Best Indian Restaurants New Jersey: Top 6 Appetizers You Must Try

When it comes to tantalizing appetizers, Indian cuisine offers a vibrant array of flavors, textures, and spices that are hard to resist. Whether you’re a foodie or a first-timer looking to explore new culinary experiences, New Jersey's Indian culinary culture is filled with exciting options. From crispy samosas and tangy chaats to succulent tandoori bites, these starters are a must-try for anyone seeking authentic flavors. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the top Indian appetizers that you simply cannot miss at the best Indian restaurants New Jersey.

Paneer Tikka

This North Indian delight is a fusion of vegetables and marinated paneer and it is cooked in a traditional oven called tandoor. It is a perfect substitute for Chicken Tikka for vegetarians, offering a delicious taste with a soft texture. 

Small pieces of paneer with onions, peppers and tomatoes are grilled and seasoned with chat masala and lemon juice. The dish is often served with mint chutney and a variety of salads on the side. There are many variations of the dish such as Paneer Tikka Masala with spicy gravy and paneer tikka rolls wrapped in flatbread.

Gobi Manchurian

Gobi Manchurian is among the most popular Indo-Chinese dishes, it consists of deep-fried cauliflower tossed in a spicy sauce known as Manchurian. You will come across two variations of the dish, gravy and dry. You will often see the dry version as an appetizer or simply as a snack with different sauces, on the other hand, the gravy variation offers a thick sauce made from cornstarch and is usually served as a main-course dish, steamed or fried. 

The florets of cauliflower are coated and deep-fried until they become crisp. The batter is made from corn flour, red chili, water and other seasonings and the sauce is made up of a fusion of onions, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, scallions, chili peppers and sugar.

Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada is another most loved Indian snack that can be served as both accompaniment and main course dish. It originates from North India and it includes lentil-based deep-fried balls also known as Vadas soaked in yogurt. 

This famous street food is topped with a variety of spices like cumin, chili, coriander and a variety of chutneys. The dish is widely popular during festival celebrations like weddings and offers a perfect refreshment in the summer season. You can easily find Dahi Vada at the best Indian restaurants New Jersey.

Chili Paneer

Chili paneer is another traditional Indo-Chinese dish, a widely popular appetizer in India. It consists of small cubes of paneer which are deeply fried and mixed with spicy sauce. You can find two versions of the dish, dry and semi-dry.   

The most loved version of the dish is gravy. The cubes are first battered in a fusion of cornstarch, ginger, garlic, salt, flour, black pepper and red chili powder and then it is deeply fried. While the gravy is made from a simple combination of garlic, ginger, onions, red chili, chili peppers, soy sauce and sugar.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka is among the most popular meat-based appetizers in Indian cuisine. To make it more tender, you can marinate it in a variety of spices such as garam masala, ginger paste and coriander and then grill it. The dish is famous for its soft texture, ensuring the true essence of Indian spices and herbs. It is often served with salad and green chutney, making it a wholesome meal experience. 

Samosa

When it comes to the must-try list of appetizers, you just cannot miss Samosa. Samosa is one of the most popular appetizers enjoyed in households in India and very common to make it at home. It is popular for its crunch on the outside and soft inside. It is stuffed with a mix of potatoes, peas and a wide range of spices.  

Most people usually enjoy samosa with their evening tea or as a quick snack. Whether you love simple or spicy, you can choose to accompany the dish with a wide variety of chutneys to choose from. If you are someone who is trying Indian food for the time, there is no better introduction than this!