help -- never had indian food -- any suggestions for a first timer so i dont waste my money?

Answer 1

Stick to the humus, and ask the server, if there is lower spice foods, sometimes Inidan cooks can get carried away with the curry.

Answer 2

I recently tried Indian food for the first time and here are a few of the things that I tried and liked. Pakoras are a good starter, they are vegetable fritters typically served as appetizers. Chicken Curry is also very good but make sure you put it over rice (and the rice is wonderful on it's own). Most places serve Nan (leavened bread) with your dinner, that's also good. If your looking for something a little milder try Tandoori Chicken, or if your looking for some spice try the Chicken Chilly (definitely has to be over rice). I hope this helps, and when in doubt ask the waiter/waitress.

Answer 3

My wife and I enjoy Butter Chicken (flavorful, sometime slightly sweet curry-type dish), Palak Paneer (spinich and cheese puree, which sounds nasty but really tastes good), Tandori Chicken (marinated chicken baked in a tandori, which is an Indian oven), and Garlic Nan (Indian flatbread with fresh minced garlic, baked in a tandori). Get a Banana or Mango Lassi (yogurt-type drink).

If you don't like spicy hot flavors, stay away from the Vindaloo and some of the other curry-type dishes. (If you're not sure, ask your waiter or waitress.)

A lunch buffet will sometimes have all these dishes and more and usually pretty cheap. It's a good place to start to figure out what you might like or dislike without spending a lot of money.

Answer 4

Tandori is a classic indian way of baking foods (chicken, lamb, etc) to seal in the flavor. It will remind you of foods that have been marinated all night. You can request mild or medium if you aren't a spicy food person.
If you like tomato base, then you will like masala foods, like Chicken masala, chana masala, etc. This is usually a bit spicy so request it to be made mild if you don't like spicy.
Padadum is a crisp lentil wafer served as an appetizer which I like. Naan is a soft bread that will remind you of pita and is excellent with the meal.

Answer 5

Make sure you tell your server that this is the first time you've had it...and tell them how spicy you like it...I LOVE Chicken Tikka Masala...otherwise known as Murg Tikka Masala....it is chunks of white meat chicken in creamy tomato sauce with indian spices also Samosas are fabulous...they are pastry filled with potatoes, peas and indian spices!!! MMMM Get an assorted appetizer so you can try all different types of flavors.

Answer 6

Indian Food is wonderful and varied. I suggest you go to an all you can eat buffett lunch place with a friend and sample all the dishes you can. you will quickly find what you like. Very poplular is Chicken Masala or butter chicken if you cannot find a buffett...

Answer 7

Never met anybody who didn't like butter chicken/chicken tikka masala.

You could also try Bhel Puri or Papri Chat. They are indian snacks served with chutney - a little hard to describe, but there is nothing crazy in there and they are absolutely awesome!

Answer 8

When I first had Indian food, I was in London, and I had chicken korma- it's very mild- as some Indian food can be rather spicy.

Answer 9

indian cuisine always has a flavour of spices which makes it even more delicious, since you are trying Indian food for the first time i would suggest you to have a Chicken/ mutton biryani . its just mouthwatering

Answer 10

Wish I could help you out honey, but we are in the same boat. I have never tasted Indian food either.

I'll say if you do go out to just try one, I'll say stick to the rice menu.