Indian food — world's most diverse, spicy. Vegetarian tradition. North: roti, dal, curry. South: rice, idli, dosa.
Curry
Curry — thousand types. Masala (turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, chili). Chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, palak paneer, chole masala, rajma.
Roti and Rice
North: roti, naan, paratha, chapati. South: rice primary. Basmati rice — world famous. Biryani (Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, Kolkata) — Mughal heritage.
Vegetarianism
60% Indians vegetarian (world's largest number). Paneer, dal, vegetables. Hindu, Jain, Buddhist traditions. Thali — 6-10 small dishes on one plate.
South Indian
Idli (steamed rice cakes), dosa (crispy crepe), uttapam, sambar, rasam, coconut chutney. Traditional breakfast. Served on banana leaf.
Street Food
Samosa, pakora, chaat (pani puri, bhel puri, dahi puri), pav bhaji (Mumbai), vada pav, chole bhature. Spicy, intense, cheap.
Sweets
Gulab jamun, rasgulla (Bengal), jalebi, barfi, ladoo, kheer, gajar ka halwa, rasmalai, kulfi (Indian ice cream). Diwali, Holi, weddings.
Drinks
Chai (masala chai) — national drink, ginger + cardamom + milk. Lassi (yogurt drink), nimbu pani, solkadhi, badam milk. Beer (Kingfisher), whisky.