Indian food is loved around the world for its rich flavours, aromatic spices and incredible variety. But authentic Indian food is about much more than simply adding chilli to a dish. Different regions of India have their own ingredients, cooking methods, spices and food traditions, which is why an Indian menu can offer such a wide range of flavours.
From slow-cooked curries and fragrant biryanis to smoky tandoori dishes, crispy dosas and popular street-food snacks, there is something for almost every taste.
If you are new to Indian cuisine, choosing what to order can sometimes feel overwhelming. What is the difference between a curry and a tandoori dish? Is Indian food always spicy? Which dishes are good for someone trying Indian food for the first time?
This guide explores some of the most popular traditional Indian dishes and flavours to help you discover what might suit you.
What Makes Authentic Indian Food Different?
One of the things that makes authentic Indian food special is the way spices are used.
Spices are not simply added to make food hot. Ingredients such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, ginger and garlic are carefully combined to create aroma, warmth and depth of flavour.
The same spice can also taste very different depending on how it is prepared. Some spices are toasted before being added to a dish, while others are added during cooking to develop a deeper flavour.
Indian cuisine also changes considerably from one region to another.
North Indian cuisine is well known for rich curries, tandoori dishes, naan and other breads. Dairy products such as yoghurt, butter and cream are also commonly used in many dishes.
South Indian cuisine has a different character, with dishes such as dosa, idli and sambar, along with the use of ingredients such as coconut, curry leaves and tamarind.
This regional diversity is one of the reasons Indian cuisine is so interesting to explore. Two dishes can both be described as “Indian food” while having completely different flavours and textures.
Popular Traditional Indian Dishes
If you’re visiting an Indian restaurant for the first time, there are a few dishes that are particularly good starting points.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is one of the most recognised Indian dishes around the world.
Tender pieces of chicken are cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce with butter, cream and aromatic spices. The result is a smooth, creamy curry with a balance of sweetness, richness and gentle spice.
Because it is generally milder than many other curries, butter chicken is often a comfortable choice for people who are new to Indian food.
It also pairs particularly well with naan or fragrant basmati rice.
Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka offers a completely different experience from a creamy curry.
Pieces of chicken are marinated in yoghurt, herbs and spices before being cooked at high heat. The cooking process gives the outside a slightly charred appearance while keeping the chicken tender inside.
The smoky flavour makes chicken tikka a popular starter, but it can also be enjoyed as part of a larger Indian meal with rice, naan, chutneys or other dishes.
If you enjoy grilled food, chicken tikka is a good introduction to tandoori-style cooking.
Biryani
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish that combines aromatic rice with spices, herbs and meat or vegetables.
There are many different regional styles of biryani across India, and each has its own combination of ingredients and cooking techniques.
A well-prepared biryani is about more than simply mixing rice and curry together. The aroma of the spices, the texture of the rice and the way the ingredients are cooked together all contribute to the final dish.
For anyone who enjoys rice-based meals, biryani is one of the Indian dishes worth trying.
Tandoori Food and the Traditional Tandoor
The tandoor is one of the most recognisable cooking methods associated with Indian cuisine.
A tandoor is traditionally a clay oven that reaches extremely high temperatures. Food cooked inside develops a distinctive smoky aroma and lightly charred exterior.
Tandoori chicken is perhaps the best-known example, but the technique can also be used for chicken tikka, other grilled meats and Indian breads such as naan.
The marinade is an important part of tandoori cooking. Yoghurt, herbs and spices help flavour the food before it goes into the tandoor.
If you enjoy grilled or smoky flavours, tandoori dishes are definitely worth exploring when dining at an Indian restaurant.
Indian Curries: More Than One Type of Flavour
When people hear the word “curry”, they often imagine one particular type of dish. In reality, Indian curries can be completely different from one another.
Some are creamy and mild, while others are spicy, tangy, rich or aromatic. The ingredients used to create the sauce can also change the flavour significantly.
Tomatoes can add acidity and freshness, yoghurt can create a creamy texture, while coconut can give a curry a lighter and slightly sweet character.
Onions, garlic, ginger and different combinations of spices also form the base of many Indian curries.
This variety means that choosing an Indian curry is not simply about deciding how spicy you want your food to be. It is also about choosing the flavour and texture you enjoy.
If you prefer something rich and creamy, a mild curry may be a good choice. If you enjoy stronger and more complex flavours, you may prefer a spicier or more aromatic curry.
Exploring South Indian Food
Indian cuisine extends far beyond the curries and tandoori dishes that many people are familiar with.
South Indian food has its own distinctive flavours and cooking traditions. Dosa is one of the most popular examples.
Dosa is a thin, crispy crepe traditionally made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is usually served with sambar and chutneys, creating a combination of crispy, savoury, spicy and tangy flavours.
Sambar is a lentil-based dish cooked with vegetables and spices, while chutneys can add freshness, sweetness or heat to the meal.
If you normally order curries and naan, trying a South Indian dish such as dosa can be an easy way to experience a completely different side of Indian cuisine.
Indian Street Food and Savoury Snacks
Indian street food is an important part of the country’s food culture and is known for combining bold flavours with different textures.
Chaat is a popular example. Depending on the variety, it can include ingredients such as potatoes, chickpeas, crispy elements, yoghurt, chutneys and aromatic spices.
What makes chaat particularly interesting is the contrast between flavours. Sweet, sour, spicy, tangy and savoury elements can come together in the same dish.
Indian street food also includes a wide range of savoury snacks, from crispy fried bites to filled pastries and other regional favourites.
For adventurous diners, these dishes can be a great way to move beyond the usual curry and explore some of the more casual and varied sides of Indian cuisine.
Is Authentic Indian Food Always Spicy?
No, and this is one of the biggest misconceptions about Indian food.
While chilli is used in many Indian dishes, it is only one part of the overall flavour. Spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom and turmeric contribute aroma and depth without necessarily making a dish hot.
Many popular Indian dishes can be mild, while others can have a much stronger chilli kick.
If you are not comfortable with spicy food, there is no need to avoid Indian cuisine altogether. When ordering, you can ask the restaurant about the spice level and choose dishes that better match your preference.
At the same time, if you enjoy spicy food, Indian cuisine gives you plenty of opportunities to explore stronger flavours.
How to Choose an Indian Dish
Not sure where to start? Think about the type of food you already enjoy.
If you prefer creamy flavours:
A mild, creamy curry such as butter chicken can be a good starting point.
If you enjoy smoky or grilled food:
Try tandoori chicken or chicken tikka.
If rice is your favourite part of a meal:
Biryani is an obvious choice, with fragrant rice and layers of spices.
If you enjoy crispy food:
Dosa or Indian street-food snacks are worth exploring.
If you’re dining with friends or family:
Ordering several curries, tandoori dishes, rice and breads to share allows everyone to try different flavours.
There is no single “right” way to enjoy Indian food. Part of the fun is trying different dishes and discovering what works for you.
Discovering Authentic Indian Food in Perth
For people looking for authentic Indian food in Perth, exploring different styles and dishes can make dining out much more interesting.
Rather than ordering the same familiar curry every time, you can try a tandoori starter one visit, a biryani the next, or explore South Indian dishes and Indian savoury snacks.
At Sea Spice Indian Restaurant in Mindarie, diners can explore a range of Indian flavours, from traditional curries and biryani to tandoori favourites and other dishes inspired by Indian cuisine.
For those dining in the Mindarie area, the restaurant provides an opportunity to enjoy Indian food while exploring different dishes and flavours in a relaxed dining environment.
Whether you already know your favourite Indian dish or are trying Indian cuisine for the first time, there is always something new to discover.
Experience the Flavours of Indian Cuisine
Authentic Indian food is about much more than heat. It is the combination of spices, ingredients, cooking techniques and regional traditions that gives each dish its own character.
From creamy curries and smoky tandoori dishes to fragrant biryani, crispy dosa and colourful street food, Indian cuisine offers an enormous variety of flavours and textures.
The best way to discover your favourites is to try something different from time to time. You might start with a familiar curry and eventually discover a new favourite in a dish you had never considered before.
If you are exploring Indian food in Perth, take the opportunity to go beyond the usual choices and experience the variety that makes Indian cuisine so popular around the world.