We Indians love our spices, and many of us think foreign food is too bland. It’s true—when you move abroad, there will be challenges at first, and finding good food is sure to be one of them. As my mom says, “Going abroad sounds fun for a few days, but when you have to cook for yourself, you’ll start missing India!”
But don’t worry—I won’t be missing Indian food, and neither will you, because this article is here to guide you through the popular Indian dishes you’ll crave and how to find them abroad. We’ve got you covered!
Pani Puri - Muh main paani aajaye
Pani puri tops the list of most-loved dishes among Indians. You will miss the crunchy puris filled with ragda. I used to think only girls loved it, but I was wrong—my male friends equally say, "Bhaiya, aur theeka daalo!" Living abroad surely makes you miss this mouth-watering dish. Look for 'golgappa' or 'puchka' at Indian grocery stores near you. They may even have the kits for making pani puri! And if that's still not working, watch some YouTube videos, make your own puris, mix your own spicy water, and have a DIY chaat party with all your fellow desi friends!
Vada Pav - Mumbai ki Shaan
All Mumbaikars unite when it comes to vada pav! One of the easiest to make and of the most delicious snacks of Maharashtra. There are quite a few places overseas that make vada pav as it tastes back in India. Search for spots nearby on Google Maps, grab your gora friends, and let them experience the delicious chaos of your culture!
Hear me out - how about starting your own vada pav business? You can make it yourself and sell it on the streets—you might just earn a lot of money! Damn, it’s a business idea for MBA graduates. Just kidding... or am I?
Butter Chicken - For chicken lovers
Punjabis are famous for their chicken recipes, and one standout is Butter Chicken served with Tandoori Naan. I’m sure you’re drooling! But no worries—Butter Chicken has made its mark worldwide and is available in popular Indian restaurants in almost every country. Almost all major Indian restaurants abroad serve this dish. They also serve ‘Chicken Tikka masala’ which is somewhat similar to butter chicken.
Chicken Biryani - Hyderabadi special
You will miss the lovely, fluffy rice layers combined with perfectly spiced meat and caramelised onions. If you are lucky enough to have an Indian grocery store near you, they might stock pre-cooked biryani mixes like Shan or Laziza. But to really get the experience right, track down a Hyderabadi or Mughlai restaurant-most big cities have one or two treasures where they do biryani some justice. Pro-tip: ask for extra fried onions to get that authentic touch!
Idli Vada Dosa - South Indian bliss
South Indians love their idli, dosa, and uttapam, accompanied by sambar and coconut chutney. These are some of the tastiest and healthiest foods! My friend is a North Indian, yet she loves them too. They’re easy to make because the batter is readily available in the market; you just have to follow the instructions and have the necessary cooking equipment!
Delhi street food - Desh ki Rajdhani
We’ve already discussed financial capital, but let's shift our focus to Delhi’s unbeatable street food: chaat, momos, chole bhature, chole kulche, chowmein, and papdi chaat. Nothing compares to the flavours of Delhi’s streets! However, if you're abroad and craving these delights, you’ll find ready-made snacks and cup noodles that can transport you back to those vibrant tastes.
Indian sweets - Kuch Meetha Hojaye
Rasmalai, kaju katli, besan ke ladoo, gulaab jamun, rabdi, and soan papdi, among others, are often better in quality abroad, as many of these sweet shops are owned by Indian people who specialize in traditional sweets. Therefore, there's no need to worry; you can easily find delicious Indian sweets in various sweet shops overseas. Additionally, Haldiram's, a well-known name in Indian sweets, has expanded to different countries, providing a reliable option for authentic Indian desserts.
Popular Indian Thalis - Yeh mera India!
Every possible dish that I have missed out on will be covered here: Rajasthani dal baati churma, Gujarati jalebi fafda, and dhokla; makai roti with sarson da saag; and litti chokha from UP. To all my fellow Indians who have shifted abroad for their studies, my heart goes out to you for missing your authentic ghar ka khaana and your roots. However, something has to be sacrificed for something. Hold on to those cravings and wait for your vacations! When the time comes, you can travel back to India and relish your favourite dishes. No matter how hard you try, you won't get the real taste of India abroad—there are only alternatives. Speaking of which, let's look at some popular Indian restaurants.
Some popular Indian stores and restaurants abroad
Bibi, London
Dhamaka, New York city
Tonka, Melbourne
Saffron, California
Chowrangi, London
Junoon, Manhattan
Benaras, Mayfair
Indian Club Berlin, Germany
The Spice Room, Australia
Gymkhana, Mayfair
For vegans or people who eat only vegetarian, there are plenty of options for you too. .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I find authentic Indian spices and ingredients outside India?
Indian grocery stores, online retailers, and even large supermarkets in major cities abroad often stock essentials like garam masala, turmeric, and basmati rice. Some international stores even carry specific brands popular in India. You can even carry your own masala packet with you while travelling abroad.
What’s the best way to find Indian food delivery services abroad?
Apps like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and DoorDash have options to filter by cuisine. Some cities also have Indian-specific delivery services or caterers that provide homestyle meals to local Indian communities.
Is there any househelp available in foreign to make my food?
There might be househelps available but you don’t want to pay a heavy amount of money on them. Instead another alternative would be you cooking your own food. In this way not only you will learn a new skill i.e cooking but also learn how to survive alone in a different country. For cooking you can watch youtube videos, shorts etc etc
How do I stay connected to Indian food culture while living abroad?
Apart from cooking at home, joining local Indian communities, celebrating Indian festivals, and sharing potluck meals with friends are great ways to stay connected with Indian cuisine and culture.
Now that you have researched your common fears like how to find Indian food abroad, it is actually the time to look for the best universities and locations to consider while going abroad for studies. contact TFM , your trusted overseas education consultancies that provide you a detailed analysis of your profile so that you secure your position in top abroad universities
Comments