweet all together to make a beautiful and complicated final product.
The first important aspect of Indian flavors is the use of fresh ingredients. Most Indian dishes are gravy based and that gravy is typically made from a mixture of fresh vegetables that have been cooked down into a sauce.
Palak paneer is a common spinach gravy dish with a delicious green sauce made of spinach, tomato, and onion. The base of most curry dishes is just tomatoes and onions mixed with a different combination of spices.
To add an extra punch of flavor, many dishes also include ginger, garlic, and coriander (cilantro).
When first tasting Indian cuisine, many find that the flavor and tenderness of the meats are quite impressive. This is because a popular way to prepare meat in India is to marinate it in yogurt and spices overnight then grill it over an open flame. Chicken tikka is made using this method
The most important components of Indian food are the spices.
One Indian dish may use around 20-30 different spices and it's the specific amounts of each spice that change the overall flavor from dish to dish. Every dish should attain a balance in flavor and it is important that the spices do not overpower each other or the other ingredients.
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My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
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Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
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Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
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Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
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Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
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Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
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Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
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What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
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Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
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Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
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Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
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Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
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Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
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Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
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Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
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Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
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We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
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Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
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Essential Indian Spices
Spice is a way of life in India and there are very few dishes served here that don't include at least a few spices or herbs. Even mangos are eaten dipped in red chili and salt and yogurt is often served as raita with a little chili powder, cilantro, and a few veggies.
Below we have some of the most commonly used Indian spices along with their Hindi names and flavor profile. If you take a cooking class while in India, you'll be working with many of these spices during your lesson.
Spice Name | Use | Description |
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Cardamom | This spice has a herbal and citrusy smell and is often used in Indian Chai tea and desserts. | Cardamom is often sold as small green pods and is related to ginger. It is the third most-expensive spice in the world. |
Turmeric | Turmeric is used in almost every Indian dish and not only has a warm and earthy taste but also has medicinal qualities. | Turmeric is made from a root that has been ground into a brilliant orange powder. This spice is also used as a dye. |
Saffron | Saffron has a sweet honey-like smell and is often used in plain milk or Chai tea. | This is the most expensive spice in India is grown in Kashmir. This spice is deep red. |
Cumin | Cumin is a very warm spice that has an earthy, nutty, and spicy flavor. This spice is used ground or as seeds in almost every Indian dish. | Cumin comes either as small brown seeds or ground powder. Westerners will recognize its flavor from use in Mexican food and Middle Eastern food. |
Asafoetida (Hing) | This spice is has a truffle-like and garlicky flavor and pungent smell. Although it doesn't smell the best, a pinch adds depth to many Indian dishes. | Asafoetida is from the parsley family and is made from plant resin. It often comes in a beige powder and acts as an enhancer for other spices. |
Mustard Seeds | Mustard seeds add a spicy and bitter quality to many Indian dishes and are often cooked in hot oil to bring out their flavor. | Mustard seeds look like tiny black or brown balls. This flavorful spice has been used in Indian food for over 5,000 years. |
Coriander | Coriander is often used as a powder and has a light lemony and woody flavor. This spice is used in many Indian dishes. | Coriander is made from the seeds of the cilantro plant which is called coriander in India. |
Red Chili Powder | Red chili powder is just what it sounds, dried red chilis that have been ground into a powder. This is a spice used when you want to add heat. | Different chilies have unique flavors and the red chili powder varies in intensity in every region. The most famous one is the Kashmiri red chili powder. |
Cloves | Cloves have an anise-like flavor with strong medicinal qualities. While this doesn't sound great to some, its just want is needed to accent many dishes. | Cloves look like small black flowers and are actually made by pressing the oil from the flower and drying before cooking. |
Garam Masala | Garam masala is a mixture of many spices that has a warm and hearty flavor. This spice is used in many dishes. | Garam masala means warm spice in Hindi and includes around 10 spices that are all roasted whole then ground. |
Is Indian Food Spicy?
This is the question that most foreigners have when they are trying Indian food for the first time, which is entirely understandable because some Indian food is spicy. There are certain dishes, such as the Vindaloo in Goa, that are famous for their mouth burning flavor. However, many Indian dishes are not spicy at all.
Dishes like dal (lentil stew), palak paneer (spinach gravy with Indian cheese), and korma (made with a cashew base) all have very mild flavors. In addition to this, some Indians also don't prefer hot food and all restaurants will allow you to order mild versions of normally spicy dishes.
Most meals with spicy food come with some kind of cooling agent. This is often in the form of yogurt. Lassi is a delicious yogurt drink that you can have alongside your spicy meal to cool your mouth and stomach. Many Indians also order a dish called raita with their meal which is yogurt mixed with some veggies and cooling cilantro.
Common Ingredients of Indian Cuisine
Most Indian dishes start with a hot pan into which is added cooking oil or butter and then the spices and assortment of vegetables and meat required for a specific dish. Although the ingredients used in Indian food varies from region to region, there are a few common ingredients used across the subcontinent.
Oils
Most dishes start by adding oil to a hot pan. Some Indian families use vegetable oil to cook, but many use ghee which is clarified butter that can withstand higher temperatures than normal butter. Other commonly used oils include mustard oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil.
Vegetables
Vegetables are the base of the majority of Indian dishes and almost every Indian dish starts with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger. Other commonly used vegetables include potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, mustard greens, okra, peas, carrots, green beans, and more.
Many Indian dishes also include fresh cilantro, so if you are one of the people who can't stand the plant then you'll need to ask the restaurant to exclude it. Cilantro in India is commonly called fresh coriander.
Grains
The grains used in Indian food depend largely on the region, but some popular ones include lentils or split peas (which come in the red, black, green, and yellow) varieties and chickpeas.
Many Indian dishes are gravy based and served either with bread or rice. Rice used in India is commonly a long-grained variety called basmati. Bread can be made of many types of flour depending on the region include wheat flour, chickpea flour, and rice flour.
Meat
The meats served in India are largely influenced by religion. Firstly, around 40% of India is Hindu vegetarian meaning that they don't eat any meat and also avoid garlic and eggs. This is great news for vegetarians and vegans because you'll find many options while traveling India.
The most commonly eaten meats in India include chicken, mutton, and fish and most restaurants will not offer other options for meat dishes.
Beef is not served at all in most parts of India due to the religious importance of cows in Hinduism. Some exceptions include Goa where you can find beef in some restaurants. Pork is also not commonly served due to the country's large Muslim population.
India's Regional Differences in Flavor
Different regions in India can be easily identified by the way they cook their food. Each region of the country may use different amounts of spices, different oil, different vegetables and meats, and a different carb.
When you go to an Indian restaurant in the US or Europe, you are most likely to try North Indian food. North Indian food is the most famous globally and consists of tasty gravy dishes like butter chicken and chicken tikka masala served alongside thick breads such as naan.
Flavors of Delhi and North India
North India is different from the rest of India because it has a cooler climate, expansive deserts, and greater influence from Arab and Persian cultures. North Indian food is often called Moghulai food due to the influences of the long-standing Mughal Islamic empire that was based in Delhi.
Here you'll find dishes that are heavy with cream and yogurt and also include saffron and nuts. Gravy dishes are often eaten with thick breads like naan and roti. Lamb and chicken kebabs are also famous in this area and are often cooked in clay ovens.
The further north you go in this area of India, the more influences from central Asia appear. In Kashmir, rice is more commonly consumed than bread.
Flavors of Western India
West India includes places like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharastra, and Goa. In Rajasthan, once the seat of the Moghul empire, the influence of the Mughlai food can be seen especially in cities like Agra and Jaipur.
Rajasthan and Gujarat are the two states that represent dessert food. Here pickled vegetables are commonly eaten with bread to make up for the lack of fresh vegetables. Fried and heavy foods are also common as their caloric density helps in the harsh desert climate.
Maharashtra and Goa are heavily influenced by their proximity to the ocean and serve a wide variety of seafood. Goa was once a Portuguese colony and its food is predominately Indian with Portuguese influences.
Flavors of Eastern India
In eastern India, the two most noticeable styles of food are Bengali and Assamese. These regions are known for their use of mustard seeds, poppy seeds, and mustard oil in their dishes. Mustard oil has a pungent smell, but when cooked provides and slightly sweet and bitter flavor.
In this portion of the country, dishes tend to be lighter and spicier than those in North India. Eastern food also often includes a lot of seafood because the region is near the Bay of Bengal and is also full of rivers. This region also eats more dishes with rice than bread.
Assamese and Bengali food also include more fresh green vegetables as they are grown abundantly in the region.
Flavors of South India
South Indian food is the most different from that of North India and includes spicier dishes that are also lighter and sweeter. This portion of the country uses more coconut and coconut milk in their cooking. Tamil Nadu is famous for using tamarind which adds a refreshing sourness to dishes.
Kerala is a large spice growing region and is well known for its cardamom, red chilies, and black pepper.
Rice is much preferred over bread in South India. Rice is eaten with fish curries and lamb stew. It is also turned into dosas which are crispy pancakes often eaten for breakfast with a light vegetable stew.
Flavorful Cooking Methods
Much of the flavors in Indian food comes from the methods used to create it. Spices are often freshly ground and then toasted in oil or ghee to bring out the full depth of their flavors. Many types of meat are marinated for a day or more in yogurt and spices to make them tender and rich.
Breads and kebabs are cooked in clay ovens called tandoors that use high heat to create a cross between barbecuing and baking. Gravies are cooked down from spiced vegetables for at least 30 minutes to bring out their full flavor profiles and creamy textures.
Explore India with Asia Highlights
India is one of the world's culinary powerhouses. The country's blazing curries, grilled tandoori meat, yogurt-based sauces, crispy poppadum, fragrant rice, and range of breads have become an essential part of diets across the world.
Go with Asia Highlights and get to enjoy India's diverse cuisine
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Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
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