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Indian cuisine: Quick Facts

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News •

4 Triangle restaurants rank among the nation’s best for Indian food • Nov. 2, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Raleigh News & Observer)
Ranji Smile: The forgotten chef who opened America’s first Indian restaurant • Oct. 30, 2026, 10:02 PM ET (BBC)
Best Indian food in NC is served at this popular Durham restaurant, report finds • Oct. 24, 2026, 9:00 AM ET (The Raleigh News & Observer)
New family-owned Indian restaurant opens in southwest Fort Worth • Oct. 15, 2026, 4:48 PM ET (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Facts

Also Known As Indian cooking

Photos

Dal, an Indian lentil dish
Four laborers thresh rice by beating large bundles of stalks against a raised platform in a sunlit field near Amritsar, Punjab, with scattered grain on the ground.
Aerial view of two green harvester machines reaping finger millet in a large field near Bangalore, India, with trees and buildings in the distant background.
A woman in a sari sits on the ground sorting and spreading harvested maize cobs on large sheets to dry in the sun on the outskirts of Bangalore, India.
Bowl of ground garam masala surrounded by whole spices including cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, star anise, dried red chilis, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cloves, and seeds.
Chicken biryani in Delhi
Plate with naan flatbreads next to a bowl of Kadai Paneer curry, garnished with cilantro and tomato, with sliced onions and tomatoes on the side.
Three steamed idlis served on a banana leaf with a bowl of coconut chutney garnished with curry leaves and dried red chilies, and a sprig of curry leaves on the side.
Bowl of chicken tikka masala, a creamy orange curry garnished with cilantro and a red chili, surrounded by naan, garlic, cilantro, and a halved lime.
Golden-brown aloo tikki potato patties arranged in a circle on a large flat griddle at an Indian street vendor stand, with spatulas and diced potatoes in the background.
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Key People

Madhur Jaffrey
Madhur Jaffrey
Indian-born actress, chef, and writer