Indian Restaurant Near Me
In recent years, Indian food has reached amazing popularity within the United States and beyond. With a large variety of dishes, appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and snacks; dishes have found fans on an international scale. With enormous success in every possible culture and every possible corner of the world. As a cuisine that combines all tastes possible, Indian food satisfies lovers of every kind of flavor. From spicy and sweet, to salty and savory, there is a palette to suit every need.
Are you interested in finding an Indian restaurant in your area? Simply browse Indian restaurant near me on the map below and find a list of Indian restaurants in your area. Need a bit more information on Indian restaurants? Read on for facts, trivia, and a list of the best Indian restaurants in the US!
Indian Restaurant Near Me – Find it on the Map
Indian Restaurant Near Me – Indian Restaurant Trivia
What is the foundation of Indian food?
If you’re searching Indian restaurant near me, you may be wondering what the foundation is of Indian food. The history of Indian food is closely steeped with the tradition of Indian appetizers which are based up on the country’s rich culture and traditions. Indian cuisine is typically as diverse as the people who live within the confines of the country, which means it has a large selection of appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, and snacks. Besides being extremely tasty, these snacks are fast, low in fat, and are based upon a number of spices and herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cloves, asafetida, aniseed and coriander. A majority of Indian appetizers and snacks are actually based on potatoes combined with different spices. Alu Ki Tikki for example is one of the oldest snacks recorded in the history of Indian cuisine. It is made out of mashed potatoes, coriander, and onions. Another snack that is often enjoyed by Indian folks, especially by the British during the Raj period, is a Samosa appetizer made out of steamed potatoes, peas, and vegetables. This is just one of many appetizers passed down since ancient times.
Which religions dominated Indian cooking early on?
If you’re searching Indian restaurant near me, you may be wondering which two religions are responsible for many of the dishes dominating Indian food. Hindu and Muslim are the two religions that have influenced Indian cooking and food habits more than any other. With each migration of new settlers, different culinary methods were introduced into the cuisine. The Hindu vegetarian culture was once widely practiced and implemented in cooking a variety of dishes. Adversely, Muslim tradition brought a dominant cooking of meats. Popular dishes contributed by Muslim settlers include: Mughlai food, kabass, rich kormas (curry), and nargisi kaftas (meatballs. Briyani (layered rice and meat), rogan Josh, and dishes prepared over clay or tandoor are also contributions made by muslim settlers. In South India, the cuisine is almost always based with an accent of a thin soup known as Rasam.
Indian Restaurant Near Me – Indian Restaurant Facts
The Land of Spices
In what is perhaps one of the most fitting titles of any country, India is known throughout the world as the land of spices. If you’re searching Indian restaurant near me or are simply a fan of Indian cuisine, then you know that Indian food is based upon different spice combinations. This is why so much Indian food is bursting with rich flavor unseen in dishes from other parts of the world. In fact, no country in the world produces as many varieties of spices as India. From curry powder, turmeric, coriander, and ginger to nutmeg and mace; there is never a shortage of spice in Indian cooking.
Staple Ingredients
If you’re a fan of Indian food, then you know that many dishes are prepared with a few staple ingredients. While one might think these staples are Indian in origin, many ingredients such as potatoes, tomatoes, and chilis are not of Indian origin whatsoever. In fact, many of these staples in Indian cooking were actually brought to the country by the Portuguese. This just shows that Indian food is a melting pot that includes contributions from many countries, religions, and cultures throughout the world.
The First Indian Restaurant
If you’re searching Indian restaurant near me, you may be wondering when the first Indian restaurant came to America. According to historians, the first Indian restaurant in the USA opened in the mid 1960s. While the fledgling restaurant didn’t find immediate popularity, the cuisine soon prospered. Today there are more than 80,000 Indian restaurants in America. This should mean you’ll get plenty of options when looking for just the right Indian restaurant.
Top 3 Indian Restaurants in the US
1. Indika, Houston, TX
Everything is bigger and better in Texas, even the the Indian food. Indika has an innovative fusion menu that allows for an amazing palette of flavors and tastes. From authentic fiery red hot chili pepper shrimp and pork chop vindaloo, this Indian joint offers some of the best in the business.
2. Mysore Woodlands, Chicago, IL
If you’re a meat hungry individual, Mysore Woodlands is the Indian restaurant for you. With numerous meat centric dishes along with bottomless mixed vegetable cutlets, samosa, and several different curries, this Indian restaurant is as authentic as it is exciting.
3. Punjabi Dhaba, Cambridge, MA
Everyone from college students to stock brokers love Punjabi Dhaba for its authentic Indian dishes. With hearty servings at a low price, this Indian joint caters to individuals from every walk of life. Making Indian accessible and delicious isn’t easy but Punjabi has struck an amazing balance.