India is an epic country with a vibrant culture, diverse geography, fascinating heritage, and soothing weather. It offers varieties of delicious cuisines that each one of us loves to relish. Different parts of the country have a diversified food culture that follows unique food habits like the people from Bengal love to eat fish in their every meal, Punjab is addicted to ghee, and the people from Gujarat like to have sweets in their every dish. All these experiments and practices of food in Indian states pampers our taste buds and create an epic place in our hearts.
For Indians, food is an emotion. Whatever our mood is, good food can heal. We embrace food and its enormous world that is deep and full of varieties. Indian food culture has everything: traditional cuisine, Chinese blend, Mughlai introduction, Awadhi dishes, continental food and much more. We have nutritious foods too, junk food and combinations of both. By exploring Indian food habits, one can know the culture of different Indian states & UTs.
Major Indian States/UTs and Their Food Habits
Food habits are widely influenced by the weather of that place, geography, culture, religious value, easy availability of food ingredients and more. These food habits develop the culinary culture of a certain area, state, and UT. You can observe different food related habits in people coming out from different locations.
Kerala- Uses of Seafood
The southwestern state of India, Kerala, has both sea water and rich agricultural land. You can enjoy both kinds of food here, including veg and non-veg. In the land of Kerala, you can observe food habits that include seafood in dishes, coconut, rice etc. In addition, as veggies, cash crops like bitter gourd, plantains, tapioca, taro and elephant foot yam grow in Kerala, that you can find in different delicious cuisines of the state. To taste and observe these food habits of Kerala, don’t forget to try Keralites’ food on train while travelling to the southern state.
Rajasthan- Dessert with Every Meal
The royal state of India in the northern part is known for its long-lasting food. Here cooking practices include less use of water and fresh veggies. During serving the dishes, dessert takes a special place and represents the food habits of Rajasthan. Almost every meal is served with desserts in the state. Malpua, Rasgulla, Gheriya, and Balusahi are some famous Rajasthani sweets. Moreover, snacks like Bikaneri Bhujiya and Pyaaj Kachori are served with tea. In Rajasthan, Veg foods get more priority. Although, Non-veg foods prepared with red meat are also famous.
Punjab- Uses of Butter
Punjabis love the use of butter in their food. Mughlai food items influence most Punjabi cuisines. Paneer Butter Masala, Butter Naan, Sarson ka saag, and Makki di roti are well-known Punjabi dishes. Besides this, Lassi after meals is one of the Punjab’s favourite parts of food habits. The state produces wheat, rice and dairy products. You can observe these food ingredients in almost every Punjabi meal.
Assam- Non-Spicy Food
South-eastern state, Assam is known for its untouched natural beauty and culture. Here, you can find authentic Indian dishes and food influenced by neighbouring countries like China, Nepal etc. The food habits of Assam prefer non-spicy dishes. Additionally, Assamese food culture embraces rice and fish curry as staple food items. You can also find lentils, vegetables, meat and sweet dishes with the states’ meals.
Maharashtra- Pao Dishes
Food habits of Maharashtra mainly include pav dishes like Vada pav, Pav Bhaji, Misal Pav and more. These dishes are usually served with spicy chutney and green mirch. People in the morning like to have the well-known fast food Vada pav for breakfast. It is a popular street food in Mumbai. Although, Vada Pav or Pav dishes are not only in Maharashtra. There are various delicious Marathi delicacies like Puran Poli, Modak, and Shrikhand, present in the state, you must try.
Andhra Pradesh- Spicy Food
The food habits of Andhra Pradesh follow both vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism. The state’s coastal area offers delicious seafood, including prawns and fish, and the inland part serves traditional vegetarian Andhra cuisines on banana leaves like Pulihora Poppadoms, Pesaratu, Sambar, Rasam, Payasam etc. The taste of this state’s food is loaded with spices. You must experience it while travelling to Andhra Pradesh or passing by it during your train journey. E-catering services will help you to get delectable Andhra food on train.
Tamil Nadu- Traditional Culinary Culture
Southern state Tamil Nadu is known for its varieties of dishes and distinct food culture. Here, you can observe traditional culinary methods to cook, serve, and eat food. People here usually sit on earth with all their family members for food, and the dishes get served on a banana leaf. They also follow healthy food habits like washing hands before eating and cooking food. Moreover, since the state is good in the production of coconut, you may see its influence on the food habits of Tamil Nadu, like serving coconut chutney with Dosa, Idly etc.
Gujarat- Delicious Vegetarian Delicacies
You must have seen the portrait of the good habits of Gujarat in Indian TV serials and Bollywood Cinema. It pictures Gujarat as a state of foodies. Phapada, Jalebi, and Dhokla are synonymous of Gujarat food habits. Well! The state is a foodie and typically serves vegetarian food, but the food is not limited to Dhokla or Jalebi. The Gujarati cuisines are beyond it. Amdavadi pulao, sev tameta, and Undhiyo are some of the must-try Gujarati foods.
Himachal Pradesh- An Array of Food Varieties
Himachal Pradesh is a state nestled in the mountains. It has rich culture, language, tradition, art and an array of food varieties with mouth-watering flavours and aromas. Interestingly, fewer vegetables are used as food ingredients in the state during food preparation. A popular sattvik food, ‘Dham’ in Himachal Pradesh, is prepared with only lentils and dairy products. Besides, red meat and white bread have dominated Himachal Pradesh cuisines.
Ladakh- Distinctive Food Culture
Ladakh is a union territory nestled in the area of the Karakoram and westernmost Himalayan mountain ranges. It has distinct food habits from other parts of the country. Its food culture holds the influence of Tibetan food. Momos, thukpa, thenthuk and skyu are some Tibetan food examples. Indulgence in locally produced vegetables like beetroot, potatoes, pumpkins, barley & beans can also be seen in the food habits of Ladakh. Moreover, non-vegetarian food such as yak meat, mutton & chicken is also popular in the winter.
Telangana- Food Full of Flavours
You must have had the world-famous Biryani. Its taste is unmatchable to any dish. You must know the cuisine originated in the capital of the state. Telangana is known for its flavorful food habits. The state uses whole spices, sesame seeds, peanuts, dry coconut, red chillies, asafoetida, etc., in its cooking recipes. Some popular foods include Hyderabadi dum Biryani, GI-tag Haleem, and Pacchi Pulusu. If you want to have Telangana food while travelling by Indian railway, you can order authentic Biryani on train.
Jammu and Kashmir- Paradise of Non-Vegetarians
Known as a heaven of earth, Jammu and Kashmir is a breathtaking place with beautiful sceneries, lush greenery, and mountain peaks in India. The UT is in the northern part of the country, experiencing a temperate climate, a paradise for foodies and travellers. However, the Food habits of Jammu Kashmir are more inclined towards non-vegetarians. Lamb dishes, fish recipes, and mutton are very popular. In addition, UT also offers food items to soothe the taste of vegetarians. It offers delicious Dum Olav, and Lyodur Tschaman for people who prefer vegan and vegetarian diets.
Puducherry- Centre of French Food
The food habits of Puducherry are highly influenced by French culture and tradition. Here you can find varieties of french food, french restaurants, french food habits to serve and eat cuisines and more. Moreover, UT is a beautiful tourist destination. You must visit to enjoy french dishes and the beauty of the location.
Also Read: Visit Pondicherry and Delight Your Taste Buds With French Food
What is a Food Habit? What Do You Mean by It?
Generally, Food habit means how an individual, group, society, state, and nation cook, serves, and eat food. It is a vast area that differs from person to person, group to group, state to state, and nation to nation. These habits also improve and change because of the influence of different groups of people, states, and countries.
Here are some common food habits of India, you must observe.
- Generally, Indians eat with the right hand and consider the left hand unclean.
- Serving salt, curd, salad, and Aachar is common in India with main course dishes.
- Washing hands after and before meals. It is actually one of the healthy food habits.
- North Indian foods include extra butter and spices. Whereas South Indian foods’ primary ingredient is rice.
- Checking days before consuming non-veg food.
- Starting the day with tea or coffee and having dessert with or after a meal.
- Sharing foods to show their care towards their loved ones.
- Taking a walk after having food.
How Can I Observe Different Types of Food Habits?
You can try foods of different states, live amid multiple social groups, and be observant to know the several types of food habits. You can even travel by Indian railways. Since, in train, you can try different types of food and meet several people from various classes, locations, and states. To order food in train, you can use the e-catering service platform RailRestro.
With its train food app or website, you can order food by entering your ticket’s PNR number, selecting your favourite food and placing the order. RailRestro offers varieties of food on train, including Marathi food, Bihari food, Gujarati food, South Indian food, North Indian food, and more.
Which Kinds of Food Habits are Seen on Trains?
On train, people of different religions, classes, and ethnic group travel together. You can see a mixed food culture. You can find people who follow food habits of Jainism, Vegetarianism, Veganism etc. On your train journey, you may also find people who follow some habits that you consider bad food habits, then some that you see as good food habits.
Moreover, you can also see people on trains who get healthy and hygienic food delivery in train or those who buy food from local food stalls. Local rail food usually doesn’t follow the basics of food safety. Hence, ordering food from ecatering services is a healthy food habit to ensure you receive hygienic food in train.