Mouthwatering 15 Indian Thalis
India, the request of diversity, has its food influenced by the region, soil, vegetation, climate, religion, and traditions. Be it the veg or the non-vegetarian thalis, the items placed on these ‘Indian thalis’ (plates) depict the hues of their regions. South has their coastal coconuts and kokum in their food; North East has their food inspired by their neighboring culture; North is in love with butter and milk; East is obsessed with fish; West takes rescue in their age-old maharaja’s dishes, and so on. Even the local spices and herbs used in the traditional thalis talk a lot about the taste and its grandeur.
Here is the list of 16 Mouthwatering Indian Thalis You Must Try!
1. Bhojpuri Thali
Place: Bihar
The culture of Bihar is purely reflected in their traditional Bhojpuri thali. The tangy mix of the subtle with the spicy tastes of the foods energizes the taste buds up to their optimum level. The authentic Bhojpuri thali includes Bharbhara (gram flour and green peas mix), dahi chura (yogurt fattened rice platter), Sattu ka Paratha (stuffed lentil-flour flatbread), Bhari Kadhi (besan preparation with coriander leaves), Litti Chokha (wheat and gram flour balls) and Besan ki Sabzi (vegetable mix with spice). The sweet dishes are equally appealing, be it the Balushahi (sweet) and Gurma (mango sweet curry), ending with a Sattu milkshake.
2. Sikkimese Thali
Place: Sikkim
Sikkim being the only state with a Nepali ethnic majority, often it is seen that there is a great influence of Nepali cuisine on Sikkim cuisine. The Sikkimese thali is mouth-savouring, though. This Indian thali includes Dal Bhat (steamed rice with cooked lentils), Dhindo (wheat pudding), Thukpa (noodle soup with little spices), Momo, Phagshapa (pork stew with fresh radishes and chilies), Sha Phaley(stuffed bread with well-seasoned beef and cabbage), Kauri (vegetable soup), Butter Beans, Ningro Curry (fiddlehead curry), Gundruk(fermented green vegetables) and Sinki (fermented radish tap root) along with Sel Roti (doughnut-shaped bread). Achar or pickle is planted like tomato pickles, sesame pickles, radish pickles, pudina pickles, and so on.
3. Kerala Aharam
Place: Kerala
With Kerala being the rich trader of spice for years and coconuts growing in plenty on the coast, Kerala Thali has both in abundance. Served in a plaintiff leaf, there is a pickle, pachadi (curry of coconut, cucumber, and yogurt), tomato rasam (spicy soup), Panch Kari Sambar (lentil-based vegetable stew), Parippu curry with rice, fish curry, Avial (gravy-or semi-solid vegetable dish), Olan (gourd and coconut milk recipe), Mampalam Pulissery (cucumber in buttermilk gravy). To conclude the meal, there is papadum, payasam, curd, and sharara varatti (crispy banana chips in cane sugar jaggery).
4. Maharashtrian Thali
Place: Maharashtra
This Indian thali is a proper balance of the veg with the non-veg, the spices with the herbs. Any Maharashtrian authentic traditional thali is scrumptious. There is flavored rice, millet flat bread or Bhakri roti, Bharli Vangi (stuffed brinjal preparation), pickle, Koshimbir (Maharashtrian salad), Sabudana Vada, Kanda Poha, Pitla (flour curry) with Thecha (spicy and tangy green chili chutney), Amti (lentil preparation). Chicken and fish preparations are in plenty. Mutton Kolhapuri (mutton curry), Andra Rassa (chicken with white gravy) and more. The thali is certainly not over without dessert; there is Kheer (rice pudding), Aamras, and the famous Poran Poli, a sweet flatbread.
5. Goan Thali
Place: Goa
Goa itself is a place of surprise and serenity; the Goan Thali is an absolute delight for food lovers. With plentiful fish, coconut, and kokum (an evergreen tropical fruit), this thali is surely unforgettable. There is plain rice, Kismur (coconut salad with fried prawns in spices), Uman Kodi and Caldin Kodi (forms of curry with spices), Sukhem (dry dish, cooked often with oysters in Goan Sambar powder), fried fish, pickle, vegetable vindaloo and tangy-sweet Sol Kaddi (coconut milk with kokum juice and coriander). To complete it, there is Matka Kulfi, Serradurra, and Goan Banana Halwa.
6. Gujarati Thali
Place: Gujrat
Also known as Kathiawadi Thali, this Indian thali is mostly characterized by vegetables tossed in spices with a subtle inherent taste. There is rice, Ritli (flatbread), Shaak (leafy vegetable mix curry), Rigna Palaak nu Shaak (spinach and brinjal mix curry), Methi thepla (flatbread with methi flavor), Tekhari (spicy curry), Gajar Mirch Sambhar (carrot, capsicum and chili pickle), Kadhi Khichdi, Dal Dhokli (dhokla in lentils), fafda, papri, and sev mamra. Any Kathiawadi thali is incomplete without Chaas or buttermilk, along with Kesar Shrikhand (sweet yogurt with saffron) and Aamras (mango pulp or juice).
7. Bengali Thali
Place: West Bengal
Bengalees and food are inseparable. The variations in the culinary mix with the sweet, tangy, and spicy lingering taste will make anyone droll for long. It starts with plain rice, Mishti Pulao (sweet flavored rice with cashews and nuts), five types of fried vegetables – Potol Bhaja (pointed-gourd fry), Alu Bhaja (potato chips), Kumro Bhaja (pumpkin fry), Begun Bhaja (fried brinjal) and Ucche Bhaja (bitter gourd fry), Shaak (leafy vegetable mix), Shukto (bitter-sweet flavored vegetable mix), Aloo-Posto (potato-poppy curry), Daal (pulses soup) and mixed vegetables. Apart from that, there are many preparations in non-veg, like Maach Bhaja (fish fry), Macher Jhol (fish curry), Mutton Kosha (mutton thick gravy), Chicken Curry, and so on. Sweet dishes are uncountable; the best amongst them are the mouth-melting Rosogolla, Payesh (rice pudding), and chutney.
8. Rajasthani Thali
Place: Rajasthan
The land of heritage and maharajas, Rajasthan’s thali is as lavish as its culture. This colorful Indian thali is adorned with the ghee-drench round-shaped Bati with Panchkuti Dal and tasty Churma, also known as Dal Bati Churma. Bajra rotis or plain rice with Laal Maas, a red spicy hot dish served together, and Ker Sangri, a pickle. Mohan Maas is a palatable meat dish with the flavor of Khus Khus and a juicy texture in the mouth. Gatte ki Khichdi with besan dumplings, Shahi Gatte or Masala gatte, Boondi Raita, along with sweet dishes. Rajasthani sweet words like the crispy and sugar-drenched Balushahi, ghee-paneer-sugar admixed Ghevar, and the Mohanthal or Besan ke Ladoo with rich flavored buttermilk or Boondi Chaas along with papad.
9. Kannadi Oota
Place: Karnataka
Also known as Karnataka Thali, it is a platter of flavors bursting in the mouth for a kickstart. Often found similarities with dishes from southern India; traditionally, Karnataka Thali is served in a banana leaf. Bisi Bele Bath, a rice dish with flavors of spice, Avalakki (flat parboiled rice) often accompanied with Majjige (veggies in buttermilk thick gravy), Jolada Rotti, Thovve (cooked dal) Ragi Mudde (a preparation with finger millet and water) with Upsaaru (sambar with vegetables, grams, water, and salt), Tanaka (chili flavored garlic chutney), pickle, south Indian salad, plain rice, and ghee. Sweet dishes include payasam.
10. Alohir Eraj
Place : Assam
Also known as Assamese thali, the traditional authentic Assamese thali is delightful and extraordinary. The unusual and tasty herbs used and the optimal usage of spices in this Indian thali make it most different from other thalis of different states. It includes Khar (banana skin peels powder with lentils and vegetable curry), Masor Tenga (light and tangy fish curry), Narasingh Masor Jhol (river fish like sardine cooked with curry leaves with thin gravy), Koldil Bhaji (banana flower with potatoes mix), Pitika (mashed vegetables mix dish) and also pickle. For sweet words, there are Sanmeholi Chutney (mixed green chutney), Gurer Payesh ( brown sugar rice pudding), and the nationwide famous Pithe (rice cakes).
11. Meitie
Place: Manipur
Also known as Manipuri thali, Manipuri thali is simple and delicious to the heart’s content. The herbs mix righteously with the spices and provide an essence similar to the atmosphere of Manipur. It includes Singju (Manipuri salad), Kangshoi (vegetable stew), Eromba (boiled mix of fish and vegetables), Morok meta (spicy dried green chilies chutney), Paaknam (thick besan cake with hers and spice), Nga Thongba (fish curry), Manikha, Chareng (a fish curry), Chambut, Pakora Thongba, and mustard chutney. Desserts include Chak-Hao Kheer, made of an amalgamation of rice, milk, and cardamom powder with a layer of raisu]ins and nuts spread over.
12. Punjabi Thali
Place: Punjab
The most food enthusiast community in this diverse country, India, is Punjab. The chemistry that Punjabis have with food is enriching and incomparable. A typical Punjabi Thali will burst a thousand flavors in the mouth, with ghee and butter as the quintessential flavor all around. This Indian thali includes Aloo kulcha (boiled and mashed potato stuffing with spices in leavened flour bread), Punjabi Chole (chickpeas curry), Paneer Tikka with Dahi Chutney (grilled paneer with curd sauce), Sarson da Saag (mustard, spinach and bathua leaves mix) with Makki di Roti (maize flour bread), Phulkas (wheat flour bread), Palak Paneer (spinach curry with paneer), Dal makhani (black lentil, kidney beans with cream and butter curry), Kadhi Chawal (yogurt curry with rice), Rajma Chawal (kidney beans with rice), Tandoori Chicken (grilled chicken dish), Butter Chicken, Malai chicken (cream chicken)and whatnot. The famous Lassi (yogurt-based drink) and Kada Prasad (wheat flour sweet halwa) are also there to accompany them till the end.
13. Kashmiri Thali
Place: Kashmir
The enigma that Kashmir upholds is not just confined to the eyes, but also the beauty is spread in this paradise. The Kashmiri Thali is a healthy thali with all the freshness as that of Kashmir. It includes Kashmiri Pulao, Khatte Baingan (tangy brinjal ), Rajma Rasmisa (kidney beans curry), Haat (leafy green vegetable), Roti (flatbread), Nadru Kebab (lotus stem fry with spices), Goshtaba (minced meat with yogurt and spices), Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Methi Chaman (radish raita), kebab, Mutton or Lamb Rogan Josh (aromatic and flavored meat curry), Yakhni (meat stock cocked and boiled in yogurt), Al Raita ( gourd mixed with yogurt) along with pickles and fitters. For the sweet dishes, there is Phirni (sweet rice powdered pudding with nuts and flavors of rose and saffron) and Shufta (dry fruits in sugar syrup).
14. Oriya thali
Place: Odisha
Although it may not be very popular amongst tourists, Oriya thali from Odisha is one of the most healthy thali preparations in India. There is subtleness in the entire taste of the delicacy. In this Indian thali, there are phakala (rice in fermented curd), roti (flatbread), steamed rice, Khichdi (a mix of rice and lentils), Aloo Posto (potato with poppy curry), Baingan Chakta (brinjal mash), Dalma (lentil dish), Santula (vegetable dish), Chatu rai (mushroom curry), Kadali manja rai (banana stem preparation), Maccha Chadchadi (thick fish curry) and many more. Sweet dishes include the ‘controversial’ Rosogolla, Chakuli Pitha (pancake of rice), Kanika (sweet rice dish), and Ou Khatta (fruit chutney).
15. Pahari Thali
Place: Himachal Pradesh
Also known as the Himachali Dham thali, Himachal is the land of peace and serenity. The cuisines of this place depict the same as well. The traditional Himachali Dham Thali, which has its 1000-year-old history, has lavish items to savor. Smoked cooking with no onions and garlic is a specialty of this region. It includes Patore (colocasia leaf fry), Rajma Madra (kidney beans curry), Aktori (buckwheat leaves pancake), Trout fish (fish curry), Kaale Channe ka Khatta (lentil served with rice), Mathri Choware (lentils and spinach mix), Khatta Murg (tangy chicken curry), and Chaa Gosht (lamb in thick yogurt gravy). The sweet dish includes Mittha, a rice dessert well decorated with raisins, fruits, and nuts.
16. Andhra Thali
Place: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Andhra Thali menu has dry vegetables and gravies like Bangala dumpa vepudu (spiced potato cubes with mustard and curry leaves tempering), Aratikaya avapetti kura (Raw banana dry curry), Mudda pappu (Plain Dal), Dondakaya Vepudu ( spicy Ivy gourd), Kakara kaya Vepudu (sauteed bitter gourd), Munakkaya masala kura (drumstick curry), Charu (tomato Rasam), Mukkala pulusu (curry with Tamarind base). Dishes made with rice are plain rice and Nimmakaya Pulihora (lemon rice). Snacks like Garelu and lentil cake in the shape of Medu vada. Supplemented with coconut chutney, ghee, Sabudana papad, curd, and pickle. Desserts like Payasam and Sweet Poli.