Indian Cuisine Trivia

100+ Best Indian Cuisine Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: May 20th, 2025

Explore the vibrant and flavorful world of Indian cuisine with over 100 trivia questions that will take you on a culinary journey through the spices, flavors, and traditions of this diverse country. From butter chicken to masala chai, challenge yourself with these tantalizing tidbits of Indian food knowledge!

Easy Indian Cuisine Trivia

Question: Which saucy red base gives Butter Chicken its signature hug in a bowl?

Answer: Tomato

Question: Which region in India whips up creamy curries like royalty—with whole spices and fruity surprises?

Answer: Kashmir

Question: From which lush southern state does the rainbow-in-a-bowl veggie dish Avial hail?

Answer: Kerala

Question: Which herb, loved by naan and Instagram foodies alike, often tops Kulcha and naan bread?

Answer: Coriander

Question: What fruity word completes this curious Indian snack name: “hog ___”?

Answer: Plum

Question: Which beloved drink goes full Bollywood when you add spices—masala style?

Answer: Tea

Question: What milky treat is slow-cooked into sweet, thick magic called Rabri?

Answer: Milk

Question: Which meat rules the Bombay curry scene like a true Bollywood superstar?

Answer: Chicken

Question: Aloo papri chat has a secret spicy filling—guess the veggie that rules the inside?

Answer: Potato

Question: Aloo tikki: these veg snacks are shaped like what you’d flip on a grill?

Answer: Patties

Question: Jalfrezi without these fiery little guys? Unthinkable. What’s always in the mix?

Answer: Fresh Chillies

Question: Kingfisher, India’s top brew, first took flight in which disco-dancing decade?

Answer: 1970s

Question: Which slithery creature shares its name with a bold Indian beer brand?

Answer: Cobra

Question: The snack Dhokla from Gujarat wears which sunny color like a badge of honor?

Answer: Yellow

Question: Roughly what percent of Indians say “no thanks” to meat and stick to plants?

Answer: 31%

Question: Channa—sounds cute, but it’s actually the Indian name for which humble pulse?

Answer: Chickpeas

Question: Rajma might be a Bollywood villain’s name, but in your bowl, it’s just a type of…?

Answer: Kidney Beans

Question: Which crunchy leaf leads the salad scene in the mountain state of Arunachal Pradesh?

Answer: Lettuce

Question: When curry sets your mouth on fire, which cool companion comes to the rescue?

Answer: Yoghurt

Question: What veggie goes undercover as the star of vegetarian tikka—crispy, spiced, and grilled?

Answer: Cauliflower

Question: Khaja is a dessert that takes the plunge into sizzling oil. What’s the cooking method?

Answer: Deep Fried

Question: Kheer is India’s answer to which creamy Western comfort dessert?

Answer: Rice Pudding

Question: In Goan kitchens, what sea-dwelling creature is called a pomfret?

Answer: Fish

Question: Aamras is pure, pulpy goodness squeezed straight from which golden fruit?

Answer: Mango

Question: Dhansak: a meaty marvel cooked with this lentil-loving ingredient. What is it?

Answer: Lentils

Question: Which triangular street food icon gets its crunch from a deep-fried life?

Answer: Deep Fried

Question: Chapati often subs in when rice is missing in action—what is it?

Answer: Bread

Question: Little Hearts may sound romantic, but in India, they’re actually crispy little…?

Answer: Biscuits

Question: Basmati and Ponni—these fragrant names belong to which grainy food staple?

Answer: Rice

Question: What kind of naan is basically dessert in disguise—stuffed with coconut and raisins?

Answer: Peshwari

Question: On average, how many kilos of rice does one hungry Indian munch through in a year?

Answer: 103kg

Medium Indian Cuisine Trivia

Question: Unlike most cheeses, paneer skips this controversial ingredient—making vegetarians everywhere cheer. What’s missing?

Answer: Rennet

Question: Nutmeg in Indian cooking doesn’t come from a wizard’s wand, but from which part of the tree?

Answer: Seeds

Question: Which veggie gets all dressed up, deep-fried, and turns into a bhaji party starter?

Answer: Onion

Question: Apong might sound like a video game character, but it’s actually a beer-like brew made by fermenting what?

Answer: Rice

Question: What golden triangle of flaky goodness hides meat or veg in its crispy belly?

Answer: Samosa

Question: Chicken tikka gets its final glam with a sprinkle of which green herb?

Answer: Coriander

Question: Khaja, the sweet treat with serious crunch, is India’s cousin to which Middle Eastern delight?

Answer: Baklava

Question: Saag gosht is all about leafy greens and tender bites of what meaty companion?

Answer: Lamb

Question: What humble pancake rolls up spicy potatoes and onions into a South Indian superstar?

Answer: Potato and Onion

Question: Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, first strutted onto the food scene in which fab decade?

Answer: 1950s

Question: Sarson da saag brings warmth to northern hearts—it's a staple dish from which Indian region?

Answer: Punjab

Question: Navratan Korma shines with how many veggie “gems” in its creamy crown?

Answer: 9

Question: Litti chokha—don’t let the name fool you—it’s a dough ball wonder from where?

Answer: Bihar

Question: Chicken 65—sounds like a secret agent, but what number comes after this fiery dish’s name?

Answer: 65

Question: Jungli Maas is a wild, spicy curry from which desert-loving region?

Answer: Rajasthan

Question: In keema, which green veggie sneaks in with the minced meat like a secret sidekick?

Answer: Peas

Question: Which hard, round bread from Rajasthan might double as a discus in a food fight?

Answer: Rajasthan

Question: Phirni, the creamy dessert, owes its sweetness to which royal nut?

Answer: Almond

Question: Gobi paratha—this breakfast flatbread hides which veggie inside its golden crust?

Answer: Cauliflower

Question: Aloo gobi = potatoes + which other veggie bestie?

Answer: Cauliflower

Question: How many aromatic spice warriors usually team up to create garam masala?

Answer: 7

Question: Bisi Bele Bath, the South Indian comfort dish with a spicy soul, hails from which state?

Answer: Karnataka

Question: Batata vada is a crunchy snack with a soft heart made from what mashed veggie?

Answer: Potato

Question: Mysore pak—a fudge with a legendary backstory—was born in which century?

Answer: 20th

Question: What rich ingredient smooths things out in a dish of shahi korma, like cream on top?

Answer: Cream

Question: Shrikhand: This silky dessert is made from what creamy base that’s been strained to perfection?

Answer: Yoghurt

Question: Naga—don’t worry, it won’t bite—is a fiery type of what veggie?

Answer: Pepper

Question: The cooling dip called raita entered the scene in which colonial-flavored century?

Answer: 19th

Question: Badam milk is sweet, soothing, and full of which luxurious nut?

Answer: Almond

Question: Tamatar chutney goes full tomato-mode. What’s the key ingredient?

Answer: Tomato

Question: Pesara dosa swaps the usual batter for a green twist. Made from which beans?

Answer: Mung

Question: The royal roots of creamy curry korma go way back to which empire-loving century?

Answer: 16th

Question: In states like Punjab and Delhi, you’ll need to hit what age before toasting with a legal drink?

Answer: 25

Question: Sabudana vada gets a nutty crunch from which ground-up snack hero?

Answer: Peanuts

Question: Panch poron doesn’t bluff—how many spices actually play in this mix?

Answer: 5

Question: Jackfruit Papadum adds a fruity punch to your crunch. It’s a fave in which southern state?

Answer: Karnataka

Question: Sandesh, the soft and sweet delight, melts hearts in which eastern Indian region?

Answer: Bengal

Question: Hindu food philosophies don’t mess around—how many categories do they sort your meal into?

Answer: 3

Question: Grab an Indian lager and check the label. What’s the usual ABV that makes it light and lively?

Answer: 4.80%

Question: The base of a raita dip is creamy, dreamy, and always there for your curry burns. What is it?

Answer: Yoghurt

Question: What color does paneer rock on the cheese runway—keeping it simple, classy, and fresh?

Answer: White

Question: A Keralan Sadhya feast can seriously feed a village—up to how many different dishes on the banana leaf?

Answer: 28

Question: Sambar is a tangy, veggie-packed lentil curry with soul—where does it originate?

Answer: Tamil Nadu

Question: Paneer soda isn’t cheese-flavoured (thank goodness)—what floral twist gives it fizz?

Answer: Rose

Hard Indian Cuisine Trivia

Question: What supergrain from Karnataka skips the gluten drama?

Answer: Millet

Question: In Bihar, what fruit is known as kadam—not a dance move?

Answer: Fruit

Question: What snack mix sounds like a city party in a bag?

Answer: Bombay

Question: Where does the dry 'n' spicy Chicken Sukka come from?

Answer: Karnataka

Question: What’s a jim jam in India—hint: not a boy band?

Answer: Biscuit

Question: Coconut chutney is a classic from which coastal zone?

Answer: North Malabar

Question: How does Amritsari fish get its crispy charm?

Answer: Battered and Fried

Question: How does Bhatura puff up like a golden balloon?

Answer: Deep Fried

Question: Who’s the birthday boy when Shrikhand is served?

Answer: Krishna

Question: Parippu simmers in what creamy tropical liquid?

Answer: Coconut Milk

Question: When are pakoras the crunchiest seasonal vibe?

Answer: Spring

Question: What color is Rooh Afza—vampire punch or cherry bomb?

Answer: Red

Question: Mattar Paneer = paneer + tomato + what green sidekick?

Answer: Peas

Question: Where does the royal lamb dish Kundan Kalia reign?

Answer: Uttar Pradesh

Question: What sticky fruit gives saunth chutney its sweet sass?

Answer: Dates

Question: Which city fused chow mein and curry into magic?

Answer: Kolkata

Question: Kozi Kari brings curry heat from which coast?

Answer: Cochin

Question: Maida flour comes from which everyday grain?

Answer: Wheat

Question: Little Hearts wear red and what shiny second color?

Answer: Gold

Question: Vindaloo originally partied with only one meat—what was it?

Answer: Pork

Question: Bisi Bele Bath = rice + what earthy partner-in-crime?

Answer: Lentils

Question: What grainy brew is Handia made from—not hops!?

Answer: Rice

Question: Which sweet treat claims to fight off the sniffles?

Answer: Panjiri

Question: Mattar Paneer reps which bold and buttery region?

Answer: Punjab

Question: Where in India can you eat dim sum with dal?

Answer: Kolkata