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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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
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We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
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Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
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This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
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Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 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 |
---|---|---|
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
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
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