20 Indian cities and the food they are famous for

India is a vast land with many religions, languages, and cuisines. The lines on a political map of India are more than just an indication of different states. They are a mark of the cultural diversity that our country is home to. One of the best outcomes of this diversity makes India a paradise for anyone who loves food, which encompasses practically the entire world. India attracts a lot of tourists, and along with many famous landmarks that are sights to behold, the wide array of cuisines that changes as you cross each state border attract a lot of travelers. With that being said, here is a list of 20 cities of India, with the quintessential dish of each city.

There are two things that make Malaiyo special. Firstly, it is only prepared in Varanasi, and secondly, it is only available in the winter. Malaiyo is a sweet dish that is made with milk froth flavoured with saffron and garnished with pistachios and almonds. The fluffy dish is served in an earthen bowl with each bite melting in your mouth. (Image: Instagram/varanasi.eats)

Prepared with traditional Kashmiri chillies, Rogan Josh is a dish made of lamb or goat that not only tastes exquisite, but the smell is delightfully appetizing too. It is served in a thick, and might we say greasy gravy, but the oil just adds to the taste, so don’t fret.

Jadoh is a Khasi preparation that has found popularity among all residents of Meghalaya. This dish is made by cooking red rice and pork, and is a must-have for pork lovers, or meat lovers in general for that matter. A wide array of spices give Jadoh its unique colour and rich taste.

Litti Chokha is one of the more nutritious street foods on this list. Litti is a ball made with wheat flour and sattu, and it is served with chokha, which is vegetable mix made of brinjal and potato. Together, the two make for one healthy and delicious snack that can be found in almost every street of Patna.

One of the many coastal cities in India, Panaji is also one of the most famous of the cities, renowned for hosting the best nightlife in the country. The city is also known for its seafood delicacies, which complement the life and culture. Of the dishes, Prawn Gassi is a traditional prawn curry that will give you a taste of the authentic Goan cuisine.

Mithais are a beloved part of the Indian cuisine. Among so many mithais that cause your mouth to water and heart to melt, this one is straight out of Mysore, Karnataka, and is made of ghee, sugar, and gram flour.

Street food is synonymous with Mumbai, and nothing beats the popularity, taste, and availability of Vada Pav. The chatpata snack made of vada (a fried snack) and pav (bun) is served with green chutney, and is one of the most mouthwatering dishes not just in Mumbai, but all over the country.

Lucknow has some of the best food the country has to offer, and it is no surprise since it used to be North India’s cultural capital in the nineteenth century, and a lot of that culture is still left behind. Behold Tunday ke Kebab, one of the finest kebabs made of minced meat that melts in your mouth and stands out as the best dish in a city that is known for so many meat dishes. (Image: Instagram/butterflyontheprowl)

One of the finest mithais in the country, rasgulla is so popular that it is served at almost every wedding, bouffet, or party nationwide. A small white ball prepared with milk and sugar, it is so spongy that sugar syrup literally oozes out of it when pressed.

Both steaming the fish and adding bamboo shoot give the dish a subtle yet enticing flavour. Fish is popular in Nagaland, and dishes like this prove exactly why. Heavily influenced by the Oriental cuisine, if you ever stumble upon Kohima then this is the one dish that you must get your hands on.

Meen fry or fish fry might not sound like a dish that defines the food culture of a city, but it is true in the case of Kochi. The use of authentic spices to give a unique flavour to the fish makes it stand apart from all other fish preparations the world has to offer.

Three foods go into making this Rajasthani staple - dal (lentil), bati (hard bread), and churma (wheat cooked in ghee and sugar), and the trio of foods all provide their own unique taste to make for a wholesome and toothsome delicacy.

If there is one good thing that came from the Mughals, it is their food. Biryani is one of the most famous dishes world over, and one of the most authentic lip smacking recipes can be found in our very own country, in the city of Hyderabad. The taste of Dum Biryani is accentuated by the use of spicy masalas that leave you wanting more biryani, as well as more water.

Khar is an important part of the Assamese cuisine, and it is traditionally prepared with banana peels or the trunk of the banana plant. Spinach Khar is an interesting take on the authentic dish, and as can be inferred from the name, is prepared with spinach. It is usually eaten before starting a meal, so be sure to order it if you happen to dine at a restaurant.

It is hard to choose the quintessential dish of the capital city, since so many neighbouring states and cities influence the cuisine, and there are so many street foods that steal your heart. But in the end, the distinction has to go to Chole Bhature, whose taste has won many hearts all over North India.

The region of Kodagu, known nationally as Coorg, is famous for its pork dishes, and the best out of the lot has to be Pandi Curry. Prepared with a plethora of herbs and spices, this Coorgi dish gives you a taste of pork like never before.

While idli is a quintessential dish across most of South India, it is considered an important staple in Chennai, so we let the gateway to the south have this one. The puffy cake is made by steaming batter made from urad dal and rice, and it makes for a protein rich and nutritious breakfast, not to mention that it gives you a taste of Chennai.

Though the langar at the Golden Temple might steal the spot for the best holistic food experience in Amritsar, if you’re looking for a more unique dining experience, the Amritsari Kulcha paired with chole with satiate your palate. Unlike regular kulchas that are simply made with maida, the Amritsari rendition includes stuffing of vegetables like paneer, onions, or potatoes to make for a more flavourful kulcha. (Image: Instagram/kushigalu)

A lot of delicacies are prolific in Gujarat, but none is as symbolic as khandvi, a savoury made of gram flour and yogurt and served as a roll with green chilli, sautéed mustard seeds, and green chutney. Not only is it delectable, but it is also a change from the generally sweetened Gujarati snacks.

The Taj Mahal is inarguably the grandest attraction in the city of Agra, but anyone with a sweet tooth or a love for food and culture has to try out Petha, a dessert that originated in this historic city. The translucent mithai is available in many flavours, but only in Agra can you find petha with the most authentic taste.