Best Foods and Dishes to Try in each State of India

Let me get a few things straight with you before I dive into listing all the mouthwatering dishes. I have not yet been to all the states in India myself. But thanks to my father’s occupation and mine, I have had a taste of most of them. 

Be it my mother preparing it at home from memory while she was there or my friends introducing new foods to me. I have been lucky enough to have had such a vast food tasting experience.

So, are you ready to delve into the world of deliciousness?

Disclaimer: Long post!! I will try to keep 1 dish per state but can’t really promise.

Andhra Pradesh

Pulihora, tamarind rice with various spices and dressings is mostly served during festivals and special occasions.

Arunachal Pradesh

Lukter is a side dish prepared by cooking meat with flakes of Bhut Jolokia, also known as the ghost pepper. It is commonly eaten with steamed rice.

Apong, rice beer prepared at home is free a traditional drink of Arunachal Pradesh. Since it is homemade, so it’s chemical-free and is considered to be a light beer. 

Assam

Pitha is one of the foods of Assam that has a lot of variations. It can be sweet or savory. Steamed or fried. Eaten by itself or soaked in milk. The combinations are endless.

Bihar

The only food that pops in my mind when I think of Bihar cuisine is Litti Chokha. Litti is round doughs of wheat filled with sattu (gram flour) mixture. They are mostly cooked in tandoor and then soaked in ghee. It is usually served with chokha, which is prepared by mixing boiled potatoes and brinjals along with chilies and onions. 

Chhattisgarh

Chila is a common breakfast dish in almost every household of Chhattisgarh. Mostly served with green chutney, it is not reserved for this state. Chila is prepared in many other states and has been one of the staple dishes in many homes.

Goa

Pork Vindaloo is a rich dish prepared by marinating the pork with various spices and vinegar together and then cooked. It is said that this tastes better if it gets a bit old, as the margination is more and hence the meat is more tender and flavorful.

Gujrat

Khaman is a snack made of chickpea flour. It has a spongy texture with a dressing of sweet water tempered with mustard seeds, coriander, and green chilies. Even though khaman is itself salty, the combination of salt and sugar gives it a unique and unforgetful taste. The dishes of Gujrat are said to be mostly sweet.

Haryana

Bajra Khichri is a khichri with bajra as the main ingredient instead of rice. Along with Bajra, urad dal and choice of vegetables are added. 

Himachal Pradesh

Madra has chickpeas as the main ingredient, along with many spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin. It is one of the traditional foods which represent the culture of Himachal Pradesh.

Siddu is mostly considered a snack food but it requires a lot of time and effort to prepare. It is a steamed wheat bun filled with various fillings both sweet and savory. It might feel doughy to some people but if you want to have some real Himachali food, then this is it.

Jharkhand

Rugra is a mushroom that is rare and indigenous to Jharkhand only. It is found in abundance during the monsoon season and tastes like meat. It is a must-try as this can only be found here.

Karnataka

Bonda, a fried snack from Mysore is popular street food in Karnataka. It is usually made of urad dal but can also be prepared from a mixture of maida and curd. You can find this at all times in various food joints.

Kerala

Appam is a thin pancake made of fermented rice and coconut batter. At first glance, it might be similar to a Dosa, but the ingredients are different and hence the taste of both dishes also differs. 

Madhya Pradesh

Super healthy breakfast, Poha, has cut this list. It is prepared of flattened rice with onions, curry leaves, and coriander. A perfect way to start your day. It can be eaten with a drizzle of lemon juice or with sev.

Maharashtra

Vada Pav is an Indian version of your all-time favorite burger. With a deep-fried potato patty squeezed between a pav, which is similar to a bun, and loaded with a bunch of spices and chutneys, it is a go-to food for all Maharashtrians.

Puran Poli is a sweet paratha filled with a mixture of sweet chana dal preparation. It might be something of very weird food to eat for a North Indian. But trust me, even though I grew up in the north Indian states, I crave this dish from time to time because it’s so damn good.

Pav Bhaji, a dish that cannot be left behind when talking about Maharashtra street food. A plate of Pav Bhaji will have buttered pavs along with a savory and spicy vegetable mix.

Manipur

Paaknam is a dish prepared by steaming a batter of besan (gram flour), vegetables, and spice. They are then cut into pieces and enjoyed as a snack. It Is one of the most loved dishes in Manipur.

Meghalaya

Doh-Khlieh is a simple yet delicious salad made of minced pork, chilies, and onions. It has many variations by which vegetables can be added to this basic dish.

Mizoram

Mizo Bai is a stew made from seasonal vegetables and pork if going for a non-veg Bai. It is one of the most easily available dishes in Mizoram. As per your choice, you can add noodles also to this dish to make it more filling.

Nagaland

Samathu is a pork stew made from slow cooking the pork along with Axone, which is fermented soybean. The Axone gives it the unique taste and flavor that has made samathu a signature dish of Nagaland. 

Odisha

Dahi Vada Aloo Dum is a popular street food that is a combination of the commonly found street food, Dahi vada (deep-fried lentil vadas soaked in curd water), and a spicy saucy dish Aloo dum (potato curry). You can spot the thela walas during mornings and evenings at public places such as a bus stop or outside office areas.

Khaja is a crispy sweet dish with layers of chashni dripping with each bite you take. So, it is prepared of maida dough rolled in layers, cut into pieces, deep-fried, and finally soaking in flavored sugar syrup for a few minutes to let all the syrup penetrate the layers. It’s so damn delicious.

Pakhala Bhat, simply fermented rice soaked in water and curd overnight, is a common lunchtime meal at many Odisha households. It is served with various side dishes such as fried vegetables, papad, green chilies, and onion. A perfect dish to keep you cool during summers.

Punjab

Chole Bhature!!! The iconic and best Punjabi dish you can come upon is finally here. A fluffy inflated bread served with chole (chickpeas) is your go-to food if you want a taste of authentic Punjabi food.

Kada Prasad, a sweet dish made of wheat, sugar, and ghee, this is mostly served in gurudwaras. But you can definitely find this prepared at home as well as on various occasions and festivals.

Rajasthan

When in Rajasthan, no one can resist Dal Bati. The bati is made of wheat balls cooked in an oven until hardened. They are then soaked in ghee and served with dal.

Ghewar or Ghevar is a traditional Rajasthani sweet delicacy. It is mostly prepared and available in the shops during the months of July-August. So, if you are planning to try it, visit during these months.

Sikkim

Momos are one dish that you will find in every nook and corner of Sikkim. These are steamed dumplings with anything and everything as filling. The most loved one is pork momos.

Similar to what you might have heard of kimchi and sauerkraut, Sinki is a fermented radish root and acts as an immune booster.

Tamil Nadu

Idli is the most common breakfast food you will find here in Tamil Nadu. It is a mixture of rice and urad dal grinder and then steamed into spongy UFO-shaped pancakes. It is mostly eaten with sambar (curry made of toor dal and vegetables) and coconut chutney. 

Dosa is another signature dish of Tamil Nadu. Made of the same batter as that of idli, it is a flat crepe with many variations. The most famous one is masala dosa, where the dosa is filled with a savory potato filling.

Telangana

Nothing can beat this spot to Hyderabadi Biryani. Everyone’s most beloved and favorite among all dishes. Meat and rice cooked in layers, giving the biryani a whole different level of flavor, it is one dish that no cone a say no to.

Tripura

Wahan Mosdeng is a famous pork dish loved by Tripura people. A very simple yet delicious food, it is a mixture of boiled pork along with onions and chilies. It can be enjoyed with bot rice as well as roti.

Uttarakhand

Kafuli is a local dish prepared of spinach and methi (fenugreek) leaves. It is a healthy as well as tasty dish preferred to be eaten with steamed rice. 

A very famous sweet dish, Arsa is made of ground rice mixed with jaggery and then deep-fried. It is a common snack item in many events of Uttarakhand.

Uttar Pradesh

The very famous Tundey Kebab of Lucknow is a signature dish and a real must to have when you visit Uttar Pradesh. They are the most tender kebabs you would have ever had. With more than 100 spices mixed with the meat, it has an outstanding flavor. 

Nargisi Kofta curry is an exotic dish prepared by covering boiled eggs with mutton mince and further cooking it in a thick and rich gravy.

West Bengal

Luchi with Chana dal is a common food item that fits all occasions. Be it a wedding festival or just a gathering at home. A perfect comfort food for Bengalis, it is a deep-fried bread made of maida served with savory chana dal. 

Aloo Posto has all the deliciousness even in its name. Posto or poppy seeds is used in a lot of Bengali cuisine dishes. And potato is no exception. This food is quite popular to be served with white steamed rice along with a non-veg main course.