Indian Food: Staples, Taboos, and Regional Dishes You Need to Know

When you think of Indian food, a diverse, regionally varied culinary tradition rooted in centuries of history, religion, and climate. Also known as Indian cuisine, it’s not just about spices—it’s about what people avoid, what they eat daily, and how food ties into identity. Rice and wheat aren’t just ingredients; they’re the backbone of meals from Kerala to Punjab. Over 70% of households in India rely on one or both as their main staple, forming the base for everything from biryani to roti. This isn’t just tradition—it’s survival, shaped by soil, seasons, and centuries of practice.

But Indian food isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s also about what’s left off. Food taboos in India, religious and cultural rules that dictate what can or cannot be eaten. Also known as dietary customs in India, they vary wildly: some Hindus avoid beef, many Jains skip root vegetables, and Muslims follow halal rules. These aren’t arbitrary restrictions—they’re deeply tied to faith, caste, and community. Skip them, and you risk offending more than just taste buds. Then there’s the potato, the most widely used vegetable in Indian kitchens, found in curries, snacks, and street food. Also known as Indian potato dishes, it’s cheaper than rice in many areas and survives storage better than most veggies. From aloo paratha to samosas, it’s the quiet hero that no one talks about—but everyone eats. And then there’s chicken in India, a protein that’s everywhere, but prepared differently depending on religion, region, and ritual. Also known as halal vs jhatka chicken, it’s not just about taste—it’s about how the animal was slaughtered, who approved it, and where you’re eating it. FSSAI guidelines ensure safety, but culture decides flavor.

What you’ll find in these posts isn’t a list of recipes—it’s a map of real life. Why does a single vegetable dominate from Delhi to Chennai? Why do some communities refuse to eat chicken on certain days? What happens when a Hindu family shares a meal with a Muslim neighbor? These aren’t abstract questions—they’re daily realities shaped by history, faith, and hunger. You’ll learn what’s on every plate, what’s off-limits, and how to eat like a local—not a tourist. This isn’t about exoticism. It’s about understanding the quiet rules that make Indian food so powerful, so personal, and so deeply human.