North Indian cuisine is a broad term that encompasses the culinary traditions of several states in northern India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. It is characterized by the use of spices, dairy, and wheat-based bread.
Some of the most popular North Indian dishes include:
Butter chicken – a creamy tomato-based gravy with marinated chicken pieces
Rogan josh – a spicy lamb curry made with aromatic spices
Chole bhature – a dish consisting of spicy chickpea curry served with deep-fried bread called bhatura
Dal makhani – a creamy lentil dish made with black lentils and kidney beans
Tandoori chicken – marinated chicken cooked in a clay oven called tandoor
Naan – a leavened flatbread made with wheat flour and baked in a tandoor
Aloo gobi – a vegetarian dish made with potatoes, cauliflower, and a blend of spices
Samosas – fried or baked pastries filled with spiced potatoes or meat.
North Indian cuisine also includes a variety of sweets such as gulab jamun, rasgulla, and kulfi, which are popular desserts enjoyed across India and around the world.