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The Vocabulary of Indian Food


Some common words related to food in Hindi (and several of the other North Indian languages) are translated here. A similar table for South Indian food words would be welcome. Remind me of any word I've forgotten to put down. See also a list at Aston.
A
AaduPeach
AamMango
AamchurDried mango powder
AcharPickles
AdrakGinger
AlooPotato
AnarPomegranate
AnardanaPomegranate seeds
AngoorGrapes
AttaWhole corn flour (see also maida)
B
BadamAlmonds
Baigan/bainganAubergine, Egg Plant
Bandh gobhiCabbage (see also Phool gobhi and gobhi)
BesanChick pea flour
BhajeeVegetable
BhejaBrain
BhindiOkra (Lady's fingers)
C
ChanaChick peas, gram (see also Kabuli chana)
Chatni
ChawalRice (generic)
Chowli/lobiaBlack-eyed beans
ChhilkaRind (generic)
Chini/shakkarSugar
D
DahiYoghurt
Dal/dhalPulses
DarchiniCinnamon
DhaniaCoriander
DoodhMilk
E
Elaichi/ilaichiCardamom
G
GajarCarrot
Garam Masalaa blend of cumin, pepper, cloves and cardamom
GehunWheat (so gehun ka atta)
GheeClarified butter (without milk solids)
Ghia/laukiA variety of north Indian gourd
Gobhi/gobiCabbage or cauliflower (see also Bandh gobhi and Phool gobhi)
GoshtMeat (generic; specific meats are called after the animal)
GulabRose
Gulab jalRose water
GurJaggery (raw cane sugar)
GurdaKidney
H
HaldiTurmeric
Hara dhaniaCoriander leaves (see also dhania)
Hara piazSpring onion (see also piaz/pyaz)
HeengAsafoetida
I
Ilaichi/elaichiCardamom
ImliTamarind
J
Jaiphal/zaiphalNutmeg
JavitriMace
JeeraCumin
K
KababAny of a variety of meatballs made of keema
Kabuli chanaWhite gram (see also chana)
KadduPumpkin (see also lauki, ghia)
KajuCashew nuts
KakariCucumber
KalejaLiver
Kali mirchPepper
KarhaiA hemispherical frying pan, used for deep frying
Keema/kheemaMinced meat (usually mutton)
KelaBanana
Kesar/kesari/zafranSaffron (stigma of the crocus flower)
KhajurDates
Khas khas/khus khusPoppy seeds
KheeraCucumbers
Khopra/NariyalCoconut
KismisRaisins (see also munakka)
KumbhiMushroom
L
LahsunGarlic
Lauki/ghiaA variety of north Indian gourd
Lavang/laungCloves
Lobia/chowliBlack-eyed beans
M
MaidaFlour
MakaiCorn
Masoor (dal)Red lentils
MasalaSpices (generic)
MatarPeas
MethiFenugreek
MirchiChilis
MooliRadish
MoongphaliGround nuts
MunakkaSultana (also bara kismis; see kismis)
MurgChicken
N
Namak/nimakSalt
Nariyal/khopraCoconut
NimbuLemon
P
PalakSpinach (also sag)
PaneerCottage cheese, fromage blanc
PapitaPapaya
Phool GobhiCauliflower (see also Bandh gobhi and gobhi)
Piaz/pyazOnions
PistaPistachio
PudinaMint
R
RaaiMustard seeds (see also sarson)
RaanLeg of mutton
RajmaRed Kidney beans
RaitaYoghurt with salads, nuts or other garnish, used as an accompaniment to meals
Rawa/soojiSemolina
RotiBread (generic)
S
SagGreens (generic, so sarson ka sag etc)
SarsonMustard (see also raai)
SaunfFennel
SeekhSkewer (so seekh kabab)
SevApple
ShakahariVegetarian
ShakarkandSweet potatoes
Shakkar/chiniSugar
ShalgamTurnip
ShorbaSoup, gravy
Simla mirchCapsicum
SingharaWater chestnuts
SonthDried ginger
Sooji/rawaSemolina
SuwaDill
T
TamatarTomato
TandoorAn oven of baked mud, from north India (so tandoori roti, tandoori murg)
TawaGriddle
Tej Patta Bay leaf
TelOil (generic, so sarson ka tel, moongphali ka tel etc.)
TilSesame
Toor/toovarPigeon-peas
Z
Zafran/kesar/kesariSaffron (stigma of the crocus flower)
Zaiphal/jaiphalNutmeg