Trying Indian food for the first time can be slightly daunting. A menu filled with unfamiliar names, different spices and dishes ranging from mild and creamy to seriously hot can make it difficult to know where to begin.
The good news is that Indian food is far more varied than simply choosing a hot curry. At Prachee Indian Restaurant Chichester, there are plenty of dishes that are ideal for first-time diners, including mild curries, creamy favourites and a selection of tandoori dishes cooked in the traditional clay oven.
If you are not a fan of spicy food, or you simply want an introduction to Indian cuisine without overwhelming your palate, there are some particularly good places to start.
Start With Tandoori Food If You Don’t Like Spicy Dishes
For someone who has never tried Indian food, tandoori cooking can be one of the easiest introductions to the cuisine.
Tandoori dishes are marinated with herbs and spices before being grilled in the clay tandoor. The result is smoky, charred and full of flavour, but that does not necessarily mean hot.
The menu includes several tandoori options, including chicken tikka, lamb tikka, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka shashlik, lamb tikka shashlik, tandoori mixed grill and tandoori king prawns.
Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka is arguably one of the simplest dishes to recommend to an Indian food beginner. Tender pieces of boneless chicken are marinated before being cooked in the tandoor, giving them a distinctive grilled flavour.
There is no thick curry sauce to get used to, making it a good choice if you normally prefer grilled chicken or other straightforward meat dishes.
It is also available as a starter, allowing you to try a smaller portion before deciding whether you want to explore more of the menu.
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken offers another straightforward introduction. A half chicken is marinated and grilled in the tandoor, creating a combination of juicy meat and charred edges.
For someone who says, “I don’t like curry”, this can be a particularly good starting point. You are still experiencing traditional Indian spices and tandoori cooking, but without ordering a heavy curry sauce.
Tandoori Mixed Grill
If you want to try several flavours in one meal, the tandoori mixed grill is an excellent option. It combines chicken tikka, lamb tikka, seekh kebab and tandoori chicken.
Rather than committing to one unfamiliar dish, you get an opportunity to discover which style of Indian cooking you enjoy most.
The Best Mild Curry for a First-Time Indian Food Experience
If you specifically want to try a curry, but are worried about heat, look towards the milder dishes on the menu.
One of the safest starting points is a korma.
Korma
Korma is well known for being mild, creamy and gently spiced. The Prachee version is made with coconut, cream and aromatic spices, giving it a sweet and rich character.
It is a good choice for diners who normally prefer creamy sauces and don’t enjoy chilli heat.
The important distinction is that mild does not mean flavourless. Indian cooking uses a wide range of aromatic spices that contribute fragrance and depth without necessarily making a dish hot.
For someone searching for the best mild Indian curry for beginners, korma is therefore an obvious place to start.
Tikka Masala: A Familiar Introduction to Indian Curry
Chicken tikka masala is another popular choice for anyone trying Indian food for the first time.
At Prachee, the meat is marinated with herbs and spices, cooked in the tandoori oven and then simmered in a sweet and creamy masala sauce.
That combination makes it particularly approachable. You get the smoky flavour of tandoori cooking alongside a creamy sauce, so it sits somewhere between the simplicity of grilled chicken and the richer experience of a traditional curry.
For a little more background on this familiar British curry, read our guide to tikka masala and the story behind this British favourite.
If you already enjoy chicken dishes but have never ordered an Indian curry, chicken tikka masala can be a comfortable first step.
Pasanda for Something Mild, Creamy and Nutty
Another option worth considering is pasanda.
Pasanda uses marinated meat that is cooked in the tandoor before being added to a mild, creamy almond sauce. The result is rich and nutty rather than chilli-hot.
This can work particularly well for someone who wants to experience something a little different without jumping into stronger spices.
It is worth remembering that pasanda contains nuts, so anyone with a nut allergy should always discuss their requirements with the restaurant before ordering.
What About Bhuna, Rogan Josh and Curry?
Once you feel ready to move beyond the mildest options, there are several classic curries that introduce more noticeable spice without necessarily being fiery.
| Curry | What to expect | Good for beginners? |
|---|---|---|
| Korma | Sweet, mild and creamy | Yes |
| Tikka Masala | Sweet, creamy and tandoori-flavoured | Yes |
| Pasanda | Mild, creamy and nutty | Yes |
| Curry | Traditional medium sauce | Yes, if you want more spice |
| Bhuna | Rich, concentrated and medium hot | Good next step |
| Rogan Josh | Medium-strength with tomato and spices | Good next step |
| Dhansak | Sweet, sour and slightly hot | For adventurous beginners |
| Jalfrezi | Hot with fresh chillies | Better for experienced diners |
| Madras | Hotter and more intensely spiced | Not ideal as a first curry |
A traditional curry is a sensible choice if you want to experience a more recognisable curry sauce without going straight to the hotter end of the menu.
Bhuna is another good progression. The spices are gently fried with onions before the meat is cooked in its juices, producing a richer and more concentrated flavour. It is described as medium hot, so it is better suited to someone who is becoming more comfortable with spice.
Rogan Josh offers another medium-strength option, combining a bhuna-style preparation with spiced tomato.
For more help choosing between different curry styles, our simple guide to choosing an Indian curry is a useful place to explore the different flavours and heat levels.
Don’t Start With the Hottest Curry on the Menu
One of the biggest mistakes first-time Indian food diners can make is assuming that ordering something very spicy is the best way to experience Indian cuisine.
It isn’t.
Dishes such as jalfrezi are specifically designed for people who enjoy heat, with fresh chillies, ginger, garlic and a homemade chilli sauce. Prachee’s menu also includes hotter signature dishes such as chicken chilli shaan, which uses three types of chilli, including Bangladeshi Naga.
Those dishes can be fantastic if you already enjoy spicy food, but they are unlikely to give someone who dislikes heat the best first impression of Indian cuisine.
Indian food is about far more than chilli. Aromatic spices, slow cooking, tandoori grilling, creamy sauces, herbs, garlic, ginger and different textures all contribute to the experience.
Don’t Forget the Starters
You don’t necessarily have to begin your Indian food experience with a curry.
Ordering a starter gives you the chance to try a few flavours before choosing a main course. Chicken tikka, for example, is an easy option for someone who prefers grilled meat, while other starters allow you to explore different textures and seasonings.
If you want to explore the options before ordering, our guide to starters available at Prachee Chichester covers some of the choices available on the menu.
What Should You Order With Your First Indian Curry?
The right sides can make your first Indian meal much more enjoyable.
Fresh naan is an obvious choice, particularly with a creamy curry. The menu offers plain naan, garlic naan, Peshwari naan, cheese naan and other varieties.
For someone who prefers something slightly sweeter, Peshwari naan contains ground almonds, coconut, mango and raisins. Again, it contains nuts, so check with the restaurant if you have an allergy.
Rice is another straightforward accompaniment. Basmati pulao rice offers a fragrant option, while coconut rice provides a sweeter flavour that works particularly well with milder curries.
You can also add a vegetable side such as saag paneer, aloo gobi or cauliflower baazi if you want to explore more of the menu without ordering another meat-based curry.
A Simple First Indian Meal at Prachee
If you have never tried Indian food before and don’t enjoy spicy dishes, there is no reason to make your first meal complicated.
A simple combination could be chicken tikka as a starter, followed by chicken tikka masala or korma with naan and basmati pulao rice.
If you would rather avoid curry altogether, start with tandoori chicken, chicken tikka or the tandoori mixed grill. These dishes allow you to experience the herbs, marinades and smoky flavours associated with Indian cooking without committing to a hot sauce.
As you become more familiar with the flavours, you can gradually work your way towards medium dishes such as bhuna or rogan josh, and eventually explore hotter options if you discover that you enjoy chilli.
Indian Food Doesn’t Have to Be Spicy
The idea that Indian food is automatically hot puts many people off trying it, but the menu at Prachee offers plenty of alternatives.
Mild curries such as korma, creamy dishes such as tikka masala and pasanda, and tandoori favourites such as chicken tikka provide plenty of flavour without relying on intense chilli heat.
For first-time diners, tandoori cooking is particularly worth exploring. It provides an opportunity to experience Indian marinades, herbs, spices and traditional cooking techniques in a familiar grilled format.
Once you find the flavours you enjoy, you can start exploring the wider menu at your own pace. From mild and creamy curries to rich medium dishes and eventually fiery chilli-based specialities, there is no need to go straight to the hottest option.
For anyone new to Indian food in Chichester, starting with dishes that match your existing tastes is the best way to discover just how much variety Indian cuisine has to offer.
