Tasting India: Delicious Foods Kids Will Love

India is often called the land of spices, and it’s easy to see why! From the snowy mountains of the north to the sunny beaches in the south, every region in India has its own favorite dishes, flavors, and cooking styles. Indian food is known for being colorful, tasty, and full of variety.

Let’s take a fun and yummy tour of Indian food!

North Indian Favorites

In northern India, food is often rich and flavorful. One popular type is Mughlai cuisine, which uses creamy sauces, lots of spices, and either vegetables or meat. This food is usually enjoyed with warm Indian bread like naan or tandoori roti, or with white rice.

Another famous food is the parantha. It’s a kind of flatbread made from flour and stuffed with things like mashed potatoes, cauliflower, or spiced meat. People love eating it for breakfast or lunch.

Don’t forget chhole bhature—a yummy mix of spicy chickpeas and big, puffy fried bread. It’s one of the most loved street foods in India!

And of course, there’s biryani, a delicious rice dish cooked with spices and either vegetables or chicken/lamb. It smells amazing and tastes even better!

South Indian Tastes

In southern India, meals are lighter but still full of flavor. Two popular foods are dosa and idli. Dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from rice flour, and idli is a soft rice cake. Both are usually served with sambar, a warm lentil soup, and coconut chutney.

These dishes are healthy, easy to eat, and often enjoyed for breakfast or dinner.

Sweet Treats from India

Indian people love desserts, and there are so many to try!

• Kheer is a creamy pudding made from rice or bread, sweet milk, and nuts.
• Rasgulla are round, spongy balls made from sweetened milk.
• Gulab jamun is another favorite—it’s made by frying small dough balls and soaking them in warm sugary syrup.

These sweets are usually served at festivals, birthdays, and weddings—and kids always look forward to them!

Learning About Indian Culture with Food

Trying Indian food is a great way to learn about the culture. Whether you’re tasting dosa for the first time or enjoying biryani with your family, every dish tells a story about India’s people, history, and traditions.

And if your child is learning Hindi, it’s even more fun to use food as part of their language journey. With Dinolingo, kids can explore the Hindi language through videos, songs, games, flashcards, and more—perfect for ages 2 to 14. Dinolingo’s interactive lessons can be used on the web, iOS, or Android, and one subscription supports up to 6 users, making it fun for the whole family!