Curious about Indian food? Looking for a great place to enjoy Indian food right here in Sugar Land, TX?
As the owners of an Indian-Chinese restaurant, we’re passionate about Indian food and helping others enjoy these dishes as much as we do. Here are some of the most common questions we receive.
What are some popular Indian foods?
You probably already know about curry and naan, but there’s so much more to Indian food.
For example, there’s the Indian street food chaat, which combines a starchy base like samosas or naan with vegetables, chutney, and chaat masala spices.
There are also dosas, which are fermented lentil and rice flour crepes served with chutney or a South Indian lentil stew known as sambar. Or kathi rolls, which resemble egg rolls, but are made of naan instead and are filled with meats, chilis, and a chutney.
And who wouldn’t enjoy a warm, spicy Rogan Josh made with lamb, spices, and Kashmiri chilis?
There’s even a traditional Indian ice cream called kulfi that’s a little like a popsicle, a little like ice cream, and a little like custard.
Which spices are traditional Indian spices?
Indian cooking largely revolves around the creative use of spices. There are over 40 of them spanning different regions in the country, and some of them aren’t even available in the United States. Nevertheless, you can closely approximate most dishes by focusing on a handful of common ones.
Common spices include:
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Cardamom
- Coriander
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Fenugreek
- Fennel
- Star Anise
- Cloves
Garam masala is a combination of several of these spices. If you have a good garam masala, you can use it to create an outstanding Indian flavor profile regardless of what meats, vegetables, and other ingredients you may have on hand.
What is Indian-Chinese Cuisine like?
You may think we’re being experimental or are attempting to be trendy by serving Indian Chinese dishes. In reality, Chinese food is one of India’s favorite cuisines and enjoys a long tradition dating back to the city of Kolkata in the late 1700s, which saw a large influx of Chinese immigrants moving into India. Many of those immigrants made their way by selling street food, then went on to open restaurants.
Eventually, they combined Indian flavors with traditional Chinese ones like soy sauce, vinegar, and dry red chilies. Plus, there was some overlap between the favored spices of both cultures, to begin with.
Many of our dishes, such as Szechwan Shrimp or Gobi Manchurian, could easily be found in Kolkata.
Want to try it for yourself?
If you’re in Sugar Land, TX and looking for a remarkable dining experience that perfectly blends the flavors of Indian and Chinese cuisines, look no further than Alings Chinese Bistro. Our restaurant specializes in serving mouthwatering Indian-Chinese dishes that will take your taste buds on a delightful journey. From delectable Gobi Manchurian to flavorful Szechwan Shrimp, our menu offers a wide range of irresistible options. Contact us at +1 281-242-0432 to discover the exquisite harmony of Indian food and Chinese culinary traditions. Experience the best of both worlds at Alings Chinese Bistro!
