10 Indian States and Their Special Dishes (2024)

India is a nation that is so vibrant and diverse that every state exhibits a different culture, tradition, a way of life, language and cuisine.

India consists of 28 states and seven union territories. However, that is not what sets it apart from the other countries of the world. India is a nation that is so vibrant and diverse and every state exhibits a different culture, tradition, a way of life, language and cuisine.

So, whether you are spending a few days up north in Kashmir or vacationing down south to Kerala, you will witness striking dissimilarities in the kind of foods people savor. This is what makes India one of the much-loved countries by gourmet foodies the world over. To give you a better insight into the food scene of the nation, below is a listing of a few Indian states and their special dishes, so that when you are in the country next, you can focus on trying out the best local cuisines!

1. Punjab

Makke ki roti and sarson da saag. [Photo Source: Pinterest]

This northern state is especially popular for its amazing local cuisine that is relished throughout the country. Try the makke ki roti and sarson da saag, which is a popular combination of a Punjabi flat-bread and gravy made of mustard leaves and spices. Also, the popular chhola-bhatura, rajma-chawal, amritsari machhli (fish) and lassi (sweetened buttermilk) find their roots in this region.

2. Gujarat

Dhokla [Photo Source: Pinterest]

Traditional Gujarati food is adored for its distinctive flavor that maintains an interesting balance between spices and sweetness. Try the dhokla, which is a well-known snack or breakfast item that is both healthy and delicious. Other popular delicacies include the thepla (flat-bread made of fresh fenugreek leaves and flour), khandvi, dhansak and Gujarati kadhi.

3. Maharashtra

Vada Pav [Photo Source: Pinterest]

Maharashtrian cuisine covers a range of dishes that go from being too mild to very zesty. Throughout the state, you can find amazing restaurants serving typical local food. The most cherished is the vada pav, which is a potato fritter stuffed between bread buns, served with piquant chutney and green chilies. Other prominent dishes from this region include, pav-bhaji, shrikhand, thalipeeth, puran poli and modak.

4. Bihar

Litti Chokha[Photo Source: Pinterest]

People don’t know enough about the typical cuisine of Bihar even though it is excessively rich in taste and austere in the way it is prepared. The most admired delicacy of the state is litti and chokha, which consists of roasted wheat balls stuffed with a special filling and mashed potatoes with distinct flavors. Also worth trying are the sattu parathas, jhal murhi, khaja and tilkut.

5. Rajasthan

Dal Baati [Photo Source: Pinterest]

This state is not only illustrious because of its vast deserts, beautiful palaces, and vibrant history—it is also famed for the scrumptious indigenous cuisine. The region presents a variety of delicacies when it comes to food. One of the most appetizing dishes is daal-baati,which consists of hard balls made of wheat flour and additives fried in ghee, and a special daal made of different types of pulses. It is usually served with churma,a sweet dish prepared by crushing baatis and adding ghee and sugar. Also try the pyaaz kachori, malai ghewar, gatte ki sabzi and kalakand.

6. West Bengal

Doi Machh[Photo Source: Pinterest]

Bengal is just the right state for those who have a sweet tooth or those who love fish. That might be a strange combination—and yet in India, you will find famous Bengali sweets and Bengali restaurants serving the traditional cuisine in almost every city you visit. One popular dish is the doi machh, which is Bengali fish curry with rice. Other well-known delicacies include the sandesh, daab jhingri (a special mustard prawn curry), rasgulla and mishti doi.

7. Sikkim

Phagshapa[Photo Source: Pinterest]

The cuisine of this state is influenced by the northeastern part of India and Nepal along with a high Nepalese population. One of the must-try delicacies in Sikkim is the phagshapa,made of strips of dried pork fat cooked with turnips, radishes, and chilies. Also, momos, thukpa, gundruk and sael roti are quite popular in this region.

8. Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabadi Biryani[Photo Source: Pinterest]

This is the state that has given the world one of its most savored dishes: biryani. Andhra Pradesh deserves a visit, especially for the authentic Hyderabadi biryani. Biryani is made of layered rice which is cooked with any type of meat, chicken or a combination of vegetables. Other popular food options in the state to take in are mirchi salan, ghongura pickleand korikoora.

9. Jammu and Kashmir

Kalaadi cheese [Photo Source: Pinterest]

The northernmost state of India brings forth one of the most delicious cuisines to be found anywhere in the country. The roganjosh, dum aloo, yakhni, haak saag, gustaba and tabakmaaz are some of the well-liked dishes served in this region. One incredible delicacy to taste is the kalaadi cheese,which is a traditional local hill cheese (usually made from cow’s milk) native to this land.

10. Tamil Nadu

Masala Dosa [Photo Source: Pinterest]

The taste of India cannot be complete without a mention of the dosa and idli. This state is the origin of the most famous South Indian cuisine that is eaten around the world. There are a variety of dosas available around the region—but the most popular is the masala dosa, in which a fermented crepe made of rice batter is filled with potatoes and served with sambhar and coconut chutney. Also, one must try the idlis, appam, rasam, chettinad chicken and pongal when in this state.