Indian Food for the Weak Stomached - need answer fast!

Cafe Society
1

In an attempt to go OUT more, I have been invited to a birthday dinner at an Indian restaurant.

I’ve never eaten Indian food before, because I have a serious aversion to hot/spicy food. It’s never seemed worth it for me to trust that someone else’s idea of “oh, it’s not that spicy” doesn’t match mine.

But, I’m gonna be a trooper and try it out.

In a evil twist of events, I have been battling some indigestion this past week, and am just now feeling better. But I’m still extra wary of spices.

Spice just doesn’t work for me, even when I’m not having indigestion. I’ve had a Chipotle burrito with nothing on it that made my face puff up and turn red. I had a Taco Bell burrito that made my eyes water. Sometimes if there’s too much ketchup on something, I find it too hot.

Here’s the menu of the place where I’m going. What should I eat?

I am cool with just getting appetizers and/or dessert.

2

Tandoori chicken-

Mild chicken marinated in a flavorful (but not spicy) yogurt sauce, baked in a clay oven.

Biriyani can be a good choice too- flavorful (not spicy) rice with vegetables and protein (chicken, shrimp etc).

3

Korma - not the slightest bit hot. Really.
but not on the menu. Must read better!

4

I’d suggest the vegetable biryani with the cucumber raiti mixed it.

5

See, now I’m hungry.

6

Indian food isn’t necessarily spicy. Things vary from restaurant to restaurant, of course, but nearly every one I’ve visited in the US has allowed you to order a dish and specify how hot you want it. Ask your waiter if you’re nervous - they will have heard it before and know what to recommend.

7

I can’t read the menu. It says, “risky content removed from this page” and thus it’s just a giant blank page.

Look for cream-based foods or yogurt-based foods while you are there. Don’t get anything that says “do piazza”; that’s onions and, while not necessarily spicy, there isn’t anything to cut the spice.

My SO eats the chicken tikka makhni. Lots of people who can’t handle spice swear by this.

Samosas are good.

Don’t get any chaat. Sometimes they make it too spicy for me to handle.

Biryani is great, yes.

8

I love spicy but can’t eat it. I tend toward things like shish kebab-like things. I can’t remember what they are called on Indian menus.

9

First of all, if any biryani that’s not spicy is terrible. But I guess to answer your question, biryani has the potential to be very spicy,

On that mene, here are the items that have the least probability of being spicy. By the way, not knowing the restaurant, many more may fit your criteria:

TANDOOR CHICKEN
CHICKEN TIKKA
SALMON TIKKA

NAAN
POORIS

Of the meat specialties, your best bets are:

CHICKEN MAKHANI (they spelled it wrong)
BUTTER SHRIMP

But you should really just ask the staff.

It’s lunch time, and I’m starving! And I can’t go out today. Argghhh!

10

I’d say butter shrimp or palak paneer.

11

How 'bout if I just go in your place? I like spice, and I’m at least a hundred miles away from the nearest Indian eatery. Jealous!

12

Raita, not raiti.

13

Thanks all, great suggestions so far. I’m not going until Saturday evening, so keep it coming!

And yeah I realize that Indian != hot. Just want to make sure I don’t accidentally order something that IS.

14

You can just tell the waiter, you know. They’re used to wussy American palates. :wink:

15

Avoid vindaloo.
I ordered that on my first Indian experience… boy howdy that was out.

16

Yeah, vindaloo is not the way to go if you’re avoiding spice.

I find that Chicken Tikka Masala tends to be a good mild introduction to Indian food. The similar Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken) as well.

17

Oops- I meant “hot”, not “out”.

But yeah.

18

Lamb korma is indeed in the menu. Not at all hot.

19

There’s not a buffet? The buffet is the best way to sample and taste and end up with enough to eat if you’re unsure of a cuisine.

20

Traditional kormas aren’t hot. Curry-house kormas often are.