Indian food: The best dishes in each region

<strong>Food journey through India:</strong> There's no such thing as one type of "Indian" cuisine. With 29 states -- each with its own topography and traditions -- the country's food experiences vary based on the landscape, climate, immigration patterns, trade links, rulers and religions.

Food journey through India: There's no such thing as one type of "Indian" cuisine. With 29 states -- each with its own topography and traditions -- the country's food experiences vary based on the landscape, climate, immigration patterns, trade links, rulers and religions.

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<strong>Northern India:</strong> In Northern India, <em>jalebi</em> -- flour batter fried into circles or swirling shapes -- are a popular sweet, especially when paired with condensed milk and topped with spices.

Northern India: In Northern India, jalebi -- flour batter fried into circles or swirling shapes -- are a popular sweet, especially when paired with condensed milk and topped with spices.

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<strong>Northern India: </strong>In<strong> </strong>Jammu and Kashmir, you'll find street snacks like <em>paratha</em> -- flatbread -- around every corner.

Northern India: In Jammu and Kashmir, you'll find street snacks like paratha -- flatbread -- around every corner.

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<strong>Northern India: </strong>The markets of Amritsar, in Punjab, are a great way to explore the local spices, vegetables and street foods.

Northern India: The markets of Amritsar, in Punjab, are a great way to explore the local spices, vegetables and street foods.

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<strong>Northern India: </strong>Saffron, a common spice in Jammu and Kashmir, has been growing in the town of Pampore for hundreds of years.

Northern India: Saffron, a common spice in Jammu and Kashmir, has been growing in the town of Pampore for hundreds of years.

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<strong>Delhi: </strong>In New Delhi, a vendor prepares <em>paneer tikka</em>, a grilled dish made with vegetables and <em>paneer</em> (farmer's cheese).

Delhi: In New Delhi, a vendor prepares paneer tikka, a grilled dish made with vegetables and paneer (farmer's cheese).

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<strong>Delhi:</strong> In Old Delhi, you'll find some of the city's best street foods in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk market.

Delhi: In Old Delhi, you'll find some of the city's best street foods in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk market.

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<strong>Delhi: </strong>Among the abundance of street snacks, look for <em>vazhaipoo vadai</em>, deep-fried fritters made of banana flowers and lentils.

Delhi: Among the abundance of street snacks, look for vazhaipoo vadai, deep-fried fritters made of banana flowers and lentils.

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<strong>Delhi:</strong> Beyond Old Delhi, travelers can explore Tibetan cuisine, such as <em>thukpa</em> (a Himalayan noodle soup), in the northern residential area of Majnu-ka-Tilla -- also known as Little Tibet.

Delhi: Beyond Old Delhi, travelers can explore Tibetan cuisine, such as thukpa (a Himalayan noodle soup), in the northern residential area of Majnu-ka-Tilla -- also known as Little Tibet.

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<strong>Central India:</strong> Professional chef and homestay operator Amit Pamnani, who's based in in Madhya Pradesh, recommends local staples such as <em>sev</em> (a savory crispy fried noodle snack) and <em>dahi vada </em>(lentil dumplings covered in yogurt and chutney), pictured here.

Central India: Professional chef and homestay operator Amit Pamnani, who's based in in Madhya Pradesh, recommends local staples such as sev (a savory crispy fried noodle snack) and dahi vada (lentil dumplings covered in yogurt and chutney), pictured here.

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<strong>Central India: </strong>In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, mutton biryani (made with rice, spices and meat or vegetables) is a common dish at both restaurants and roadside stands.

Central India: In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, mutton biryani (made with rice, spices and meat or vegetables) is a common dish at both restaurants and roadside stands.

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<strong>Western India:</strong> Mumbai, India's financial capital, is known for its vast array of street food. From Persian-influenced Parsi snacks to Goan fish curry, the city's culinary diversity is hard to match.

Western India: Mumbai, India's financial capital, is known for its vast array of street food. From Persian-influenced Parsi snacks to Goan fish curry, the city's culinary diversity is hard to match.

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<strong>Western India:</strong> The street foods of Mumbai offer a peek into the city's diversity. In particular, food experts recommend seeking out <em>misal pav, vada pav</em> and Bombay grilled chutney sandwiches.

Western India: The street foods of Mumbai offer a peek into the city's diversity. In particular, food experts recommend seeking out misal pav, vada pav and Bombay grilled chutney sandwiches.

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<strong>Western India:</strong> In the state of Gujarat, you'll likely encounter a Gujarati <em>thali </em>-- a platter of various dals, <em>kadhi</em> (a sour yogurt curry with vegetable fritters), <em>sabzi</em> (a mixed vegetarian dish), steamed basmati rice and <em>rotli </em>bread.

Western India: In the state of Gujarat, you'll likely encounter a Gujarati thali -- a platter of various dals, kadhi (a sour yogurt curry with vegetable fritters), sabzi (a mixed vegetarian dish), steamed basmati rice and rotli bread.

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<strong>Western India</strong>: Fried samosas, often filled with vegetables and potatoes, are a popular street snack in many cities in India, including Mumbai.

Western India: Fried samosas, often filled with vegetables and potatoes, are a popular street snack in many cities in India, including Mumbai.

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<strong>Eastern India:</strong> In Kolkata, a vendor makes <em>puchka. </em>First, he pokes a small hole in a fried dough ball, then fills it with stuffing, and duns the savory pastry into a tamarind and green mango sauce.

Eastern India: In Kolkata, a vendor makes puchka. First, he pokes a small hole in a fried dough ball, then fills it with stuffing, and duns the savory pastry into a tamarind and green mango sauce.

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<strong>Eastern India: </strong>Kolkata restaurant 6 Ballygunge Place serves a traditional Bengali <em>thali </em>with all the fixings.

Eastern India: Kolkata restaurant 6 Ballygunge Place serves a traditional Bengali thali with all the fixings.

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<strong>Eastern India</strong>: "We can't talk about Bengali food without mentioning sweets," Anubhav Sapra, founder of Delhi Food Walks, tells CNN Travel. He recommends specialties such as <em>rasgulla</em> (dumplings full of paneer and sugary syrup) as one of the most loved regional desserts.

Eastern India: "We can't talk about Bengali food without mentioning sweets," Anubhav Sapra, founder of Delhi Food Walks, tells CNN Travel. He recommends specialties such as rasgulla (dumplings full of paneer and sugary syrup) as one of the most loved regional desserts.

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<strong>Southern India: </strong>Sudip Misra, chef of Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, tells CNN Travel that every traveler should try delicious <em>idli</em> (fluffy rice cakes) when in Southern India.

Southern India: Sudip Misra, chef of Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, tells CNN Travel that every traveler should try delicious idli (fluffy rice cakes) when in Southern India.

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<strong>Southern India: </strong>Though Misra says it's impossible to do the region justice by picking just a few favorites, chicken chettinad (yogurt-marinated chicken curry with coconut) is among the most common dishes.

Southern India: Though Misra says it's impossible to do the region justice by picking just a few favorites, chicken chettinad (yogurt-marinated chicken curry with coconut) is among the most common dishes.

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