5 Must Try Goan Cuisine

5 Must Try Goan Cuisine

Each state in India has its own taste and food culture. Every 50 km you travel in India you will find different food, different language, and different culture. There is a true diversity in Indian Food, in order to food making style, ingredients, food preservation methods and so on. Each region use their local produced ingredients and materials for everyday cooking. South India is biggest producer of Coffee, Rice, coconut that’s why you find use of rice and coconut in most of the houses.

Similarly, when we talk about Goan Cuisine Goa has got massive cost line of Arabian Sea and full of greenery around it. Usage of different type of Fish, prawns, crab and many kinds of seafood, coconut, kokum , Cashews , rice is very commonly found in Goan Cuisine . If you are in Goa and wish to witness, try culture you Must try Goan Cuisine to satisfy your taste buds and your soul.

Goan food also referred as Konkani food is influenced by Portuguese style cooking methods. In this article we have picked 5 must try Goan Cuisine for you which can be easily available in any local Goan restaurant. You can not miss trying these Konkani curries if you are in Goa . This can be your beginner level journal for Spectacular and mouthwatering Goan Cuisine .

1. Goan Fish Currey Rice (Xitti Kodi)

Rice and fish curry is eaten at almost every home in Goa. It is one of the most popular comfort food that can be easily found in any local restaurant or food center. As we know Goa is blessed with coast line of Arabian Sea, It is the reason you can get fresh fish in Goa 24/7. Xitti Kodu is Most famous fish curry and defiantly in a list of 5 must try Goan cuisine.

This curry is made of many species like chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin seeds etc. Usage of onions , tomatoes and various Garam masalas make flavor of this curry rich. This curry is usually made with Mackerel fish which also called “Bangada/ Bangdo” in Konkani Language. This oily fish is full of nutrition like omega 3 and fatty acids. This curry rice dish can be eaten for lunch or dinner or some prefer it breakfast as well. If you are in Goa and want to try something soul satisfying then you must look for local Xitti Kodi .

Tip – If you are not comfortable with spicy food,  you might want to ask to maintain the spice level while ordering your curry .

2. Balchao – A Prawn Curry

If you are someone who loves seafood, then Goa is a place for you. Fish , prawns , crabs , oysters are easily available in almost all local restaurants in Goa. While talking about 5 Must Try Goan Cuisine we can not miss this tangy prawn curry made of tomato sauce and vinegar. This is again one of the comfort food eaten all over Goa. Balchao can be eaten with rice or Roti (Bread) .

There are various types of Balchao and can be made with fish or pork . Origin of Balchao is Portugal but later became popular in all over Goa. Balacho is considered as authentic Goan cuisine made of marinated prawns and to add tangy flavor to curry tomato or vinegar is used. This curry can easily be found in any Goan restaurant or you can make it by yourself if you have an access to kitchen while in Goa.

Also see – Homestays in Goa.

3. Pork Vindaloo

Vindaloo is old authentic Goan dish invented from Portuguese dish called “carne de vinha d’alhos”. Vindalo has various versions and can be made of Pork or Chicken or beef. This is curry-based dish made of various spices, chili powder and vinegar and coconut slow cooked until become soft and watery. Vindaloo can be eaten with Rice or Roti (Bread).

This curry is made for spicy lovers since many types of Garam Masalas and spices used while cooking it makes it one of the spicy food of Goa but as said you can maintain the spice level according to your tolerance. Even though it is considered as spicy it is one of the most eaten curries in Goa. Pork or chicken vindaloo can be found in any Authentic Goan restaurant, and it is defiantly one of the 5 must try Goan cuisine. You defiantly want to search some restaurants which serve this soul satisfying curry while in Goa.

4. Ambotik

Ambotik a word consist of Amot which means tangy/sour + tik which means spicy. As name suggest this is Sour and Spicy curry made of fish , calamari or prawns. Kokum is used to make this curry sour . Unlike other Goan dishes, Ambotik is made without using coconut so this is great option for those who want to avoid eating coconut. Any Goan curry can be made of vegetables as well if you replace seafood or meat with vegetables but one must admit that real taste of Goan cuisine is in Seafood and meat.

Like other curries Ambotik can be eaten with boiled or steamed rice or rice string hoppers. Ambotik is widely eaten in all over costal areas of Konkan. Usage of Kokum fruit which is widely used in Goan cuisine makes this curry rich in flavor . Ambotik is definitely one of the 5 must try Goan cuisine we recommend to have this at any local place or homecooked so that you can witness authenticity of Goan food.

5. Chicken Cafreal

One of the most popular and easy to cook curry is Chicken Cafreal made of spices and lots of coriander and coconut. Tendor mouthwatering curry dish is definitely a 5 must try Goan cuisine This greenish looking curry is real treat for tastebuds. Chicken Cafreal is usually made of Chicken legs and commonly served with potatoes and lime. It very easy to find this dish in any local restaurant in Goa. Usage of fresh coriander and spices make this curry delicious. Curry rice is most commonly eaten comfort food in Goa and many states in India. There are many verities of curry found in every region.

Every curry that you will eat in India has many aspects to it – The way its cooked, the ingredients in it and the way it is eaten . We always encourage to eat local food if you want to taste the real cultural of any place. If you are in Goa you can not miss any of these amazing homecooked Goan curries.

FAQs

Question – What are the most commonly used ingredients in Goan Cuisine?
Answer – Goa has got amazing coastal line and because of that seafood and coconut products are found very widely. Fish, Rice, Coconut, Kokum and cashews are most commonly used ingredients in Goan cuisine.

Questions – What are some tropical fruits and vegetables exclusively found in Goa?
Answers – Mangos, papayas, passion fruit, chikoo, kokum are names of some tropical fruits which are famous in Goa. Vegetables like tender bamboo shoots, tero, hog plum can be counted in exotic vegetables of Goa.

Question – what is kokum ?
Answer – Kokum is Garcinia indica, fruit of mangosteen family. Kokum is used in different forms of food and rinks in Goa and Konkan region . It has acidic properties. Kokum-Sharbat is very famous drink made of kokum which can be enjoyed in hot summer .