India is a land of diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines. Each region boasts its own unique flavors and cooking techniques, making Indian food one of the most varied and rich culinary traditions in the world. In this article, we will explore Indian food names from A to Z, showcasing some of the most popular dishes and ingredients that define this vibrant cuisine. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or a curious beginner, this guide will help you navigate the delicious world of Indian food.
So I was thinking that there should be a complete list of Indian dishes and the best source for their recipes. Here I am providing you with a list of Indian dishes, Indian food names A to Z. And also link to their recipes. I also posted a list of famous foods in India in my previous blog post.
I will divide these dishes according to different regions of India.
Some cuisines are common in different states of India. So I might skip some dishes if it’s already covered in another region.
Food Names In India(North):
Vegetarian North Indian Food Names A to Z :
A
- Aloo Gobi: Aloo Gobi is a classic vegetarian dish made with potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi) cooked with spices such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Recipe Link: Aloo Gobi Recipe
- Aloo Tikki
- Aloo Matar
- Aloo Methi
- Aloo Shimla Mirch– By Nisha Madhulika( I personaly love this one)
- Amriti With Rabdi– By Dassana from Veg Recipes Of India
- Amritsari Kulcha– By Dhwani Mehta from Cooking Carnival
B
- Baati– Times Of India
- Bhatura– By Manali from Cook With Manali
- Bhindi Masala– By Swasthi
C
- Chaat– The Spruce Eats
- Chana Masala– By Kate from Cookie and Kate
- Chapati– All Recipes
- Chole Bhature– Chole Bhature is a popular North Indian dish consisting of spicy chickpeas (chole) served with deep-fried bread (bhature). It is often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or lunch. Recipe Link: Chole Bhature Recipe
D
- Daal Baati Churma– Pakwan Gali
- Dal Puri– By the legend Sanjeev Kapoor
- Dal Makhani (Kali Dal)– Indian Healthy Recipes
- Dal Fara– Cookpad
- Dal– Times Of India
- Dal Fry With Tadka– By Neha from Whisk Affair (you should try this one)
- Dum Aloo– Hebbar’s Kitchen
P
- Poha– Food Viva
F
- Fara– Archana’s Kitchen
- French Bean Aloo– Vege Cravings
G
- Gajar Ka Halwa– NDTV Food
- Gajar Matar aloo– My Indian Taste
- Gobhi Matar– By Chef Harpal(Video)
H
- Hari Matar Ka Nimona (green peas daal)
I
- Imarti
J
- Jalebi
- Jaleba
K
- Kachori
- Kadai Paneer– By Manali from Cook With Manali
- Kadhi Pakora– By Kanan from Spice Up The Curry
- Khatta Meetha Petha / Halwakadoo– From Archana’s Kitchen
- Kheer– By Khusboo from Crave Your Cravings– Recommended
- Khichdi– By Richa from My Food Story
- Kofta
- Kulfi Falooda– By Tarla Dalal
L
- Lauki Ke Kofte– From Bharatz Kitchen
- Lauki Ki Sabji
- Litti Chokha
M
- Makki Di Roti, Sarson Da Saag
- Mathura Ke Pede
- Methi Saag, Chaulai Saag
- Missi Roti
- Mixed Vegetable
- Moong Dal Ka Halwa
- Mushroom Do Pyaza
- Mushroom Matar
N
- Naan Roti
P
- Pakhala
- Palak Paneer
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Pani Puri
- Panjeeri
- Papad
- Paratha
- Pattor
- Phirni
- Pindi Chana
- Pinni
R
- Rajma Chaval
- Rajma
- Ramatori Subji
- Rongi
S
- Samosa
- Sattu Ki Roti
- Shahi Paneer
- Shahi Tukra
- Singhada Halwa
- Sooji Halwa
- Sweet Pethas / Kesar Petha / Pista petha
V
- Vegetable Jalfrezi
Non-Vegetarian North Indian food Names A to Z:
A
- Amritsari fish
B
- Biryani: It is a fragrant rice dish made with basmati rice, marinated meat (such as chicken, mutton, or fish), and a blend of spices. It is often garnished with fried onions and served with raita (yogurt sauce). Recipe Link: Chicken Biryani Recipe
- Butter chicken
C
- Chicken razala
- Chicken Tikka
- Chicken Tikka masala
M
- Murgh musallam
N
- Navrattan korma
T
- Tandoori Chicken
- Tandoori Fish Tikka
After reading this post on Indian food names from A to Z, you can also read about Interesting Facts About Food Chemistry
Food Names In India (South):
Vegetarian South Indian food Names :
A
- Appam
- Avial
B
- Bajji
- Bisi bele bath
- Bonda
D
- Dosa is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is typically served with sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew) and coconut chutney. Recipe Link: Dosa Recipe
E
- Ennai kathirikkai
G
- Goli bajje
I
- Idiappam
- Idli
K
- Kaara kozhambu
- Kanji
- Keerai kootu
- Keerai masiyal
- Keerai poriyal
- Keerai sadam
- Koottu
- Kori rotti
- Koshambri
- Kos kootu
- Kothamali sadam
- Kuzhakkattai
- Kuzhambu
M
- Masala Dosa
O
- Olan (dish)
P
- Papadum
- Pachadi
- Parotta
- Paruppu sadam
- Payasam
- Pongal
- Poriyal
- Puli sadam
- Puttu
R
- Rasam (dish)
- Ragi mudhe
S
- Sambar
- Sandige
- Sevai
- Sevai lunch
T
- Theeyal
- Thayir sadam, mosaranna
- Thengai sadam
U
- Uttapam
V
- Vada
W
- Wheat upma
O
- Obbattu (holige, bobbattu, pooran-poli)
P
- Pesarattu
- Paniyaram
V
- Varuval
Y
- Yelumincham sadam, chitranna
Non-Vegetarian South Indian food Names :
B
- Biryani
C
- Chicken 65
- Chettinadu Chicken
N
- Nandu omelette
Sweets:
D
- Double ka meetha
S
- Sakkara pongal
- Sajjige
Indian food Names (North-East):
Vegetarian North-East Indian food Names :
C
- Chahou kheer
G
- Gyathuk (Sikkim)
K
- Khar (Assam)
P
- Pitha (Assam)
S
- Sanpiau (Mizoram)
Z
- Zan (Arunachal Pradesh)
Non-Vegetarian North India Indian food Names :
B
- Bamboo Steamed Fish (Nagaland): Tender fish steamed in bamboo tubes with aromatic spices. Recipe
C
- Chikhvi (Tripura): Spicy dried fish chutney made with chili peppers and mustard oil. Recipe
F
- Fish Tenga (Assam): Tangy fish curry flavored with tomatoes, green chilies, and spices. Recipe
I
- Iromba (Manipur): Fermented fish and vegetable relish with a unique umami flavor. Recipe
J
- Jadoh (Meghalaya): Spicy rice dish made with pork, onions, and aromatic spices. Recipe
K
- Kumurat diya Hanhor Mangxo (Assam): Pork curry cooked with bamboo shoots and spices. Recipe
N
- Nga Atoiba Thongba (Manipur): Fermented fish and vegetable stew with a tangy flavor. Recipe
P
- Pork bharta: Spicy minced pork dish flavored with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. Recipe
S
- Smoked Pork (Nagaland): Tender smoked pork with a delightful smoky aroma and flavor. Recipe
T
- Tungtap (Meghalaya): Fermented soybean chutney with a pungent aroma and umami taste. Recipe
V
- Vawksa Rep (Mizoram): Spicy pork curry cooked with bamboo shoots and aromatic herbs. Recipe
West India Food Names:
Vegetarian West Indian food Names A to Z:
A
- Amti: Spicy lentil curry from Maharashtra. Recipe
B
- Bajri no rotlo: Thick millet flatbread from Gujarat. Recipe
- Bhakri: Traditional unleavened flatbread from Maharashtra. Recipe
C
- Chaat: Savory and tangy street food snacks. Recipe
- Chakri (chakali): Savory spiral-shaped snack from Maharashtra. Recipe
- Chevdo: Spicy and crunchy snack mix from Gujarat. Recipe
- Cholafali: Chickpea flour fritters from Gujarat. Recipe
- Chorafali: Savory spiral-shaped snack from Gujarat. Recipe
- Copra paak: Sweet coconut fudge from Gujarat. Recipe
D
- Daal Dhokli: Wheat flour dumplings in spiced lentil soup. Recipe
- Dabeli: Spiced potato patty in a sweet bun from Gujarat. Recipe
- Dahi vada: Lentil dumplings in yogurt from Maharashtra. Recipe
- Dalithoy: Spicy lentil curry from Goa. Recipe
- Dhokla: Savory steamed cakes from Gujarat. Recipe
- Dum aaloo: Potato curry from Kashmir. Recipe
F
- Farsi Puri: Savory deep-fried puffed bread from Gujarat. Recipe
G
- Gatta curry: Chickpea flour dumplings in yogurt curry from Rajasthan. Recipe
J
- Jeera Aloo: Cumin-flavored potato curry. Recipe
- Juvar no rotlo: Sorghum flatbread from Gujarat. Recipe
K
- Khakhra: Crispy flatbread snack from Gujarat. Recipe
- Khaman: Steamed chickpea flour cakes from Gujarat. Recipe
- Khandvi: Rolled chickpea flour snack from Gujarat. Recipe
- Khichu: Savory rice flour snack from Gujarat. Recipe Koshimbir: Onion and tomato salad from Maharashtra. Recipe
L
- Locha: Savory pancake from Gujarat. Recipe
- Lilva Kachori: Savory pastries filled with green chickpeas from Gujarat. Recipe
M
- Mag Dhokli: Wheat flour dumplings in lentil curry from Gujarat. Recipe
- Methi na Gota: Fenugreek leaves fritters from Gujarat. Recipe
- Mohan thaal: Sweet chickpea flour fudge from Gujarat. Recipe
- Muthiya: Steamed and fried chickpea flour dumplings from Gujarat. Recipe
O
- Oondees: Savory chickpea flour snack from Gujarat. Recipe
P
- Panipuri: Crispy shells filled with spiced water and chickpeas. Recipe
- Patra: Steamed and fried chickpea flour rolls from Gujarat. Recipe
- Pav Bhaji: Spiced vegetable curry served with buttered buns. Recipe
- Pohe: Flattened rice flakes with spices and peanuts. Recipe
- Puri: Fried whole wheat bread. Recipe
- Puri Bhaji: Fried bread served with spiced potato curry. Recipe
R
- Rasya muthia: Steamed chickpea flour dumplings in spiced yogurt curry from Gujarat. Recipe
S
- Sabudana Khichadi: Tapioca pearls cooked with peanuts, spices, and herbs. Recipe
- Sev khamani: Savory chickpea flour noodles from Gujarat. Recipe
N
- Namakpara: Savory fried dough snack from Gujarat. Recipe
S
- Surnoli: Savory chickpea flour fritters from Gujarat. Recipe
T
- Thalipeeth: Savory multi-grain flatbread from Maharashtra. Recipe
- Thepla: Fenugreek leaves flatbread from Gujarat. Recipe
- Turiya Patra Vatana sabji: Bottle gourd, colocasia, and peas curry from Gujarat. Recipe
U
- Undhiyu: Mixed vegetable curry from Gujarat. Recipe
- Upmaa: Savory semolina porridge from South India. Recipe
V
- Vada pav: Spiced potato patty in a bun, Mumbai’s favorite street food. Recipe
- Veg Kolhapuri: Spicy mixed vegetable curry from Maharashtra. Recipe
U
- Undhiyu: Mixed vegetable curry from Gujarat. Recipe
I hope you are liking this post on Indian food names from A to Z. Read this If you want to know about Best Indian Foods to Try in 2024
Non-Vegetarian West :
- Bombil fry
- Kombdi vade
- Vindaloo
- Maghaz
Sweets:
B
- Barfi: A popular Indian sweet made from condensed milk and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Basundi: A rich, creamy dessert made by simmering milk until thickened, flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
C
- Churma Ladoo: Sweet balls made from crushed wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery, often flavored with cardamom and nuts. Recipe
D
- Doodhpak: A creamy rice pudding made with milk, rice, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and nuts. Recipe
- Dudhi no Halwo: A sweet dish made from grated bottle gourd, cooked with milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom. Recipe
G
- Gajar Halwa: A rich dessert made from grated carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee, often garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Ghari (Sweet from Surat): A sweet made from flour, ghee, and sugar, filled with a mixture of nuts and khoya, popular in Surat. Recipe
- Ghooghra: A sweet pastry filled with a mixture of nuts, khoya, and sugar, often deep-fried and served during festivals. Recipe
- Gud Papdi (Gol Papdi): A sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, often enjoyed during winter months. Recipe
- Gulab Jamun: Soft, round sweets made from milk solids, deep-fried, and soaked in sugar syrup flavored with rose water. Recipe
- Gur: Unrefined cane sugar, often used in Indian sweets and dishes for its rich flavor. Recipe
- Ghebar or Ghevar: A traditional Rajasthani sweet made from flour, ghee, and sugar syrup, known for its unique honeycomb texture. Recipe
H
- Halvasan: A sweet made from wheat flour, ghee, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Handwo (Steamed Dish): A savory cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, mixed with spices and vegetables, and steamed. Recipe
J
- Jalebi: A sweet made from deep-fried batter soaked in sugar syrup, known for its spiral shape and bright color. Recipe
K
- Kansar: A sweet dish made from semolina, sugar, and ghee, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Keri no Ras: A sweet mango pulp dish made from ripe mangoes, sugar, and cardamom, often enjoyed during summer. Recipe
L
- Laapsi: A sweet dish made from broken wheat, cooked with ghee, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and nuts. Recipe
- Laddu: Round sweets made from various ingredients like chickpea flour, wheat flour, or semolina, mixed with ghee and sugar. Recipe
M
- Malpua: A sweet pancake made from flour and coconut, soaked in sugar syrup, often served during festivals. Recipe
- Modak: Sweet dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, traditionally made during Ganesh Chaturthi. Recipe
- Mohanthal: A sweet made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
P
- Penda: A sweet made from khoya, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, often shaped into small balls. Recipe
- Pooran-poli: A sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of lentils, jaggery, and cardamom, often served during festivals. Recipe
S
- Shakarpara: A sweet snack made from flour and sugar, deep-fried until crispy, often enjoyed during festivals. Recipe
- Shankarpali: A crispy, sweet snack made from flour and sugar, often served during festivals. Recipe
- Shiro: A sweet dish made from chickpea flour, sugar, and ghee, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Shrikhand: A creamy dessert made from hung curd, flavored with sugar and cardamom, often served with puris. Recipe
- Sohan Papdi: A flaky, sweet confection made from gram flour, sugar, and ghee, often garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Soonvali: A sweet made from wheat flour, sugar, and ghee, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Sukhdi: A sweet dish made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, often enjoyed during winter. Recipe
- Sutarfeni: A sweet made from fine strands of dough, often flavored with sugar and cardamom, and garnished with nuts. Recipe
Food Names In India (East India):
Vegetarian East Indian Food Names A to Z:
A
- Alu Pitika: A traditional Assamese mashed potato dish, flavored with mustard oil, green chilies, and onions, often served as a side. Recipe
B
- Bengena Pitika: A smoky mashed eggplant dish from Assam, prepared with mustard oil, green chilies, and onions, perfect as a side dish. Recipe
- Bhaji: A general term for various types of vegetable fritters or stir-fried vegetables in Indian cuisine, often enjoyed as snacks. Recipe
- Black Rice: A nutritious variety of rice known for its deep color and health benefits, often used in salads and desserts. Recipe
- Brown Rice: A whole grain rice that retains its bran and germ, providing more fiber and nutrients than white rice. Recipe
C
- Cheera Doi: A traditional Assamese yogurt dish made with leafy greens, providing a nutritious and tangy flavor. Recipe
D
- Dal: A staple in Indian cuisine, dal refers to lentils cooked with spices, often served with rice or bread. Recipe
H
- Hando Guri: A traditional Assamese dish made from roasted rice flour, often mixed with jaggery and served as a snack. Recipe
- Hurum: A popular Assamese dish made from fermented bamboo shoots, often used in curries or as a side. Recipe
K
- Khar: A unique Assamese dish made with raw papaya, pulses, and alkaline water from the ashes of the plant, known for its distinctive flavor. Recipe
- Kharoli: A traditional Assamese dish made with a mix of vegetables and khar (alkaline water), often served with rice. Recipe
- Khorisa: A dish made with fermented bamboo shoots, often used in Assamese cooking for its unique flavor. Recipe
- Kumol Sawul: A traditional Assamese dish made from fermented rice, often served with various side dishes. Recipe
L
- Litti: A popular dish from Bihar, consisting of whole wheat balls stuffed with spiced gram flour and baked, typically served with chokha. Recipe
- Luchi: A deep-fried flatbread made from refined flour, commonly served with curries in Bengali cuisine. Recipe
M
- Mishti Chholar Dal: A sweet lentil dish from Bengal made with chana dal, coconut, and jaggery, often enjoyed during festivals. Recipe
P
- Pani Tenga: A tangy fish curry from Assam made with souring agents like tomatoes or elephant apple, known for its refreshing taste. Recipe
- Pakhala: A traditional fermented rice dish from Odisha, served with various sides, especially during summer for its cooling properties. Recipe
R
- Red Rice: A variety of rice known for its reddish-brown color and nutty flavor, often used in healthy dishes and salads. Recipe
- Rice: A staple food in many Indian households, often served with curries, dals, and various side dishes. Recipe
S
- Sabzi (Curry): A general term for vegetable curries in Indian cuisine, prepared with various spices and often served with rice or bread. Recipe
- Shukto: A traditional Bengali bitter vegetable stew made with a mix of seasonal vegetables and spices, often served as a starter. Recipe
T
- Tenga Doi: A tangy yogurt dish from Assam, often flavored with herbs and served as a refreshing side. Recipe
Non-Vegetarian East Indian Dishes :
B
- Bilahi Maas: A traditional Assamese fish curry made with catfish, flavored with local spices and herbs. Recipe
C
- Chingri Malai Curry: A creamy and flavorful prawn curry cooked with coconut milk and spices, popular in Bengali cuisine. Recipe
H
- Haq Maas: A traditional Kashmiri lamb curry, known for its rich flavors and aromatic spices, often served with rice. Recipe
- Horioh Maas: A unique Assamese fish curry made with fresh herbs and spices, known for its light and aromatic flavor. Recipe
I
- Ilish or Chingri Bhape: Steamed hilsa fish or prawns cooked with mustard paste and spices, a delicacy from Bengal. Recipe
K
- Kabiraji: A popular Bengali dish, Kabiraji is a crispy fish or meat cutlet coated in an egg batter and deep-fried. Recipe
- Koldil Chicken: A traditional dish from Assam, featuring chicken cooked with koldil (banana flower) and spices. Recipe
- Koldil Duck: A specialty Assamese dish made with duck and koldil (banana flower), cooked with aromatic spices. Recipe
- Konir Dom: A traditional Assamese dish made with duck eggs cooked in a spicy gravy, often served with rice. Recipe
L
- Lai Haq Maas: A unique Assamese dish made with fish and Lai Haak (a type of leafy green), cooked with spices. Recipe
M
- Maasor Tenga: A tangy fish curry from Assam made with souring agents like tomatoes or elephant apple. Recipe
- Machher Jhol: A traditional Bengali fish curry made with seasonal vegetables and spices, typically served with rice. Recipe
- Masor Koni: A traditional Assamese fish curry made with seasonal vegetables and spices, known for its light flavor. Recipe
- Masor Petu: A unique Assamese dish made with fish and green papaya, cooked in a spicy gravy. Recipe
- Masor Tenga: A sour fish curry from Assam made with tomatoes or other souring agents, known for its refreshing taste. Recipe
- Momo: Tibetan-style dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, popular in northeastern India and served with spicy sauce. Recipe
O
- Ou Tenga Maas: A traditional Assamese fish curry made with ou tenga (elephant apple), known for its tangy flavor. Recipe
P
- Prawn Malai Curry: A rich and creamy curry made with prawns and coconut milk, flavored with spices, popular in Bengali cuisine. Recipe
Sweets:
C
- Chhenagaja: A traditional sweet made from chhena (cottage cheese) and flavored with cardamom, often enjoyed during festivals. Recipe
- Chhenapoda: A famous Odisha dessert made from chhena, sugar, and spices, baked to perfection for a caramelized crust. Recipe
D
- Dhup Pitha: A steamed rice cake from Odisha, typically filled with a mixture of coconut and jaggery. Recipe
G
- Gheela Pitha: A traditional Odisha snack made from rice flour and filled with a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery, then steamed. Recipe
- Goja: A sweet, deep-fried pastry from Odisha, often enjoyed during festivals and special occasions. Recipe
L
- Loskora (Coconut Laddu): Sweet coconut balls made from grated coconut, jaggery, and flavored with cardamom, popular during festivals. Recipe
M
- Malpua/Malpoa: A sweet pancake made from flour and coconut, soaked in sugar syrup, and often served during festivals. Recipe
- Mishti Doi: A traditional Bengali dessert made from sweetened yogurt, flavored with cardamom and often set in clay pots. Recipe
- Muri Naaru: A sweet made from puffed rice, jaggery, and coconut, commonly enjoyed as a snack in Odisha. Recipe
P
- Pani Pitha: A rice flour dumpling filled with a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery, steamed and enjoyed during festivals. Recipe
- Pantua: A Bengali sweet made from chhena, deep-fried, and soaked in sugar syrup, similar to gulab jamun. Recipe
- Payokh: A traditional Bengali rice pudding made with rice, milk, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Recipe
- Peda: A soft Indian sweet made from condensed milk and flavored with cardamom, often shaped into small discs. Recipe
R
- Rosgulla: A famous Bengali sweet made from chhena balls soaked in sugar syrup, known for its spongy texture. Recipe
S
- Shondesh: A traditional Bengali sweet made from fresh chhena, often flavored with cardamom and shaped into various forms. Recipe
- Sunga Pitha: A traditional rice cake from Odisha, prepared in bamboo tubes and filled with a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery. Recipe
T
- Til Pitha: A sweet rice cake filled with a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery, popular during Makar Sankranti. Recipe
Conclusion
Exploring Indian food names from A to Z reveals the incredible diversity and richness of this culinary tradition. Each dish tells a story of culture, history, and regional influences, making Indian cuisine a fascinating subject to explore. Whether you’re looking to try your hand at cooking these dishes or simply want to learn more about them, this guide serves as a valuable resource. For authentic recipes and detailed cooking instructions, visit Indian Healthy Recipes or Veg Recipes of India, two authoritative sites dedicated to Indian cuisine. Enjoy your culinary journey through the flavors of India!