Thali or Bhojanam is a round platter used to serve food in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Thali is also used to refer to an Indian-style meal made up of a selection of various dishes which are served on a platter. The quintessential Indian thali is more like a cultural exploration and makes for a complete meal in itself. India as a country is rich in culture, cuisines, and customs. Each region in the country is unique in its own way. As you move from one region to the other in India, the dishes and spices change rapidly. We are going to share the unique aspect of some best Indian Thali in this post.
1. Maharashtrian Thali
Maharashtrian Thali is a scrumptious mix of veg and non-veg options. However, you can choose what comes with your thali. Rich in flavour and spices, a traditional Maharastrian thali consists of kothimbir vadi (coriander fritters), bhakri roti (millet flatbread), pitla (chickpea flour curry), bhajis, like vangyache bharit (eggplant-based dish), batatyachi bhaji (dry potato sabzi) or matkichi bhaji (sprouted moth beans curry); amti (tangy curry from yellow lentils), mutton kolhapuri(spicy mutton curry), andhra rassa (chicken in white gravy), kosimbir (salad), puran poli (sweet flatbread) and a refreshing glass of yogurt-based drink (mattha).
2. Rajasthani Thali
A traditional Rajasthani thali is an elaborate spread of gourmet preparations that would delight one and all. The local hits on this thali include dal baati churma (round breads with lentils), missi roti (lentil-wheat flatbreads), gatte ki sabzi (gram flour nuggets in gravy), panchmela dal (combination of 5 types of lentils), laal maas (fiery meat curry), bhuna kukda (slow cooked chicken curry), goond ka laddoo (a kind of edible gum sweet), boondi chaas (flavoured buttermilk). To add another delicious level to the meal, there are salads, papads, pickles, and chutneys to choose from.
3. Kathiawadi Thali
Kathiawadi thali is a vegetarian platter that comes from Kathiawar, a peninsula in Gujarat. It is typically spicy along with a tinge of sweetness. The thali includes sev tamatar nu shaak (sweet-spicy tomato gravy), tindora nu shaak (sweet-and-savoury ivy gourd), kathiawadi dhokali nu shaak (wheat flour dumplings in spicy gravy), bharela ringan(stuffed eggplant), rotli (flatbread), bakhri (bread of pearl millet), tikhari (spicy, tangy curry) and vaghareli khichdi (a mixture of rice, lentils and spices). Indispensable components of Kathiawadi thali are buttermilk and kesar shrikhand (saffron-flavoured sweet yogurt).
4. Goan Thali
Goan food is synonymous with sea food and so a Goan thali cannot be complete without some fish preparations and other local favourites. A typical Goan meal would consist of steamed rice, Sheet Kodi Nustea (fish curry), Kismur (salad made with fresh grated coconut and pan fried prawns), Poi (a butterfly-shaped bread), Mackerel Rawa Fry along with Sol Kadi (kokum-coconut milk drink). Some of the thalis may also include the famous Vindaloo Curry, Rice Bhakri, and Goan Banana Halwa.
5. HIMACHALI DHAM THALI
The Himachali dham thali is an assortment of traditional herbs and spices and is incredibly delicious. ‘Dham’ is the traditional festive food of Himachal Pradesh. The food starts from steamed and fried colocasia leaves, boiled raw mango mashed with jaggery and rock salt to lamb in yogurt gravy. It ends with a dessert of sweet caramelized rice, liberally mixed with raisins and dry fruits.
6. Sikkimese Thali
Bursting with flavors, the Sikkimese thali is a foodie’s delight. It includes momos (steamed dumplings), Dalle chili and tomato chutney, thukpa (noodle soup), gundruk (fermented leafy green vegetables), chhurpi ka achaar (yak cheese pickle), ningro curry (fiddle-head curry gravy), sel roti (doughnut shaped bread), shimi ka achaar (string beans and sesame pickle).
7. Kashmiri Thali
The rich, redolent dishes steeped in traditions adorn the heavenly Kashmiri thali. The ultimate ceremonial feast in Kashmir is known as Wazwan and its preparation is a art in itself. This thali includes kebab nadir shahi (lotus stems kebabs), rajma rismise (slow cooked kidney beans), methi chaman (cottage cheese with fenugreek), Kashmiri dum alu (potatoes in a nutty gravy), haak (green leafy vegetables), khatte baingan (spicy and sour brinjal), mutton rogan josh (signature Kashmiri lamb curry), Kashmiri pulao (spicy rice with nuts), al raita (bottle gourd in yoghurt) and doon chetin (apple chutney). The feast ends on a decadent note with phirni, a rose and saffron flavoured rice custard.
8. Bengali Thali
The flavors of a blissful Bengali thali stay with you long after the meal is over. A veritable feast for the fish lover, the Bengali thali includes signature delicacies like the begun bhaja (pan-fried brinjal), patol bhaja (pointed gourd fry), shukto (a bitter-sweet medley of vegetables), shaak (green leafy vegetables), alu bhate (mashed potatoes), chholar dal (lentil curry), bhaat (rice), maach bhaja (fish fry), maachher kalia (fish curry), kosha mangsho (mutton in thick gravy), and payesh (rice pudding).
9. Kerala Thali
Traditional Kerala Thali is flavorsome and filling, complete with generous use of coconut milk, coconut oil, curry leaves and rice. Served on a banana leaf, it comprises of avial (mixed vegetables), puliserry (spiced coconut and yogurt gravy), fish curry, thoran (coconut-based vegetable dish), sambar (lentil-based vegetable stew), papadum, pickle, pachadi (side dish curry of coconut, cucumber and yogurt), rasam (spicy soup) and olan (white gourd in coconut milk). For dessert, there’s ada pradhaman (steamed rice flakes and jaggery pudding) and sharkara varatti(banana chips with jaggery).
10. Punjabi Thali
Punjabis are hardcore foodies, and the Punjabi thali is proof! Known as the ‘Bread Basket of India’, the food of Punjab is lively and bursting with flavors that will keep you hooked. The signature delicacies include pindi chole (spicy chickpea curry), Amritsari aloo kulcha (stuffed flatbread), dal makhani (mixture of black lentils and red kidney beans), pakoda kadhi (fritters in yogurt gravy), jeera rice (blend of rice and cumin seeds), pickles of cauliflower, carrot and turnip, and a sweet lassi (yogurt or buttermilk drink). Other signature dishes include Sarson ka saag (vegetable dish) and rajma chawal (red kidney beans in thick gravy). The non-veg platter includes butter chicken and succulent Amritsari fish. It is, indeed, a wholesome meal that will guarantee foodgasm!