If you told 7-year-old me I would LOVE Indian food in about 20 years, I would have called you a liar. I may have said your pants were on fire too. You, however, would be speaking the truth. In India I am in food heaven.
Food here is mostly vegetarian (veg. is the word Indian people use). Cheese, creme and butter are common ingredients. Spices are liberally applied and all meals are served with a carbohydrate. I usually eat with my hands and I am improving my one-handed rip and scoop skills (non-technical term).
Slowly I am learning the names for common foods and items I enjoy most. This is my small dictionary:
- Aloo = potato
- Dal = lentil
- Paneer = cheese
- Roti or chapati, naan (garlic & butter if possible!) = varieties of breads
- Paratha = stuffed bread (my favorite is paneer paratha)
A satisfying and tasty McDonald’s meal at the Kuala Lumpur airpot. Homemade yogurt at Nina’s AirB&B on our first morning in Delhi.
There was so much food at Tarun’s wedding celebrations! Here is a sampling of what I ate upon arrival at the hotel, at the first night’s festivities, and at breakfast the second day.
We tried almost every food served on Tarun’s wedding night. It was a feast.
The day after the wedding, Tarun’s dad shared his favorite fruit with us. It is called sharifa or sitafal in India. Wikipedia says the English name is sugar-apple. The fruit has white, meaty, sweet pockets of flesh with a small black seed inside. Each pocket is pulled from the larger fruit before eating.
Tarun’s family hosted me and Bryana for breakfast after the wedding festivities ended. It was a great meal and it was special to be invited into their home. The following day, the buffet breakfast at our hotel included sautéed veggies. I had not seen vegetables prepared this way for a while.
In Agra, Bryana and I enjoyed meals together. Most meals in India are easily under $5USD.
Under the guise of needing to pay with credit card, I rationalized an expensive lunch buffet at a luxury hotel in Agra. I do not regret this decision. The view was also excellent.
Thali is the word for a plate of food made up of various dishes. Louie from London and I ate this meal together in Jaipur. A thali is a great way to try a variety of foods and to sample the best items at the restaurant. Also pictured is rice biryani, samosas and coffee, palak (spinach) dal, paneer (cheese cubes), and an after meal digestive of sugar and anise seed.
I met an awesome group of British women, Charlotte, Amy, and Kelly, in Jaipur. We traveled together to Pushkar too. I hope to see these friends for New Years celebrations in Goa.
Coffee served blended and with milk is now a regular part of my diet. I also enjoy chai, a traditional Indian drink of black tea mixed with milk and spices available everywhere.
Two of my meals in the lake city of Udaipur. For breakfast I tried a common Indian food, upma, made from semolina. At lunch I ordered thali.
The Year of Sarah Joy 
I love this!! The food looks delicious. I’d agree if you told 7 year old Wendy she’d like Indian food I wouldn’t believe me either.
All the naan, biryani and veg. Dishes look scrumptious!! Keep enjoying and eating good food
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Now I know why you and Mike love the Indian restaurant on Grand. Can do on the continuing to eat good food goal 🙂 Thanks Wendy!
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Looks all so so delicious. Can’t wait to head for an Indian family dinner upon your return!🍴
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Same here mom! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Just lumping many comments into one because that is the time I have.
1. We went to a two day Hindu wedding in Minneapolis once and it was just stunning. The wedding you attended in India looks like it was incredible and how lovely to be able to celebrate with such good friends. 🙂
2. The demonetization thing is FASCINATING.
3. OMG PLEASE EAT ALL OF THE FOOD ON MY BEHALF. Love Indian food.
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Hi Kat! Always a treat to hear your thoughts.
1. AMAZING you were able to attend a Hindu wedding. Something to always remember, right.
2. Latest update on that front. Today, I visited 2 ATMs. Zero cash. At the second one I met a guy who was driving around on his motor bike looking for money. I asked to jump on. 15 minutes later and on the other side of the city we found cash! A 45 minute wait and I now have $30USD in rupee. Little by little. Fun experience as always.
3. Done and Done. Any tips on best Indian in the Twin Cities?
Take care!
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3. I will see if I can come to any revelations on this. I eat a lot of Taste of India and Bukhara (they have the best Peshwari Naan).
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I am giggling about your room service! Reading between the lines…If I were in India I’d be hiding out getting room service for sure-I never should have read that book! My favorite cuisine: INDIAN!!!
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That’s awesome you’re a fan of Indian food. I’ll keep an eye out on Veg. Perspective to see if you have any Indian recipes made your way.
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Yummm! Let’s eat Indian food together next time we see each other so you can tell me how it compares.
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Deal! And, with just a bit of luck, this meet and eat will be in your city. Fingers crossed. Thanks for reading and commenting Ellen!
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The food looks great
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Thanks Andrew. It is! And it’s just as fun to learn about the dishes and try new items.
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Good to know about your food experiences in India! A lot of westerners change their opinion about vegetarian food once they travel to India.
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Thanks Arv. I enjoy a mostly veg diet at home too. It’s great to continue that preference here.
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Me too 🙂
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Hi Sarah, thanks for a really detailed article and some tasty-looking photographs!
So is it possible to visit the Oberoi just for the restaurant and the views, but without having to pay their overnight rates (which I simply cannot afford)?
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Thanks Stuart for reading and following! Yes, you can stop by Oberoi for a drink only. The bar area has the best view. I imagine drinks are $10-15USD a piece. There was sign that said the patio (where the photo was taken) is for guests only. A staff person invited me out there. The view from the restaurant area did not include the Taj. Short answer, Yes! I imagine a sunset there with a cocktail would be an excellent choice. Happy December at home!
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Thanks, looks like we will be dropping in there for a drink – it would be rude not to!
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Haha. I like how you think Stuart. Can’t wait to see the photos or hear about it. Are you traveling to India on the January trip?
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I just had dinner but now I am hungry! Super intrigued by that fruit you tasted!
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Fruit photos are for you 🙂 If I run into it at a speciality grocer at home, you’ll be the first to know.
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The seven year old me didn’t have an option. Indian food was my only option. No qualms though. I absolutely adore it and love it that my new city, London, serves loads of it 🙂
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Thanks for your comment and input! Happy to know you’re enjoying London. Someday I look forward to visiting that city too.
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