25 Popular One Dish Indian Meals

Indian cuisine is so vast, so varied, it's baffling. It’s also the most amazing fare. Internationally, what is known and available is just a wee bit of the tip of the iceberg, rest, so to say, is all underneath, frozen, out of sight but well-preserved. But not for us Indians, especially the ones who are living here, counting themselves among die-hard foodies and claiming we live to eat and do!

The thing is, a country as large, with 28 states and 8 union territories, is bound to have its own niche dishes which locals know and love but the dishes will not have travelled far and wide, unfortunately. Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gujarat to Assam is a large territory and we are aware every city, every village has its own food, traditional, classic, nuanced. Hundreds and thousands of mouth-watering food that comes to mind in random order; Tabak Maaz, Rishta, Haak, Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri, Korma, Nihari,
Malai Kofta, Litti Chokha, Undhiyu, Pandhra Rassa, Tambda Rassa, Kolhapuri Mutton, Thalipeet, Chettinaad Chicken, Ven Pongal, Pesarattu, Appam Stew and so many versions of fish and prawn curries, pulaos and biryanis.

What more comes to mind is Misal Pav, Kachori, Samosa, Pesarattu Upma, Methi Thepla, Khandvi, Dhokla, Poha, Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, Pani Puri, Idli, Medu Vada, Uttapam...Chicken Tikka Masala, all kinds of vegetables; Bhindi Masala, Baingan Bharta, Palak Paneer.

With such an array, to zero in on what contributes the best of '25 One Dish Indian Meals' eaten all over India, is not an easy task, but here goes… A list of dishes that one can make a meal of, simply by having it on its own. Or at best with some steamed rice or roti hot off the tawa!s

1        Biryani

2        Khichda

3        Dal Gosht

4        Khichdi – all kinds

5        Pulao

6        Rajma Chawal

7        Chole Bhature

8        Pav Bhaji

9        Masala Dosa

10      Aloo Paratha

11      Dal Makhani

12      Kadhi Chawal

13      Vada Pav

14      Aloo Tikki – Ragda Pattice

15      Chana Masala

16      Butter Chicken

17      Fish curry

18      Prawn curry

19      Egg curry

20      Kheema Pav

21      Mutton Rogan Josh

22      Rasam rice

23      Gushtaba

24      Laal Maas

25      Tandoori chicken