Exotic Cuisines & Culinary
Nearly 1.4 billion people living in 29 states, speaking over 23 languages , belonging to various castes and cultural backgrounds, India is a multidimensional country. The same goes with the food.
Almost every city in the western world has a range of Indian restaurants, however, the food you encounter when you visit India may well surprise. The menu is long and there is so much more to the Indian cuisine than chicken tikka masala,Rogan josh and naan bread.
The North Indian cuisine is heavily influenced by the Moguls who ruled these parts for centuries. It is from this tradition that we have been gifted the legacy of (mainly) meat dishes with thick, rich gravies, served with bread.In the south of India the ingredients and style of cooking are quite different. The South Indians are known for their liberal use of coconut, rice and spices, owing their rich cuisine to their Dravidian ancestors .
Food In Delhi - India
Delhi, befitting its status as one of India's great cultural melting pots, is home to a vast array of cuisines from around the country, and influences from across the globe. From high-end restaurants in the very best hotels to simple roadside stalls selling just one specialist dish, there's something for every palette in Delhi. In the bazaars of Chandni Chowk and old Delhi generally you can visit spice markets, sample any number of drinks and snacks, or sit down for a meal in a simple restaurant. Your Delhi guide, or better a specialist 'food explorer' will help you sort out the best (and, of course, the safest!) places to eat. We recommend a number of 'food walks' operated by specialists in this field as the best way to really delve into the myriad wonders of Delhi's food scene.
Food In Tamilnadu -India
India's southernmost state has a cuisine based around rice- traditionally wheat was not a part of the diet here. Fermented and steamed rice cakes, idli, are the staple breakfast food and served with an array of chutneys and sauces. Uthappam are fermented rice and dhal pancakes while dosa is perhaps the best known of the unique rice preparations of the deep south- paper-thin and often huge crepe-like rice creations, served with vegetables, chutneys and more. Pepper is often the source of much of the heat of South Indian food, but chilis are used too of course. Tamil Nadu is home to one of the world's great vegetarian cuisines, and while chicken and occasionally mutton (goat) are included, the food here can make the staunchest meat-eater pause to reassess!
An even more specific cuisine developed in the Chettinad region of south-central Tamil Nadu- the food here is an amalgam of styles from beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu, and is often richer and features more meat dishes than elsewhere. You'll find Chettinad (or Chettiar) restaurants in many Indian cities these days, but getting right to the source in the village of the region itself is not to be missed.
Food In Kerala -India
In Kerala where the population is a mixture of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities , beef is a part of the diet, unlike elsewhere in India. Here too the ingredients used take on a slightly different look and taste, with significant use of coconut and banana in savoury dishes. Seafood is a big part of the diet- hardly surprising with a coastline as long as that of Kerala- and there are some wonderful and unique ways of preparing fish which are peculiar to Kerala. A significant proportion of India's spice production comes from the midlands and higher hills of the Western Ghats- pepper and cardamom in particular thrive in these humid, high rainfall areas- and a walk in a spice plantation, before sampling some of the local food, is a great way to learn about things you might use at home without knowing where they originate.
Food In Rajasthan -India
Less is more might be a good motif for the cuisine of Rajasthan: at least traditionally, before modern agricultural practices enabled more plentiful crops, a limited array of staples grew well in the harsh, dry climate of Rajasthan. But simplicity doesn't need to equate with blandness and Rajasthani cuisine makes great use of dhals, flat breads and spices to conjure up some very unusual flavours. A special treat is kulfi, a buttermilk ice-cream, often flavoured with cardamom and pistachio, which is universally popular in Rajasthan during the hotter months. In all the main tourist cities of Rajasthan you'll find cooking classes and demonstrations on offer, and these can be a lot of fun
Food In Mumbai - India
India's largest and most diverse city, Mumbai is home to the best street food anywhere in the country. Roadside vendors and snack sellers are a common sight throughout the city of Mumbai and generally these are safe and healthy places to eat - after all, you can watch the food being prepared right in front of you. Samosas, Vada Paav, Aloo chat and many more delicious, inexpensive snacks are available on road and sampling them alongside the local population will bring you ever closer to life as it is lived in Mumbai.
