A menu filled with unfamiliar names like Samosa, Pani Puri, and Pav Bhaji can make it difficult to know what to order first, especially if you’re trying Indian food for the first time. This guide will help you understand some of the most popular Indian snacks and dishes, what they taste like, and which options may suit your preferences.
Indian snacks cover a huge range of flavours, textures, and aromas, which can make it hard to know where to start. There are crispy bites, spicy bites, tangy bites, and plenty of things in between. Here are some of the most popular ones, what they taste like, and why they’ve built such a following.
Discover the best Indian food, from popular Indian snacks like samosa, pani puri, bhel puri, dahi puri, and sev puri to classic favourites such as butter chicken, biryani, and paneer tikka. You’ll also learn what makes authentic Indian food special and get simple tips for choosing dishes you may enjoy.
Indian food is not just about heat and spice. It is about layers of flavour, colour, and smell all coming together at once. Indian cuisine varies significantly by region, with differences in ingredients, cooking methods, spice blends, and traditional dishes across the country.
Here is why Indian food stands out:
If you are new to Indian food, you do not need to try everything on day one. Start with a few popular picks, and build your taste buds up from there. These dishes are widely recognised as examples of Indian cuisine and offer a useful starting point for people trying Indian food for the first time.
Indian snacks are famous around the world because they are fast, affordable, and packed with more flavour than you would expect from something so small. They are perfect for after-school cravings, movie nights, or just hanging out with friends.
One of the most recognisable Indian snacks is the samosa. A samosa is a crisp, triangular pastry traditionally filled with spiced potatoes and peas, although meat-filled versions are also available.
Pani Puri is one of India’s most recognisable street-food snacks, made with crisp, hollow puris filled with spiced water, mashed potatoes, chutney, and other fillings, then eaten in one bite.
Bhel Puri is a light, crunchy snack made with puffed rice, sev, chopped vegetables, and sweet and spicy chutneys, all tossed together.
Dahi Puri takes the same crispy puri shells but fills them with cool, creamy yoghurt (called “dahi”) along with chutneys and crunchy toppings.
Sev Puri is perfect for anyone who loves a good crunch. Flat, crispy puris are topped with chopped veggies, spicy and sweet chutneys, and a generous sprinkle of sev, thin, crunchy fried noodles made from chickpea flour. You can also customise the toppings to match how spicy you like your food.
Pav Bhaji combines a spiced vegetable mash with buttered, toasted bread rolls, creating a rich and comforting street-food dish. It is strongly associated with Mumbai’s street-food culture and is now enjoyed in many parts of India.
Ready to Try These Indian Flavours in Manchester?
Come and enjoy fresh, flavourful dishes made with care and inspired by the tastes of India.
Freshly prepared food can offer a different depth of flavour from many packaged or pre-prepared alternatives. Here is what sets it apart:
At Durbar Square, these traditions are reflected in how our dishes are prepared and served, with a focus on fresh ingredients, traditional flavours, and recipes inspired by Indian cooking.
If you’re looking for Indian food in Manchester, a few simple ways can help you choose a restaurant that suits your taste and expectations.
Want a deeper checklist? We’ve broken down exactly how to choose an authentic Indian restaurant, with seven signs you’ve found the real thing.
Indian food has gained global popularity because its regional cuisines offer a wide range of flavours, ingredients, and cooking traditions.
Beyond the flavours, many Indian dishes have their own history and cultural traditions. These traditions have helped Indian cuisine become popular around the world while allowing regional dishes to retain their own character.
Ready to taste it for yourself?
Visit Durbar Square in Manchester to explore dishes inspired by the flavours and traditions discussed in this guide.
Samosa and pani puri are among the most widely recognised Indian snacks. Samosas are known for their crisp pastry and savoury filling, while pani puri combines crisp shells with spiced water, chutneys and fillings.
Pani puri is filled with spicy-tangy flavoured water and popped in one bite, while sev puri is a flat, open snack topped with veggies, chutneys, and crunchy sev.
Samosas are traditionally deep-fried, so they are best enjoyed as part of a varied diet. Baked versions are also available and use a different preparation method.
Roasted chana, poha, and sprouts chaat are great quick Indian snacks for beginners since they are mild, simple, and easy to make.
Authentic Indian food can reflect regional ingredients, traditional preparation methods, established recipes and the cooking traditions of the communities where particular dishes developed.
Foods such as Dahi Puri, Butter Chicken, or Paneer Tikka can be good choices for beginners, depending on their preferred flavours and spice level.
