How Spicy Is Indian Food? - The Curry Modern Indian Restaurant (2024)

Have you ever ordered an Indian dish at a restaurant and been surprised by how spicy it was? Or, on the flip side, have you been disappointed that an Indian dish wasn’t as spicy as you were expecting? If so, then you’re not alone! There is a lot of confusion about how spicy Indian food actually is. The Curry Modern Indian will clear up some of the misconceptions and give you a better understanding of what to expect when eating Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a spice lover or prefer milder dishes, let’s learn more about the spices used in Indian cooking.

The Curry Modern Indian Restaurant strives to provide fresh and modern Indian Cuisine to its patrons. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or a first-time customer, The Curry is sure to become your new favorite restaurant.

How Spicy is Indian Food Really?

Indian food is often heralded among the spiciest cuisines, but is this really the case? The answer is not so straightforward and actually depends a lot on the dish. While some recipes are very spicy and hot, others are more subtle and savory in flavor. Furthermore, is it necessary to make food spicy to enjoy its flavors? Many Indians may tell you that is not the case – that good Indian cooking is about a balance of aroma, taste, texture, herbs, and spices. So is Indian food always spicy? No – it’s much more complex than that!

How Spicy Is Indian Food? - The Curry Modern Indian Restaurant (1)

Different Types of Spices Used in Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine is known for its variety of flavors and spices, and the list of herbs and seasonings used is vast. From earthy cumin to fragrant cardamom, each spice adds a unique flavor and enhances certain dishes perfectly. Turmeric gives bright yellowish-orange color to curries, while red chili peppers add a spicy kick to your favorite dishes. Mustard seeds, black pepper, and asafoetida or heeng also help lend their signature tastes to quite a few classical preparations like dal tadka or sambhar. Together with fresh ginger and garlic, these spices create magic in the kitchen!

Spice can Vary Depending on a Chef’s Preference

There is no one-size-fits-all answer regarding the spiciness of a dish – it all depends upon the chef’s preference. This is particularly true when it comes to Indian cuisine, where the quality and amount of spices added can vary dramatically. A good chef will use a delicate balance of spices so that each flavor contributes its own unique complexity to the dish while ensuring that none overwhelms. If you want spice in your meal, you’ll need to find a chef whose taste matches yours.

How Spicy Is Indian Food? - The Curry Modern Indian Restaurant (2)

Not a Fan of Spice?

If you’re someone who finds themselves usually reaching for the glass of water after adding just a bit too much spice to your food, then don’t feel like you have to suffer through it. Many restaurants will make your food with less sodium, chilis, or anything else that makes the spice factor so high. You might be surprised by how often restaurants are willing to tailor their dishes to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences – so next time you order something from a restaurant, remember that you can always ask for your food to be made less spicy!

Some Popular Dishes That are Relatively Mild

Indian cuisine is loved worldwide for its vibrant flavors, bold spices, and aromatic ingredients. For those with a milder taste preference, plenty of tasty dishes are available to choose from in the Indian repertoire. Two popular options include chickpea curry and tandoori chicken. Chickpea curry is a vegan-friendly dish that blends cooked chickpeas with onion, garlic, tomato, and flavorful spices like cumin and turmeric. Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, and aromatic garam masala before being slow-cooked in a clay oven known as “tandoor.” Both dishes provide the perfect balance of flavor without overwhelming the palate. Enjoy them as part of an Indian feast or on their own for a satisfying meal.

Don’t be Afraid to Try Something New

If you’re tired of the same old food and are looking to spice up your palate, there’s no better way to go than Indian cuisine! India is a vast country with diverse land masses, climates, and cultures, thus allowing for a variety of flavorful dishes. From succulent curries and juicy kebabs to crunchy samosas, Indian cuisine has something to offer everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions or taste preferences. Whatever the dish, Indian cooking often features freshly ground herbs and spices like cinnamon, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and cardamom that add layers of flavor to traditional recipes. So if you’re seeking something new and exciting to try, don’t be afraid to give Indian food a chance – you’ll definitely enjoy it!

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Experience Quality Indian Dishes Now

The unique flavor combinations and diverse range of spices found in Indian cuisine make it an alluring food choice for a wide variety of palates. You may be hesitant to try a cuisine that is known for being spicy. With knowledge, understanding, and experimentation (plus a little request for chefs to go light on the spices), you can still enjoy all that India has to offer. Whether you’re a fan of spice or just want to explore something new, there are plenty of Indian dishes that are not excessively spicy, such as chickpea curry or tandoori chicken. If you’re looking for quality traditional Indian-style cuisine cooked with locally sourced ingredients and served up hassle-free in the comfort of your own home, then The Curry Modern Indian is your best bet. So why wait? Place an order and experience their amazing flavors today!

If you’re interested in trying Indian food for the first time or looking to find a bold new food experience, The Curry Modern Indian is the place for you. With our wide variety of dishes and passion for bringing quality service, The Curry is sure to become your new favorite place to eat. Contact us or give us a call today to learn more.

How Spicy Is Indian Food? - The Curry Modern Indian Restaurant (2024)

FAQs

How spicy is Indian curry? ›

Curry can be mild or it can pack some serious heat, depending on your personal preference and tolerance for spicy food. Curry is one of the most famous meals in Indian cuisine and never disappoints, especially if you have time and make some homemade.

Which is the hottest curry in Indian restaurant? ›

The Top 5 Spiciest Curries
  • Vindaloo. Well known as one of the spiciest Indian dishes, Vindaloo can be found on most Indian curry house menus, and is Goan in origin with a Portuguese influence. ...
  • Naga Chicken. Naga chicken is made with one of the world's hottest chilli peppers, the naga chilli. ...
  • Jalfrezi. ...
  • Laal Maas. ...
  • Kozhi Curry.

Is Indian food really that spicy? ›

Indian food is often heralded among the spiciest cuisines, but is this really the case? The answer is not so straightforward and actually depends a lot on the dish. While some recipes are very spicy and hot, others are more subtle and savory in flavor.

What to order at an Indian restaurant if you don t like spicy food? ›

The Best Mild Indian Dishes For People Who Don't Like Spicy Food
  • Korma. Korma is probably known best for being a mild Indian dish and it is usually the dish that people turn to when they don't like spice. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Tandoori Chicken. ...
  • Biryani. ...
  • Malai Kofta. ...
  • Ordering these dishes.
Nov 11, 2019

What Indian curry is not spicy? ›

Originating in Northern India and Pakistan, the Korma is traditionally made up of yoghurt, coconut milk and almonds, making it one of the mildest curries available. The thick, creamy sauce has a sweet tang to it from the coconut and almonds, and is most commonly made with chicken and served with rice.

What type of Indian curry is the hottest? ›

However, when they do, the dish in question must be Phaal curry. Phaal is the hottest curry in the world because it is made from Bhut Jolokia, the world's hottest chilli.

How spicy is a tikka masala? ›

The degree of hotness in chicken tikka masala is medium type. But if you have not habit of eating the hot spices then it can become problem for you. Even in Garam Masala which contain the chilli contain too. But if you are going to prepare chicken tikka masala in your home you can avoid the chilli.

Which curry is the mildest? ›

In general, Thai yellow curry is the mildest, Thai red curry is medium-hot and Thai green curry is spicy, although it can sometimes vary depending on what region of Thailand you are in.

What is a good spicy Indian dish? ›

Pork Vindaloo

Traditionally made with pork meat and mixed with heavy usage of vinegar, meat, pork fat, jaggery, different spices and Kashmiri chillies, Pork Vindaloo is one of the hottest and spiciest dishes you'll ever have in Goa.

Which food is more spicy Indian or Chinese? ›

Depends on what region of the countries you're talking about. Szechuan Chinese food uses more hot peppers than any other. The hottest Indian food is apparently in the north-east, and since the hottest dish I've had is chicken vindaloo, which hales from the north-west, I couldn't say.

Is Thai or Indian food spicier? ›

Both curries have their own specialty, so try once in your life. If you have cravings for spicy food, go for Indian food from the best Indian restaurant in Hong Kong. But if you are looking for spiciness as well as sweetness, choose Thai Food to feed your hungry tummy.

What is the best curry to try first? ›

If you have never tasted Thai curry before, the yellow curry is definitely the best dish to start with the bright yellow color is from the turmeric spices and yellow mustard seeds. The yellow curry isn't always the same everywhere. But, you can always guarantee to enjoy a creamy taste created from the coconut milk.

What is the best thing to try at Indian restaurant? ›

Some of the Best Cuisines to Try
  • Butter Chicken. Butter chicken is mouth-watering, delicate chicken cooked in spiced pureed tomatoes and milk cream over a pan. ...
  • Samosas. Samosas are a very famous traditionally made Indian food. ...
  • Matar Paneer. ...
  • Rogan Josh. ...
  • Tandoori Chicken. ...
  • Masala Dosa. ...
  • Hyderabadi Biriyani.

Is mild curry still spicy? ›

There are many different types of curry and all vary in heat. A green curry is the hottest curry. If prepared mild it will still be spicy. Curries like the yellow or masaman will carry less heat if prepared mild.

How to make curry less spicy after cooking? ›

Adding citrus or vinegar provides a tangy flavor that balances the heat. Yogurt or sour cream can cool down the curry. Adding a pinch of sugar or ketchup can counteract the spiciness. Starchy foods like potatoes or rice can absorb heat.

Is Indian curry powder spicy? ›

As you may have figured out, whether a curry powder is spicy depends on the type of curry and the ingredients. You can always make a mild curry powder spicy by adding chiles, like cayenne. In fact, there are even sweet curry powders, like our Vietnamese Sweet Lemon Curry.

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