Indian Cuisine for Beginners: What to Order at Himalayan
Walking into an Indian restaurant for the first time can feel overwhelming. The menu is long. The dish names are unfamiliar. You might wonder: Will it be too spicy? What get to order?
Don’t worry! You’re not alone in feeling this way.
We, Himalayan Kingdom, understand this common problem of beginners that trying Indian Cuisine can be confusing at first. And that’s why we created this simple guide, trying to walk you through the best dishes to start with, and explain what they taste like. This aims to help you order any Indian food with confidence.
Begin Your Journey with These Crowd-Pleasers
Most beginners want to start with the dishes that are loved worldwide. So, do you! For this, here are the top picks that are perfect for you. After going through this, you won’t have to think much about what ot order in an Indian Restaurant.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is the best dish to start with. It features tender chicken tikka in a creamy tomato and butter sauce. The sauce is mildly spiced, slightly sweet, and incredibly smooth. This dish won’t shock your taste buds with heat. To enhance its aroma, pair it with plain naan or butter naan.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Think of this as butter chicken’s bolder cousin. It has a creamy tomato sauce with a bit more spice, but it’s still mild enough for beginners. This is the most popular curry in the UK for good reason!
Chicken Korma
If you prefer sweeter, milder flavours, chicken korma is your best bet. This curry has a creamy sauce made with nuts, yoghurt, and coconut. It introduces you to warming spices like cardamom and cinnamon without any heat.
Essential Starters to Try
Selecting the right appetiser is essential to ease you into your meal.
Onion Bhaji
Onion bhaji is like an Indian onion ring, but better! Thinly sliced onions are mixed with spices and fried until golden. These come with three chutneys: mango (sweet), onion (tangy), and mint (cooling).
Samosa
Samosas are triangular-shaped pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas. It’s a classic Indian food that you can enjoy in the Himalayan Kingdom. They’re crispy on the outside and warm on the inside, which is perfect for first-timers.
Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka is boneless chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, then grilled in a tandoor (clay oven). It’s full of flavour but not too spicy.
Understanding Spice Levels
One of the biggest worries for beginners is spice level, and the good news is that not all Indian food is spicy!
MILD (Perfect for Beginners): Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma, Paneer Makhani
MEDIUM (A Little Kick): Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Roganjosh, Kadai Chicken
SPICY (For the Brave): Chicken Jalfrezi, Lamb Jalfrezi, Madras Dosa
Vegetarian Options Worth Trying
Indian cuisine has amazing vegetarian food. Even meat lovers will enjoy these!
Paneer Makhani
Paneer is Indian cottage cheese. Paneer makhani is the vegetarian alternative of butter chicken, with paneer cubes in a rich, creamy tomato sauce.
Dal Makhani
Black lentils and kidney beans are cooked slowly with butter, cream, and spices. This is comfort food at its best and goes perfectly with naan.
Saag Paneer
Spinach and cottage cheese in a traditional North Indian style. It’s both healthy and indulgent, making it a great way to enjoy your greens!
Rice and Naan Essentials
No Indian meal is complete without rice or bread.
Naan Options: Plain Naan is soft, pillowy flatbread perfect for scooping curry. Butter Naan adds richness. Garlic Naan brings extra flavour with fresh garlic and cilantro.
Rice Options: Boiled Rice is simple and perfect for soaking up sauces. Pulao Rice has aromatic spices like cumin for extra flavour.
Pro Tip: Order one naan and one rice to share. This gives you the best of both worlds!
Try Something Uniquely Nepali
Himalayan Kingdom specialises in both Indian and Nepali cuisine. These Nepali dishes are perfect for beginners.
Momo (Dumplings)
Momos are Himalayan-style dumplings similar to Chinese dumplings but with unique Himalayan spices. Get them steamed or fried, with vegetable or chicken filling. They come with spicy tomato chutney. Momos are less intimidating than curry because they’re bite-sized and easy to eat.
Chicken Choila
This traditional Nepali starter features smoky grilled chicken with ginger, garlic, and Himalayan spices. The flavour is bold but not too spicy, offering a unique taste different from typical curries.
Your First Order: A Sample Menu
Still not sure what to order? Here’s a complete beginner-friendly meal.
The Perfect First-Timer’s Order:
- Starter: Onion Bhaji or Samosa
- Main: Butter Chicken
- Sides: Butter Naan and Pulao Rice
- Extras: Raita
- Dessert: Gulab Jamun
Note: Curry portions at Himalayan Kingdom are generous. One curry can serve 1-2 people with rice and naan. Don’t over-order!
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
After digging blogs, we believe you get interesting insights for ordering Indian Food, whether at Himalayan Kingdom or any other restaurant. If we need to suggest more, start with mild dishes and work your way up to bolder flavours as you get comfortable. Remember, Indian cuisine is approachable and delicious.
At Himalayan Kingdom in Altrincham, you’ll find authentic Nepali and Indian cuisine with warm hospitality. No matter if you’re a beginner or a pro in Indian cuisine, our staff will guide you for your experience.
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Start with the suggestions in this guide, and soon you’ll be ordering like a regular!
Visit Himalayan Kingdom at 4 Crown Passages, Hale, Altrincham, or order online.
FAQs
1. What is the best Indian dish for beginners?
Butter Chicken is perfect for beginners at the Himalayan Kingdom. It features tender chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced tomato-butter sauce. Rich and comforting without overwhelming heat, it’s ideal for first-timers exploring Indian cuisine.
2. What is a good starter for an Indian meal?
Onion Bhaji and Home-made Samosa are excellent starters at Himalayan Kingdom. Both are crispy, flavorful, and mild, served with delicious chutneys. Our Chicken Tikka is another great tandoor-grilled option for beginners.
3. What is the most eaten Indian dish in UK?
Chicken Tikka Masala is the UK’s most popular Indian dish. Himalayan Kingdom serves an authentic version with marinated chicken in rich, creamy tomato sauce. It perfectly balances traditional Indian spices with comforting creaminess.
4. Can I adjust the spice level of dishes at Himalayan Kingdom?
Yes! Our chefs happily adjust spice levels to your preference, whether milder or spicier. Just inform our staff when ordering. We also recommend trying raita, a cooling yoghurt sauce that balances heat perfectly.
5. Does Himalayan Kingdom offer vegetarian options for beginners?
Absolutely! Try Paneer Makhani, our vegetarian butter chicken with cottage cheese, or Dal Makhani with creamy black lentils. Saag Paneer combines spinach and cheese beautifully. All are beginner-friendly and delicious!
