Ordering Indian dishes for birthday parties makes sense. What better way to celebrate life than one of the most flavorful cuisines. From family dinners to a get-together with acquaintances, the best Indian food in NYC adds life to the party.
When ordering Indian food, it’s best to go for the most popular options that people are familiar with. You also want to ask about dietary restrictions that some of your guests may follow.
Here are some popular Indian dishes that you ought to order for the party:
Appetizer/Snack
Snacks and appetizers are a great way to keep early guests busy while the rest arrive. Here are some light snacks you can start the day with:
- Samosa
Samosa is the most popular Indian snack and we can see why. The three-sided pyramid-shaped snack comes stuffed with mashed potatoes wrapped with a crispy flour batter. Peas and cumin are added for taste. Tamarind sauce is a must to truly enjoy it.
- Samosa Chaat
This rich snack consists of mashes samosas dipped in yogurt and chickpeas. A spicy coriander sauce and tangy tamarind sauce is drizzled over it.
- Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka consists of cottage cheese marinated with tandoori spices and yogurt before being grilled in a tandoor. It’s usually grilled with onions and bell peppers.
- Malai Kabab
Malai kebabs are perfect when everyone on your guest list loves meat. These kebabs are made with boneless chicken cubes marinated with yogurt and spices for a light taste. The cubes are then grilled in a tandoor (clay oven) giving it a light smoky taste.
Entree
Below are some popular Indian dishes that some of your guests might look forward to. You may need to order rice or flatbread on the side with some of them:
- Tandoori Chicken
It’s kinda like roasted chicken making it a great dish for people unused to Indian cuisine. The whole chicken is marinated with yogurt and tandoori spices before being cooked in an oven.
- Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is the first thing that comes to many people’s minds when thinking of Indian food. It’s essentially tandoori chicken cooked with a creamy orange gravy.
- Chicken Tikka Masala
If you prefer boneless chicken, then you might enjoy chicken tikka masala, the boneless version of butter chicken. You can also get the dry version simply called chicken tikka.
- Palak Paneer
Palak paneer is a popular vegetarian dish made with cottage cheese cubes dipped in a spicy green spinach gravy.
- Chholey
Chholey is another veg dish that your friends might appreciate. It’s made with chickpeas, onions, and assorted spices.
Dessert
No celebration is complete without sweets, especially if you are expecting children to join the party. Here are some of the sweetest dishes you can end your birthday meal with:
- Gulab Jamun
These sweet dumplings are light on the stomach but drench the tongue with pure sweetness. The dumplings are made with milk solids and cooked in a sweet syrup that some would drink.
- Kulfi Falooda
If you prefer ending a warm meal with something cold, then kulfi falooda is it. The dessert consists of kulfi (an Indian ice cream), vermicelli, sweet basil seeds, and rose syrup.
- Kheer
This simple porridge is made with rice boiled with milk and sugar. Vermicelli may be used instead of rice to prepare the sweet dish.
Drinks
Here are some Indian refreshments to quench your thirst:
- Chai
It’s a tea made with black tea leaves, milk, and sugar. Ginger and cardamoms are also added to the warm drink. It’s a great way to refresh everyone\'s minds.
- Lassi
Lassi is a yogurt-based drink that can be salty or sweet depending on the ingredients.
- Masala Soda
Many prefer having soda after a heavy meal to digest it. Masala soda is a simple drink made with soda, salt, and chaat masala.
These are just some options you usually get from an NYC Indian delivery service. If you’re expecting guests who follow some dietary restrictions, ask the restaurant about options to cater to them.