The size and diversity of India provides a rich tapestry of flavors and these can be conveniently sub divided into regions. These regions vary significantly in the food they serve and the most common regions, which have influenced the spread and popularity of Indian Takeaway food in the west, are Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Kashmiri.

Bengali
Bengali food is renowned for its fish dishes and the Bengal region is rich in rivers, ponds and lakes which provide an extensive selection of freshwater fish which is steamed or braised. Sauces are often mustard based and the amalgamation of the fish with freshly ground mustard paste provides a taste like no other – even in India. Very little of the fish is wasted and the heads are used to add flavor to curries, particularly with cabbage or dal.

Punjabi
This is probably the most well known region of Indian food and the Punjab, a northwestern state in India, is known for such famous dishes as Tandoori Chicken, Naan bread, and Sarson Ka Saag. The typical Punjabi meal includes curried vegetable, yogurt, daal and roti. Rice is not eaten frequently with onion, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and turmeric being preferred. If you visit the Punjab, you will find a number of self-service roadside food stations called Dhabi. These provide much needed sustenance to the travelers of India and the meals are extremely cheap.

Gujarati
These originate in Western India and are primarily vegetarian. “Roti” is a common dish and this is a type of flat bread made from wheat flour. Other popular dishes are “Shaak” – a mix of spices and vegetables which is often stir fried and “Khichdi”, which is a rice and lentil dish. The pickles you find in many Indian restaurants and Indian takeaways originated in the Gujarati regions and because the region is very hot (temperatures above 50 degrees are not uncommon) then lemon, lime and salt are often used to prevent dehydration.

Kashmiri
Most Indian takeaways have a number of Kashmiri dishes on the menu and they are often meat based. The Kashmiri Muslims are very proud of their food traditions and large feasts of various kebabs, rice, and barbecued ribs are eaten accompanied with yogurt, salads and pickles with dips. Perhaps the most famous Indian takeaway dish is Rogan Josh curry and this is one of the most common items found on the takeaway menu.
So the next time you pick up the menu at your local takeaway, try and see if you can spot the regional influences from the foods listed.

• No Cook Takeaway
  96
  longleaze
  Wootton Bassett, South West SN4 8AU
  UK
  
  02-01-2012
• Tastees Restaurant & Takeaway
  177 alfreton road
  NOTTINGHAM, East Midlands NG7 3NW
  UK
  
  08-16-2010
• Adibs
  113 Croydon Road
  Beckenham, London BR3 3RA
  UK
  
  01-16-2010
• Lahore Restaurant
  2-4 Gateforth Street
  , London NW8 8EH
  UK
  
  12-06-2009
• Passage To India
  440 2nd Avenue North
  , SK S7K2C3
  Canada
  
  12-01-2009

• Lahore Restaurant
  2-4 Gateforth Street
  , London NW8 8EH
  UK
  
  

• Lahore Restaurant
  2-4 Gateforth Street
  , London NW8 8EH
  UK
  
  (3783 Hits since 12-06-2009)
• Passage To India
  Bedford Road
  , Barton-le-Clay
  , South East MK45 4LL
  UK
  
  (3627 Hits since 11-29-2009)
• Linton Tandoori
  6-8 Bartlow Road
  , Castle Camps
  , Eastern CB1 6SY
  UK
  
  (3476 Hits since 11-29-2009)
• Heatons Tandoori
  33a Shaw Road
  , North West SK4 4AG
  UK
  
  (3076 Hits since 11-29-2009)
• Indian Takeaway
  Cheetham Hill Road
  , North West M8 9LR
  UK
  
  (3008 Hits since 11-29-2009)