With thousands of Indian restaurants in the United States and new ones opening every month, it’s easy to see why the category is becoming a top alternative for people of all backgrounds. 

Indian food in the West has changed drastically in the last few decades. The new generation of food enthusiasts is excited to try authentic Indian food and is not afraid of trying new things. We can’t say the same about previous generations, who were happy to eat Indian food as long as it was chicken tikka masala.

Indian food, however, still doesn’t represent the flavors of the entire Indian subcontinent. If you know your Indian food, you’ll surely agree that the following dishes would be welcomed in America. According to Indian people living in America posting their cravings on Quora, these are some of the most interesting traditional dishes they want to see more often in the USA. What are yours? 

1. Pakora  

It is not entirely unknown by foreigners, as it is already quite popular, but few Indian restaurants get it just right. Replicating one of India’s most popular fritter snacks is not easy. What all pakora have in common is their crispy, fried texture, but the ingredients vary immensely, from eggplant and cauliflower to paneer and chicken. 

2. Bisi Bhele Baath

This specialty from Karnataka is a colorful mixture of rice, lentils and vegetables with many variations. The name means hot lentil rice, which has the perfect ratio between starchy rice and creamy lentils. This vibrant dish is an entire meal with lots of flavor and nutrition.

3. Ragi Mudde

This unusual-looking southern dish is delightful. Think of a soft millet flour ball boiled until golden and shaped by hand to the size of a tennis ball. Now, serve this with your favorite sambar, curry or chutney and enjoy. Easy to make and incredibly inexpensive. This is one of those comforting meals you should try at least once. 

4. Heerekaay Bajji

A crispy battered and deep-fried snack made with Heerekai or ridge gourd and flavored with chili powder and turmeric. And if you thought ridge gourd wasn’t available in the USA, think again. The fruit is commonly known as luffa acutangula, a popular houseplant that grows in chilly weather. 

5. Ras Malai

Indian desserts are little known in the USA as well. One of our favorites is ras malai, common in Bengal. Think of a balanced combination of chhena cheese and malai clotted cream seasoned with saffron (or cardamom) and sweetened with sugar. The dough is then shaped into balls and flattened. What a delight!

Indian Food Is Larger Than Life

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Indian dishes that have yet to leave their country of origin to be enjoyed by Indian immigrants, Indian descendants and foreigners alike. However, with the rise of regional Indian restaurants, and more Indian chefs in the world’s most prestigious kitchens, we’ll see our favorite food on menus soon. 

Not even people who have lived in India their entire lives can say they know all the country’s specialties, which makes the country’s cuisine unique — Indian food is always a journey and a delicious one indeed. 

 https://www.quora.com/What-great-Indian-foods-are-missing-from-many-Indian-restaurants-in-the-US?share=1