Is Indian food like Indian food in America?

phobal · Jan 21st, 2006, 02:11

You're going to be forced to eat a lot more veg Indian food, unless you're staying at the Hyatt every night.

ruins_explorer · Jan 21st, 2006, 02:39

It's definitely better in India. More variety and the ingredients..there's that concept of terroir that you get when you have Indian food in India, especially a regional speciality.

Moreover, as a lactose-intolerant person, I was able to process Indian food in India a lot better, as it contains unpasteurized (raw) milk products....I can't have the pasteurized stuff at home which is used in so many of the dishes.

PeakXV · Jan 21st, 2006, 03:07

Much better dish choice in India, for example I've never found roomali or a good Carrot Halwa back home. Having said that though - favourite restaurant is in Toronto .... and back at home you really don't have to be wondering - "When did they actually kill that chicken?

phobal · Jan 21st, 2006, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

and back at home you really don't have to be wondering - [b]"When did they actually kill that chicken?

Or, where, they killed that chicken.

lotus blossom · Jan 21st, 2006, 03:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobal

Or, where, they killed that chicken.

or how they killed that chicken

PeakXV · Jan 21st, 2006, 03:58

....... or What killed that chicken!

Beep! Beep!

Merchant · Jan 21st, 2006, 04:05

Just be glad your chicken is dead. I hate seeing the things scratching around one minute and then dining on them an hour later . . .

I prefer the American processed boneless chicken breast that seems like a variant of tofu.

phobal · Jan 21st, 2006, 05:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus blossom

or how they killed that chicken

Yeah, IN paragahnj by means of autorickshaw

Lakshmi Bhabi · Jan 21st, 2006, 07:19

A few places in the US come close, but it's never quite the same - the ingredients are never just right. I think most of the trendy US restaurants serve northern/Punjabi foods. In India you have several different cuisines (ok, several was probably an understatement) with specialties and differing tastes in each area. My husband's parents and others in their town don't cook spicy at all, but the relatives in a neighboring town prefer the full-on spicy version. The variety is one of the best things about India...still, when I get home, It doesn't take long til I'm running off to my favorite restaurant on the outskirts of San Diego's very little Little India, Punjabi Tandoor. Don't miss this hidden little Dhaba if you are in the area

Best of luck in Delhi...try one of everything!

Hyderabadi · Jan 21st, 2006, 08:19

The most authentic (Hyderabadi cuisine) restaurant we've found in Atlanta so far is Hyderabad House. Very close to authentic - Biryani, Mirchi-Ka-Salan, Baghara Baingan and Chicken Khorma (we tried this in the buffet) and Double-Ka-Meetha. Even Haleem, though I must request them to call me when they make a fresh batch when we visit next. The owner is from Hyderabad and so is the Chef.

Zaika is another restaurant which is pretty good and relatively cheaper, you place the order at the counter pay up and wait for your name to be called.

When it comes to ingredients like Mutton, here it's Lamb or Goat they definitely do not taste anything like back home.

We live about 80mi south of ATL and a couple of Indian restaurants have opened some months ago in our area. I would say that both these started off with a 'not-so-authentic-but-somewhat-tasty food and have lately gone the Indo-American way, sweetish gravies, bland everything else and as Digital Drifter described it so well 'a muffed attempt at mixing in chilli powder; that ends up making you cough.' when you ask for extra spicy.

Wanderer22 · Jan 21st, 2006, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

....... or What killed that chicken!

Beep! Beep!

A funny story..... Went into a restaurant in Bhubaneshwar for lunch and ordered the chicken masala. A few minutes later I hear the most god awful squawking and ruckus come from the kitchen area.

Then sudden silence.

Lunch took a good hour + before being served at the table, and was certainly fresh although a bit tough. That's something that won't happen outside India.

W22

Nick-H · Jan 21st, 2006, 10:26

Only John has noticed What a strange question this is from someone who gives their location as being in India. Maybe they confused location withe destination; maybe they haven't dared go out the door yet. AmPreneur: where are you?

DD... Looks like you've been taking your investigations of me far too seriously: did you really have to fly to UK and check out my favourite restaurants?

. All those East Ham restaurants are as authentic as their Tamil owners can make them, and as their predominently Tamil customers demand. Except for the prices, Ho Hum.....

Hyderabadi · Jan 21st, 2006, 10:42

Nick, AmPreneur the OP has clarified:

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmPreneur

Oh, sorry. I'm not there yet. I am suppose to move to Delhi by end of February......

I forgot to mention another restaurant we like in ATL, rated amongst the top 50 (?) http://madrassaravanabhavan.net/msbMenu.htm.

Incidentally, owned by a Gujju and the Chef is a Madrasi

.

Hyderabadi · Jan 21st, 2006, 11:05

Oh, it is in the top 50 list of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN
Decatur
2179 Lawrenceville Highway.
404-636-4400.

This destination for great South Indian vegetarian food remains tops in the area. Why? Tangy, soft, crisp-edged dosas, paneer tikka masala, saffron-scented rice and billowy naan, that's why. Nowhere are the dosas this ethereal, the khorma more creamy, the chole more chocked with chickpeas. Eat in if you're in the mood, or get a huge order to go. The waiters have an uncanny ability to take a complicated order (without jotting down a word) with no problem. Lunch buffet and specials: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Dinner: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Sundays. $-$$.

Now, I'm hungry

jyotirmoy · Jan 21st, 2006, 11:07

My encounter with Indian food outside India is mostly in Europe. After a few encounters I have requested my friends whom we visit not to take us ever to an Indian eatery please. The only place where I would go to eat Indian outside India is London but some one else should be paying because the places I love to eat are priced beyond my means.

Jan 21st, 2006, 03:07	#18
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,201	Pros & Cons ....... Much better dish choice in India, for example I've never found roomali or a good Carrot Halwa back home. Having said that though - favourite restaurant is in Toronto .... and back at home you really don't have to be wondering - "When did they actually kill that chicken? __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Jan 21st, 2006, 10:26	#27
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,923	Only John has noticed What a strange question this is from someone who gives their location as being in India. Maybe they confused location withe destination; maybe they haven't dared go out the door yet. AmPreneur: where are you? DD... Looks like you've been taking your investigations of me far too seriously: did you really have to fly to UK and check out my favourite restaurants? . All those East Ham restaurants are as authentic as their Tamil owners can make them, and as their predominently Tamil customers demand. Except for the prices, Ho Hum..... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jan 21st, 2006, 02:11	#16
phobal IM hoser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: canaduh Posts: 519	You're going to be forced to eat a lot more veg Indian food, unless you're staying at the Hyatt every night.

Jan 21st, 2006, 02:39	#17
ruins_explorer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 206	It's definitely better in India. More variety and the ingredients..there's that concept of terroir that you get when you have Indian food in India, especially a regional speciality. Moreover, as a lactose-intolerant person, I was able to process Indian food in India a lot better, as it contains unpasteurized (raw) milk products....I can't have the pasteurized stuff at home which is used in so many of the dishes.

Jan 21st, 2006, 03:58	#21
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,201	....... or What killed that chicken! Beep! Beep!

Jan 21st, 2006, 04:05	#22
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Just be glad your chicken is dead. I hate seeing the things scratching around one minute and then dining on them an hour later . . . I prefer the American processed boneless chicken breast that seems like a variant of tofu.

Jan 21st, 2006, 07:19	#24
Lakshmi Bhabi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 200	A few places in the US come close, but it's never quite the same - the ingredients are never just right. I think most of the trendy US restaurants serve northern/Punjabi foods. In India you have several different cuisines (ok, several was probably an understatement) with specialties and differing tastes in each area. My husband's parents and others in their town don't cook spicy at all, but the relatives in a neighboring town prefer the full-on spicy version. The variety is one of the best things about India...still, when I get home, It doesn't take long til I'm running off to my favorite restaurant on the outskirts of San Diego's very little Little India, Punjabi Tandoor. Don't miss this hidden little Dhaba if you are in the area Best of luck in Delhi...try one of everything!

Jan 21st, 2006, 08:19	#25
Hyderabadi Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: GA,USA. Posts: 1,107	The most authentic (Hyderabadi cuisine) restaurant we've found in Atlanta so far is Hyderabad House. Very close to authentic - Biryani, Mirchi-Ka-Salan, Baghara Baingan and Chicken Khorma (we tried this in the buffet) and Double-Ka-Meetha. Even Haleem, though I must request them to call me when they make a fresh batch when we visit next. The owner is from Hyderabad and so is the Chef. Zaika is another restaurant which is pretty good and relatively cheaper, you place the order at the counter pay up and wait for your name to be called. When it comes to ingredients like Mutton, here it's Lamb or Goat they definitely do not taste anything like back home. We live about 80mi south of ATL and a couple of Indian restaurants have opened some months ago in our area. I would say that both these started off with a 'not-so-authentic-but-somewhat-tasty food and have lately gone the Indo-American way, sweetish gravies, bland everything else and as *Digital Drifter* described it so well *'a muffed attempt at mixing in chilli powder; that ends up making you cough.'* when you ask for extra spicy.

Jan 21st, 2006, 11:05	#29
Hyderabadi Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: GA,USA. Posts: 1,107	Oh, it is in the top 50 list of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN Decatur 2179 Lawrenceville Highway. 404-636-4400. This destination for great South Indian vegetarian food remains tops in the area. Why? Tangy, soft, crisp-edged dosas, paneer tikka masala, saffron-scented rice and billowy naan, that's why. Nowhere are the dosas this ethereal, the khorma more creamy, the chole more chocked with chickpeas. Eat in if you're in the mood, or get a huge order to go. The waiters have an uncanny ability to take a complicated order (without jotting down a word) with no problem. Lunch buffet and specials: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Dinner: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Sundays. $-$$. Now, I'm hungry

Jan 21st, 2006, 11:07	#30
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,622	My encounter with Indian food outside India is mostly in Europe. After a few encounters I have requested my friends whom we visit not to take us ever to an Indian eatery please. The only place where I would go to eat Indian outside India is London but some one else should be paying because the places I love to eat are priced beyond my means.

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