Are Indian food too spicy for global consumers?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
India
January 17, 2025 9:52am CST
I had the opportunity to take about Indian food with a colleague from Germany and then our own Snowy. It seems most people are relevant to try Indian food. They perceive (Not our Snowy ) all Indian dishes are too hot and spicy, which is a total misconception.
Indian cuisine greatly varies by region. And yes, Indian food is known for rich use of spices but most spices are used for getting a specific flavour rather than spiciness. There are dishes which are non-spicy or mild. In fact, most Indian restaurants I visited in US had adapted the spice levels to mild and was never too intense.
Although it is individual preference, spice tolerance can also be built over time. So, try a few Indian dishes such as Chicken Tikka Masala which is usually mild in spiciness. And if you are ready with a gallon of water, there are few Indian spicy foods that we too feel daring to try without a glass of water.
5 people like this
7 responses
@AmbiePam (96337)
• United States
17 Jan
I like several Indian dishes, but sometimes the food is too heavy for me. Not just Indian food though; several types. I’m also not much into cumin or turmeric, unfortunately. I did have chicken tikka masala the other day, and it was delicious.
3 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
18 Jan
Indian dishes are typically heavy and we are known to use lot of turmeric (it seems to have health benefits) in our food. But I guess American version of these foods use very mild spices or none at all. Glad you liked Chicken Tikka masala. Thanks for the support!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47450)
• India
23 Jan
@AmbiePam
To counter heaviness, Many Indian dishes use Ginger, Asafoetida (Hing), Chillies (in moderation) and black pepper.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
18 Jan
Most times ,we Indians love our dishes , even if it is from a different state or region. Thanks for sharing!
2 people like this
@coolimrose (621)
• New Zealand
29 Jan
I love spicy food, but my husband cannot stand spice, and it gets challenging to cater to his taste daily. When we moved to New Zealand, the butter chicken there was so sweet that we went absolutely crazy over it. Most restaurants cater to all spice levels, so if you cannot stand spicy food, inform the waiter accordingly.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
29 Jan
Well, thats interesting. Never interacted with anyone who is in/moved to New Zealand. Thanks for sharing!
@snowy22315 (186009)
• United States
17 Jan
I didn't say all Indian food is too hot and spicy. I have had Palak Paneer in Indian restaurants which is not very spicy and I know other dishes aren't either. However, some of this might have to do with the restaurants catering to "American" tastes.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
18 Jan
I love Palak Panner . It is a good example of non-spicy Indian curry. You never mentioned that all Indian food are hot and spicy. My bad for causing that misunderstanding. I did edit the discussion, so that it is sorted. Apologies for causing any misunderstanding!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47450)
• India
18 Jan
@snowy22315
Palak Paneer in US or UK is customized. In UK, it is often served in slight sweet taste.
It is not as spicy as we get in most of the standard Indian Restaurants.
However, there could be some new age Indian Restaurants even in US which might be serving spicier food on demand.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47450)
• India
18 Jan
In general, Indian dishes are quite spicier for folks especially from those outside of South Asia.
Even the Traditional Chinese is less spicier than the fusion Sino-Ludhianvi(The normal "Chinese" Food we have in India - term coined by Vir Sanghvi).
Once a US person in our company was telling during a Big Communication Meeting.
He went to eat at a Restaurant in Hyderabad. He was asked if he wanted less spicy or more.
He said that he is from Texas and eats "Spicy" food.
So he was offered spicy food and he had to drink tonnes of water to be able to eat that food and was in a great difficulty.
So most foreigners especially Americans and Europeans are better off avoiding food from standard Dhabas and Restaurants.
Restaurants like Yellow Chilli, Barbeque Nation and Restro Bars serve milder flavors and better off.
And yes, spiciness in Indian Food varies from region to region.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47450)
• India
23 Jan
@RevivedWarrior
Even some restaurants make milder food on demand.
Plus I have seen dhabas in parts of Himachal Pradesh making milder yet tasty food.
May be their culinary is like that !!
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
19 Jan
Well , the Indian spicy level is the ultimate level. Sorry for the experience of the US person from yoru company. But , then these days , there are more restaurants like Brbeque NAtion which do serve milder flavours in India. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (7245)
• Philippines
17 Jan
I haven't eaten a very spicy indian food, but I have ate food with lots of onions in pizza and other food.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
18 Jan
Well, Indian food which are spicy are not exactly good for non-spicy lovers . Would never recommend it for beginners. Well, glad you liked the ones which are nn-spicy or mild.Thanks for sharing!
@xFiacre (13244)
• Ireland
17 Jan
@Revivedwarrior Indian food is wonderful - the more spicy the better. I like fish xacuti from Goa, but all Indian food is good.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
18 Jan
Wow, glad to meet a spicy food lover from Ireland. Goan fish cuisines are wonderful to have. Thanks for sharing!
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