How different is authentic Indian food to the food we get in Indian restaraunts?

[lisasian86]

I love getting Indian takeaway and going to Indian restaraunts here in the UK, the curries are so full of flavour and I really like naan breads and pickles and pretty much anything with spinach in it! I was just wondering how authentic Indian food made in India differs to the food we get here? I've heard that meat isn't used as often in India which is fine for me because I tend to prefer vegetable curries anyway. Are the flavours very different?

 

[OursIsTheFury]

I think it depends if the owner is Indian or had some experience cooking in India. I have seen lots of Indian themed places where the people running it have no idea what to do, and just base it on movies and pictures online. The food is just made to look kinda foreign, but the taste isn't that great. Maybe they do it because people (the locals) might not find Indian food appealing, as it is an acquired taste, so they modify it to make it closer to the culture of the country they are in?

 

[briannagodess]

I guess some of the major differences are:

• When it comes to curries: Most Indian foods in the UK and US use curry powders only. When you taste authentic Indian food, there's a variety of flavours and aroma simply because they use more spices, not just curry powder.

• Addition of other ingredients: My favourite Palak Paneer has mostly vegetables and cheese in it. But the UK and US version of it adds some cream to it. Lamb Vindaloo in the US adds some potatoes to the recipe, which you won't find in the Indian version.

• Use of other ingredients: The famous Samosas have peas, potatoes and onions inside it. But in other countries, these are replaced by meat, which isn't authentic to the Indian version.

• Some meals aren't Indian at all: Chicken Tikka Masala is an example of this, it's not an authentic Indian food.

 

[Norjak71]

Like anywhere, it's never quite the same. If you get a chance to taste real authentic Indian food you will immediately notice the difference and it is well worth it!

 

[Selena24]

Like yourself, I am also a big fan of takeaway Indian food. According to some of my Indian friends, a lot less MSG is used in the authentic Indian dishes you would find in India. Just like some of the previous posters have mentioned, most of the spices in Indian restaurants are used in powdered form. Whereas in India, spices like Fenugreek leaves are used in whole form.

There are also dishes that don't receive much exposure in Western nations. An example of such a dish would be Chettinad pepper chicken which is native to the Indian city of Chennai.

 

[Normad]

I love getting Indian takeaway and going to Indian restaraunts here in the UK, the curries are so full of flavour and I really like naan breads and pickles and pretty much anything with spinach in it! I was just wondering how authentic Indian food made in India differs to the food we get here? I've heard that meat isn't used as often in India which is fine for me because I tend to prefer vegetable curries anyway. Are the flavours very different?

To me the flavors are very different. We dine in Indian restaurants all the time when we are at home (South Africa) but when we get to India, the difference in the taste of all our favorite foods is very pronounced. Funny thing though... I seem to prefer the dishes from the restaurants. I think I've just gotten used to those flavors.

 

[Danny Luke]

It's never quite the same but it's not black and white either. There are definitely restaurants in the United Kingdom that strictly follow the traditional methods in preparing Indian food and some of them are really good in it. And there are those who simply label their dishes Indian food although they can't even come close to the original dishes.

 

[ladydaydream]

I think this definitely depends on the owners of the take-away restaurant; if they've studied cooking in India, it could be that the food is actually pretty authentic, but occasionally you can definitely find places that simply take from recipes online or just make food that resembles Indian styled cooking. I think tasting authentic food anywhere in the world versus the out-of-country equivalents is always a really shocking experience. I think one of the biggest differences in Indian food though is the "depth of flavor" that comes from using fresh sources to spice food rather than the powdered forms that people have been commenting about.

 

[Linda Nyabundi]

You cant possibly compare authentic Indian food made in India and the Indian food we get in restaurants. Although they may look or taste similar, most times the ones in restaurants are not authentic. The foods made in restaurants are sometimes not prepared by Indians but by hired chefs who have only learnt the art but not an original. The ones made in India are made traditionally by Indians who know exactly how to prepare them since they have been doing so for years and they have secret recipes that most chefs may not know. That said, it doesn't mean that Indian foods in restaurants are not good or tasty or Indian, they are just not authentic as the ones made in India.

 

[iamawriter]

Believe it or not water does play a role in giving that Indian touch besides what some other users here have suggested. Using powder masala powders which is what one does in foreign countries takes away the real taste of curries as here whole ingredients are used and they are ground to a paste.

 

[Londoner]

I'm a Londoner of an Indian origin, and a massive foody.

Reading this thread, it seems there are huge misconception about Indian food in the UK. Chicken Tikka Masala is a national dish of the UK.

India is a huge country and food changes from state to state, and from city to city. It is very local, Gujarati food is very different from Rajasthani.. and so on. Large proportion of India is vegetarian, thus you may not find meat samosa everywhere, but it is very much Indian. Again, even samosa recipe differs from state to another state in India.

First thing, using powder masala is NOT main ingredients of Indian restaurant dishes in UK anymore. Indian ingredients are now widely available on every high street in the UK.

Indian food in the UK has evolved to local taste, and we now have fair few amazing Michelin Star Indian restaurants in London which are absolutely amazing. And chefs like Atul Kocchar, Vineet Bhatia, Reza Mahammad, Vivek Singh, Rohit Ghai are doing amazing stuff. We now have many top restaurants who experiments with Indian flavours with amazing result.

So how does it differ? Take Chicken Tikka Masala, this dish was evolved in the UK and now a national dish of the country, and you won't find this in India. Madras and vindaloo are not Indian, Indian food is not supposed to be "chilli hot", it's delicate balance of spices. Many Indian high street take away restaurants in the UK are run by Bangladeshi, thus taste will differ to authentic Indian food. Sadly, may high street Indian restaurants have one basic sauce and thus many dishes taste alike, and far from authentic. Most high street restaurants have few of same dishes.

So, Indian food in India will differ vastly, it will not be creamy that you may be used to. Not every restaurant in India will have a tandoor, thus naan bread will differ, roti is more norm. Vegetable dishes will have more flavours in India. Sadly, I always find people in India use far too much oil and ghee than I like.

 

[Admin]

How Different is Authentic Indian Food from Indian Restaurant Food? (Updated 2025 Guide)​

Indian food served in restaurants abroad often differs significantly from what is cooked in Indian homes. If you've ever wondered how authentic Indian food compares to the dishes you get in Indian restaurants, this updated guide explains the key differences.

---

Key Differences Between Authentic Indian Food & Restaurant Indian Food​

Aspect	Authentic Indian Food (Home-Cooked)	Indian Restaurant Food
Ingredients	Uses fresh, seasonal, and locally available ingredients	Often uses canned or frozen ingredients for consistency
Spices & Flavor	Balanced spices, customized to personal taste	Often spicier, richer, and creamier to appeal to customers
Cooking Methods	Slow-cooked for deeper flavors, minimal oil	Cooked quickly with more oil or butter (ghee)
Use of Dairy	Yogurt, ghee, and milk used moderately	Heavy use of cream, butter, and cheese (especially in curries)
Presentation	Simple, homely plating	Garnished with coriander, cream swirls, and food coloring for appeal
Nutritional Value	Generally healthier with controlled oil and spices	Often higher in calories, salt, and fat
Bread Variety	Freshly made chapati, roti, or paratha	Large naan with butter for visual appeal
Regional Variety	Diverse, based on region and family traditions	Focuses on popular North Indian dishes like Butter Chicken & Paneer Tikka

---

Why is Indian Restaurant Food Different from Authentic Indian Food?​

1. Commercial Appeal – Restaurants cater to a wider audience and modify recipes for taste consistency.
2. More Cream, Butter & Oil – Popular dishes like Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala are richer and heavier than what is typically eaten at home.
3. Simplified Menus – Indian home food varies daily, but restaurants focus on a few popular dishes to streamline preparation.
4. Fusion Influences – Many restaurants, especially outside India, adapt dishes to local tastes, making them sweeter or milder.

---

Authentic Indian Dishes vs. Restaurant Versions​

Dish	Authentic Home-Cooked Version	Restaurant Version
Dal Tadka	Lightly spiced, made with lentils & tempered ghee	More butter/ghee, richer flavor
Butter Chicken	Less creamy, balanced spices	Heavy cream, butter, and cashew paste
Biryani	Slow-cooked with whole spices, minimal oil	Richer, oilier, and sometimes colored
Paneer Tikka	Homemade paneer, light marination	Heavily spiced, tandoor-cooked
Naan	Usually homemade or from tandoor in restaurants	Large, buttery, often commercialized
Vegetable Curry	Cooked with fresh vegetables & light gravy	Thick, rich, and sometimes sweetened

---

FAQs About Authentic Indian Food vs. Restaurant Food​

1. Why does Indian restaurant food taste different from home-cooked Indian food?
Restaurant food is cooked with more oil, butter, and cream for a richer taste, while home-cooked food is lighter and healthier.
2. Is authentic Indian food always spicy?
Not necessarily! Home-cooked Indian food is made according to taste, while restaurants often make it spicier for a strong flavor.
3. Why is Indian food outside India different?
Indian restaurants abroad adapt dishes to local tastes—sometimes making them sweeter or reducing spice levels.
4. What is the healthiest Indian dish to order at a restaurant?
Dishes like Tandoori Chicken, Dal, Roti, or simple Sabzi (vegetable curries) are lighter and healthier options.
5. What is the difference between curry in India and abroad?
The term "curry" is rarely used in India. Home-cooked Indian food consists of specific dishes like Dal, Sabzi, and Korma, while Western restaurants often generalize everything as "curry."

 

[Sarawill]

The part about regional diversity getting lost in restaurant menus is especially true. Not every Indian dish is from Punjab, people! Thanks for sharing this informative comparison.

 

[Shivangi]

Go to any Indian restaurant even in metro cities like Mumbai and you will find the Punjabi food dominates the menus, same is true for most restaurants in Dubai as well. There are so many different cuisines in India otherwise by you will hardly find any dishes from other regions of India, at the most you will find a few South Indian dishes along with Punjabi and thats about it.

 

[Sarawill]

Thanks for the tips; I really appreciate it!