So you decide on Indian food for lunch, and when you open the menu and read it, you realize that there are too many options to select from. You have Butter Chicken, Korma, Rogan Josh, Vindaloo, Kadai Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala and so forth.
But then the question arises of how to decide on the dish.
The answer is very simple indeed: don’t mind about all the beautiful names and think about the type of taste you like. There isn’t any single good curry for everyone. Some people will like a creamy curry, while others will enjoy the chilli-based one.
This is how you choose your curry.
First Ask Yourself: “How Much Spice Can I Handle?”
And this might turn out to be one of the most important questions to ask.
Even though there are quite a number of spices involved in Indian cuisine preparations, being spicy does not imply hotness. With the use of cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric, your food is bound to taste good without scorching your tongue.
If you do not like hot food, you may take one that is not spicy. If you do like mild spice, you may take one that is moderately spicy. If you prefer more chili sauce, you can take hot food.
For a Gentle Start
This may be the key question to ask.
Although there is a wide variety of spices employed in Indian foods, it does not mean that Indian foods are spicy. Foods prepared with spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric can provide you with a good taste of food, but you would never burn your tongue.
As a result, if you do not like burning sensation from the chilies, you may choose foods with lower levels of spiciness. On the other hand, if you like some spiciness in the foods, then probably you will like to eat moderately spicy foods. In case you enjoy eating chili sauce, there are a lot of options for you.
If You Want to Add Some Spices
Maybe, you do not want to have a too mild curry, but on the other hand you do not want to drink water all night long.
In that case, you have to choose for medium spicy food.
Tikka Masala could be a very good option for you. The mix of tomato, spices and something creamy gives this dish the richness of taste, but not a taste of hell.
Another option that you can have is Kadai style curries. The thing is that these dishes may have a roasted-spice taste which you can have in chicken, paneer and even vegetable varieties.
That is where Indian cuisine gets really interesting – because it uses more things to create the taste besides the chilli.
For Serious Spice Lovers
If you think that your curry is incomplete without some spiciness, then you have lots of options to choose from.
Vindaloo is well-known for its fiery chilli nature and sour taste. It certainly does not belong to those dishes that you should order if you prefer something mild.
There are some spicy curries in India which make use of roasted spices and chillies and other aromatic components to create a range of flavors.
However, one thing that must be kept in mind is to always enquire about the amount of spiciness in it.
The same dish will vary in taste according to the restaurant and the chef’s discretion.
Creamy Curry or Rich Curry?
While these two are similar-sounding cuisines, there is actually a world of difference between them.
If you are someone who loves smooth and silky sauces, go for a creamy Indian curry. Butter chicken, korma, and some paneer curries are good examples of such a type of curry.
On the other hand, if you are fond of stronger tasting foods, opt for a meaty Indian curry. Lamb and goat curries tend to have a strong taste due to their meat and the long cooking time.
Just think of whatever suits you best in that particular time frame.
Don’t Forget the Key Ingredient
Gravy is essential, but the ingredient within it is equally important.
Chicken is a safe bet since it goes well with almost any type of curry. You may have it creamy, smoky, hot or tomato-based.
Lamb has a stronger taste and combines perfectly with strongly seasoned gravies.
Paneer suits the best if you prefer to have vegetarian dishes and need something substantial. Since paneer has an extremely mild taste, it acquires the taste of the curry perfectly.
Vegetables may also surprise with their curry. Potatoes, cauliflower, peas, spinach and many other vegetables can be used as well and can change the flavor and texture of the dish totally.
Think About The Region
Maybe, the easiest way to begin experimenting with new Indian curries is to cease viewing Indian food as one entity.
North Indian food includes gravies, dairy products, tandoor cooking and spicy masalas.
The South Indian cuisine includes coconut, curry leaves, tamarind, and spices.
Furthermore, there are foods prepared in regions such as Rajasthan, Bengal, Goa, Kerala, and Chettinad.
Thus, if you are already aware of Indian cuisine but order the same food every time, it may be time for you to try another cuisine from a different region.
Your Side Dish Can Change the Meal
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to consume the curry all by itself.
When you need something soft and chewy, you may serve naan. The garlic naan will give your dish an additional flavor.
If the curry is juicy enough, then you may complement it with rice. When you have a lot of juice in your curry, then you may serve the plain basmati rice to balance out its flavors. However, the jeera rice will give your curry a slight cumin smell.
Another complementary dish would be roti.
In addition to that, you have such side dishes as raita, chutney, salad and pickles..
What if You are Placing Orders for a Group of People?
It’s time for things to become more interesting.
When there are a few people eating at the same time, there is no need for everybody to have the same curry.
Rather, make a bit of a difference.
Pick one creamy and mild curry, a second medium-level curry, and a third one which is a bit more on the spicy side. Accompany these three dishes with some naan and some rice as well.
This will give each person a taste of everything.
A Simple Curry Cheat Sheet
Still can’t decide? Use this as a starting point:
Want mild and creamy?
Go for Korma or Butter Chicken.
Want something rich and tomato-based?
Try Tikka Masala.
Want bold roasted spices?
Kadai-style curry could be worth trying.
Want a deeper meat flavour?
Choose Rogan Josh or another slow-cooked lamb curry.
Want serious heat?
Vindaloo is the obvious place to start.
Want vegetarian?
Try Paneer Butter Masala, Shahi Paneer or a vegetable curry.
Want something different?
Explore a South Indian or regional curry rather than sticking to familiar restaurant favourites.
There Is No Wrong Choice
Choosing the best Indian curry is not about finding the dish that everyone else loves. It is about finding the combination of flavours that makes you want another bite.
Maybe you love creamy sauces. Maybe you enjoy smoky spices. Maybe you want something hot enough to make your eyes water. Or perhaps you prefer a simple vegetable curry with rice.
Indian food has room for all of these preferences.
The next time you are faced with a long Indian menu, don’t worry about choosing the “right” dish. Think about what you are craving, ask the restaurant team for advice if you are unsure, and try something that sounds interesting.
You might discover that the curry you had never heard of becomes the one you order every time.
Conclusion
It would be hard to tell which one is the best Indian curry since the aspects of taste, preference for spices, choice of ingredients, and even side dishes determine its preparation.
It would make sense to start with what one already likes before exploring new tastes.
The excitement in Indian cooking lies in experimenting with flavors constantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: If one does not enjoy eating spicy food, then what are some tasty Indian curries to recommend?
Butter chicken and Korma are some tasty yet mild curries to recommend. They will provide lots of flavor without the use of many chilies that are present in spicy curries.
Question 2: What is the most flavorful Indian curry?
Everything depends on taste. The flavorful curries include Rogan Josh, Kadai, and Chettinad, while other curries can be creamy and flavorful.
Question 3: What shall I order if it is my first Indian curry experience?
Order something mellow such as Butter Chicken, Korma and Tikka Masala. Once you get used to it, feel free to try more.
Question 4: Is Indian curry good for health?
Indian cuisine comprises many dishes which consist of various vegetables, beans, herbs, and spices. However, the approach to cooking is different, so the curry with thick sauce and fried additions may become the main reason of increasing the richness of your dish.
Question 5: Which dishes match Indian curry?
The great choice of dishes for eating with curry are naan, roti, and rice. If your curry is very spicy, you may try raita, chutney, and salad.
Question 6: Is Vindaloo always very spicy?
No, it is not necessarily spicy. It all depends on the recipe and particular restaurant.
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