Eating from Street Vendors
Although very cheap in value and looking appetising, beware eating from such vendors. Although some Dhabbas (roadside cafes) in the north are clean, check out first before eating at such places.
Hygiene before meals
In the UK you can buy a hand wash gel which you apply before meals. This cleans and sterilises the hands before meals.
Food and Drink
To avoid or minimise the risk of stomach upsets or “Delhi-belly” we would suggest: -
- Be careful to use ice in any drinks or in any form. Ask whether ice is prepared with distilled or sterilised water.
- Only drink bottled water that you personally break the seal.
- Do not eat raw vegetables or fruit unless they have been peeled.
- Only eat food that has been cooked to boiling point.
- In the UK, purchase yoghurt culture based tablets, which can be taken each morning with cold water before eating or drinking anything. They say the content in the tablets helps to counteract any bad bacteria.
- Do not overeat and get drunk, a major cause of stomach upsets.
- The food in India is cooked with fresh and strong spices compared to home and most food has a high content of chillies. When ordering, insist on mild preparation at the outset.
- Make sure all meat is well cooked.
- Carry all necessary medicines with you.
Remember, these Eating Out in India rules also apply to your flight back home.
Eating out in India is a very enjoyable experience, provided you follow these simple eating out rules.
Food Choices Explained
Food in India is generally extremely good value with a huge variety of places to eat out.
Food is available in abundance from 5 star hotel restaurants to street vendors and both as Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian. Fruits are in abundance of many varieties. Soft and Alcoholic drinks are available almost everywhere. Alcohol is prohibited in a few states, but foreigners can buy them through licensed shops.
When you think of typical Indian cuisine you probably think of tandoori chicken, beef jalfrezi, lamb korma as well as vindaloos, curries and tikkas. The reality, however, is that most of these originated in one Indian province, Punjab. However the dishes that weren’t created in Punjab weren’t even created in India but don’t let that put you off your Friday night takeaway – the ingredients are still Indian. It’s just the way they’re prepared and the name that they’ve been given may be different in India. Local food is different and of varieties that you can never imagine.
So, what is true Indian food all about then? The first and most important thing about Indian cuisine is the diversity among dishes. Well, there are two ingredients which you are guaranteed to find in every meal, depending on which part of the country you are visiting - rice if you’re visiting the south of the country and nan bread if you’re in northern India. As well as this, most cuisines are related by the use of similar spices, albeit with different ingredients.
Apart from this, however, you are in for a real culinary adventure. Dishes in the south tend to be a little hotter and spicier than their counterparts in the north, so you might do well to bear this is mind when ordering. Southern specialities, as already mentioned, are always accompanied by rice. Coconut is also widely used and seafood is also quite common.
In contrast, however, coconut is rarely used in the north but milk products including curd, cream and cottage cheese are very popular. As well as this northern Indians usually use vegetable oil in cooking while the southerners use a nut or sesame based oil.
Seafood is particularly popular in western India, as is the internationally renowned Bombay duck, which is also a type of fish (for those of you not already in the know). Salmon is also a common fish dish. Even within the western provinces there are many specialities. In Rajasthan meat delicacies are widely consumed while, in Goa, fish curry with rice is a big favourite and is usually washed down with some of the local alcoholic concoction called Feni.
You will find many places serve omelettes with toast and jam, plus fruit for breakfast at places where westerners go. Again at breakfast you can also have south Indian dishes such as Idli and Masala Dosa, Parathas for those so inclined. Those who prefer to be vegetarians will find there is more than enough selection to meet their needs, as it is a particular strength of Indian cooking.
India has a reputation in the west as a place where westerners get upset stomachs and diarrhoea. By following our simple guide you will stand a very good chance of being free of any problems while enjoying the fabulous Indian meals that are on offer.
Finally, Indian cuisine is best known for its wonderful collection of sweets made from milk and curd. Gulab Jamuns, Ladoos, Jalebi, Chena Murkhi and Anarkali are just some of the names you will encounter on your travels in the east of the country.
