Food lovers possess a profound understanding of flavors, and so Indian cuisine seems enticing to many. It is an excellent idea to experiment a little with your taste buds and give them what you have never tried before. If you're looking to broaden your culinary horizons, an Indian restaurant is a perfect place to start. Because Indian cuisine is diverse, and authentic Indian menu can be intimidating for first-timers. While Indian cuisine is known for its range of color, texture, and flavor, there are a few things that a typical Indian dining experience can guarantee.
The flavorful herbs and spices in traditional Indian cuisine are well-known. It's a popular misconception that all Indian food is spicy, but this isn't true. The cooking style varies by location and is primarily split into South Indian and North Indian cuisines.
Here are the tips that you can consider while going to experience authentic Indian food for the first time ever.
Must Order the Appetizers.
Indian cuisine's appetizers are far more diverse than you might think. Appetizers are an amazing way to help break in your taste buds as a first-timer while dining at an Indian restaurant. The appetizer options are a perfect introduction way to get a taste of Indian cuisine's signature flavors.
You will have a wide variety of options for Indian appetizers. Several street food items are pakoras, chaat, samosa, Pani puri, and many more. The tangy and delicious taste of these items attracts more people to Indian restaurants. All hot appetizers are offered with different tasty dips. You can try Gobi Manchurian, which is packed with flavor. Besides, chaat platter, vegetable samosa, mixed pakora, and chicken drumsticks are must-try options.
Skip Buffet
For first-timers, buffets can be confusing. Buffets are available at many Indian restaurants, and some only offer buffets. Buffet-style dining may fill your plate quickly, but it can be difficult to know where to begin, especially if you are unfamiliar with the cuisine. Order individual hand-made dishes for the greatest authentic Indian culinary experience.
Know about Common Ingredients Used in Indian Recipes.
You'll notice several frequent ingredients in Indian cuisine, so learn about them, so you know what to order while you're there.
Bhindi - Okara, Aloo - Potato, Channa - Chickpeas, Mutter - Green Peas, Palak - Spinach, Gajar - Carrot, Gobi - Cauliflower, Paneer - Cottage cheese, Murgh - Chicken, Jeera - Cumin
When Comes to Non-Veg Dishes, Don't Limit Yourself to Chicken
It's no surprise that chicken dishes in Indian restaurants make people drool. Indian cuisine isn't simply about chicken meals with a variety of flavors. It's easy to err on the side of caution and order chicken, but you'll be missing out on lamb, goat, shellfish, and other delicacies.
Know Your Spice Tolerance
Before ordering traditional Indian food, measure your spice tolerance since many Indian dishes are spicy. However, it doesn't mean that you have to tolerate the spice content. You can request that your restaurant's waitress maintain your desired amount of spiciness in the dishes. As a result, you don't have to put up with meals that you don't like.
What To Expect:
Vegetarian-Friendly Options
You'll discover a variety of plant-based options and alternatives on Indian menus. In India, plant-based eating is common, with 38 percent of the population following a vegetarian diet due to religious convictions. This has naturally affected Indian food around the world, making it a popular choice among health-conscious and plant-based consumers.
Ambiance and Authenticity
In a restaurant setting, traditional Indian cuisine is served in an authentic Indian atmosphere. Expect mesmerizing aromas in beautiful decor with rich tapestries, dramatic furnishings and sculptures, and traditional music that is rhythmic, harmonious, and melodious.
A tandoor (clay oven) seals in intricate levels of flavors and spices in a traditional Indian restaurant, giving it that authentic flavor. It's simple to tell which restaurants process their food because all of the curries taste the same.
Fusion Food
The menu at several Indian restaurants and fine dining places is continuously changing, allowing chefs to come up with new and exciting additions. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavor combinations and textures available in Indian cuisine. So, the next time you go to your favorite restaurant, you might be pleasantly surprised with a new flavor combination or specialty cuisine.
If you're searching for an authentic Indian fine dining experience, Tabla's menu features over 100 unique dishes. We are a traditional Indian restaurant focused on ambiance and authenticity, customer service, and world-class cuisine, with alternatives to suit every taste and occasion.