12
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Jun
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2025
North Indian food is rich, hearty, and bursting with flavour — but if you're new to it, the variety can feel overwhelming.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all stared at the menu wondering what a “makhani” is or how spicy a “vindaloo” might be.
This guide is for you — the curious foodie ready to explore North Indian cuisine at Peacock Restaurant without burning your tongue or breaking a sweat.
We’ll walk you through the gentler starters, comforting breads, vegetarian crowd-pleasers, and how to slowly build your spice tolerance like a pro.
Ready to dive in fork-first? Let’s get started!
🍗 Mild Yet Mighty: Starter-friendly curry choices
If you’re dipping your spoon into North Indian curries for the first time, go for something creamy and mild — not fiery.
Butter Chicken (also called Murgh Makhani) is your safest and most delicious bet. It's rich, buttery, and tomato-based with no heat.
Think of it like the mac & cheese of Indian cuisine — everyone loves it, and it never lets you down.
Chicken Tikka Masala is another newbie-friendly dish with grilled chicken in a slightly spicier, tangy tomato cream sauce.
This is the dish that even our favourite Tom Cruise cherished and couldn’t stop repeating it. Read it here https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/aug/23/mission-masala-tom-two-curries-cruise-ashas-birmingham.
Chicken Tikka Masala is a little bolder than butter chicken, but still comforting and gentle enough to enjoy without reaching for a fire extinguisher.
Want something vegetarian but still rich and satisfying? Go for Malai Kofta — soft veggie dumplings in a cashew-cream curry.
It's smooth, slightly sweet, and perfect if you're easing into Indian food with caution (but curiosity).
🍞 Bread Bonanza: Guide to naan, roti, and kulcha
In North Indian cuisine, bread isn’t just a side — it’s part of the experience. And no, it’s not like your usual toast or bun.
Naan is the most popular and beginner-friendly option. It’s soft, fluffy, and slightly charred from the tandoor (clay oven).
You can enjoy it plain or go adventurous with garlic naan, butter naan, or even cheese naan if you're feeling indulgent.
Roti is a healthier, whole wheat flatbread. It’s thinner and drier than naan, and great for scooping up thick lentil dishes.
If you like lighter meals or want something closer to chapati or wraps, roti will make you feel right at home.
Kulcha is the party version of naan — often stuffed with potatoes, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), or spices.
It’s flaky, rich, and fun to pair with tangy chickpeas (Chole) or yogurt-based curries.
The best part? All of these breads are meant to be torn by hand, dipped, swirled, and devoured with joy!
🧀 Vegetarian Wonders: Paneer & lentil-based picks
North Indian cuisine is a paradise for vegetarians — full of flavour, protein, and variety that even meat lovers enjoy.
Paneer Butter Masala is a classic. It’s basically the vegetarian twin of butter chicken, with cubes of soft cottage cheese.
The sauce is smooth, creamy, slightly sweet, and full of comfort — perfect for spooning over rice or scooping with naan.
Another star is Dal Makhani, a rich, slow-cooked lentil dish made with black urad dal and kidney beans.
It’s smoky, buttery, and surprisingly indulgent for something so humble — perfect with roti or plain rice.
If you like chickpeas, don’t miss Chole — a tangy and slightly spicy chickpea curry that’s big on flavour, not on heat.
Often served with kulcha or puri (a deep-fried bread), it’s a go-to meal in Punjabi households and weekend brunch menus.
Still unsure? Just ask for a vegetarian thali — a sampler platter with small portions of several dishes, perfect for exploration.
🔥 Smoky Stars: Kebabs, Tandoori & Tikka Favourites
If curries are the heart of North Indian cuisine, then tandoori dishes are the soul — smoky, charred, and packed with bold flavours.
Chicken Tikka is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly grilled options. It’s boneless chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled in a tandoor (clay oven) until it’s juicy inside and slightly smoky outside. No bones,
no fuss — just flavour.
Tandoori Chicken is similar, but served on the bone and often spicier. It’s vibrant red, thanks to spices like paprika and chili, and makes a dramatic entry at the table, sizzling and smoking on a hot plate.
Want something vegetarian but equally exciting? Go for Paneer Tikka — marinated cubes of cottage cheese grilled with capsicum and onion.
It’s soft, flavorful, and a great option for those who want the BBQ vibes without the meat.
If you love grilled bites with a side of dip, try Seekh Kebabs — usually made with minced meat or veggies, rolled on skewers, and cooked until crispy and fragrant. They’re perfect as starters with mint chutney or even alongside a cold
beer.
Tandoori dishes are light on gravy but rich in taste — and they go amazingly well with a drink, salad, or naan on the side.
🌶️ Spice-O-Meter: How to ease into spicier dishes
Let’s talk spice. Yes, North Indian food can be hot — but it doesn’t have to be if you know how to navigate the heat.
Start with dishes that are mild and creamy, like butter chicken, dal makhani, and malai kofta. They’re rich in flavour, not in fire.
Add a little raita (a yogurt dip with cucumber and spices) to your plate — it cools the palate and balances spice perfectly.
Even spicy dishes become manageable with a spoonful of raita on the side, like your own creamy rescue squad.
Ask for dishes to be made “less spicy” — most Indian restaurants are happy to tone it down for first-timers.
You can always build up over time and level up to things like vindaloo, Goan Fish Curry, or spicy pickles once you're ready.
And remember: spice is not just heat. It’s aroma, flavour, and depth. Learning to enjoy it is part of the journey — and the fun.
🍨 Sweet Endings: Desserts You Don’t Want to Skip
No North Indian meal is complete without a little something sweet — and trust us, these classics are worth saving room for.
Gulab Jamun is a must-try — soft, deep-fried milk balls soaked in rose-scented sugar syrup. Warm, melt-in-your-mouth, and pure indulgence.
They’re like doughnut holes that went to culinary school in Delhi.
Kulfi is India’s version of ice cream — denser, creamier, and available in flavours like pistachio, mango, or cardamom.
Perfect if you want something cold and rich after a spicy meal.
Rasmalai is a delicate treat made of soft cheese patties soaked in chilled saffron milk and sprinkled with nuts. It’s light, milky, and just sweet enough to refresh your palate.
And don’t miss Gajar Ka Halwa, a warm carrot pudding slow-cooked with ghee, milk, and sugar, then topped with cashews and raisins.
It’s cozy, festive, and especially popular during winter months and celebrations.
Whether you're a sugar lover or just need a gentle ending, North Indian desserts bring the meal full circle with charm and richness.
Final thoughts?
North Indian food is full of warmth, bold flavours, and comforting richness. It’s made for sharing, dipping, scooping, and savoring.
Start slow, follow your taste buds, and don’t be afraid to ask questions — every dish tells a story, and now you’re part of it.
Hungry already? Thought so.
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(65) 6717 9191 |
(65) 9339 7150
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⏰ LUNCH HOURS: 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM
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⏰ DINNER HOURS: 05:00 PM - 10:30 PM
📍 Address: 1 West Coast Drive, #01-95 NEWEST, Singapore 128020