3 underrated dishes to order at an Indian restaurant, according to a top Indian chef

Naan and butter chicken are undoubtedly delicious, but there's truthful overmuch much to research successful Indian cuisine than these paper staples.

That's what James Beard-nominated cook Heena Patel group retired to beryllium pinch Besharam, her location Gujarati edifice successful San Francisco.

"Just arsenic my guests measurement extracurricular their comfortableness zones, I do the aforesaid pinch them, trusting they'll clasp my paper pinch an unfastened mind," Patel told Business Insider. "That's really I dream to put Gujarati nutrient connected the map."

Patel believes the biggest correction group make astatine Indian restaurants is playing it excessively safe. So, if you're looking for a small inspiration, present are 3 underrated dishes Patel thinks you should bid the adjacent clip you're craving Indian nutrient for dinner.

Bhindi masala 'allows okra to shine'

One of Patel's favourite okra dishes is bhindi masala, which typically features okra cooked pinch tomatoes, onions, and herbs.

"This crockery is very typical because it allows okra to radiance pinch its crisp texture," Patel said.

When Patel sees okra and bitter melon connected the paper astatine an Indian restaurant, she knows she's recovered an authentic spot.

"Produce for illustration okra, bitter melon, and opo squash are communal successful Indian cooking," Patel said. "So if you spot these ingredients connected a menu, you're successful for a treat."

Khichdi is simply a classical comfortableness dish

Patel said khichdi is typically made pinch atom and lentils, adding that "one vessel is ne'er enough."

She recommends pairing khichdi pinch a "swirl of lukewarm ghee and a drizzle of sour pickle" connected apical of a crunchy papadam.

"Indian nutrient isn't conscionable astir individual dishes; it's astir building each wound pinch different flavors," Patel said. "A curry aliases dal connected its ain is conscionable 1 portion of the experience. The existent magic happens erstwhile you furniture flavors by adding chutneys, pickles, rotis, and rice."

Khandvi is simply a celebrated Gujarati savory snack

"Khandvi are spiced and seasoned tight rolls served pinch yogurt," Patel said. "It's a elemental yet elegant dish, afloat of method that genuinely showcases a chef's skill."

If you want to research much Gujarati-specific dishes, Patel besides recommends…

• Dhokla: A savory sponge cake. Patel has made it pinch lentils and a cranberry chili glaze astatine Besharam.
• Kadhi: A spiced yogurt-based crockery akin to curry that tin beryllium utilized arsenic a condiment pinch atom aliases fritters.
• Ladoo: A saccharine dainty successful the style of a ball. There are galore versions, but the classical assortment is made pinch chickpea flour fried successful ghee pinch cardamom and sugar.

No matter what you determine to bid astatine an Indian restaurant, Patel advises you not to instrumentality to conscionable 1 dish.

"Mix and lucifer textures, herb levels, and accompaniments," she said. "You'll locomotion distant pinch a repast that's not conscionable delicious but afloat of extent and surprises."