Goa is a small state located in the south-west of India and is known for its beautiful beaches, Portuguese culture and cuisine. Goan cuisine is a combination of Indian, Portuguese and other influences. The cuisine is known for its unique flavours and spices, with coconut being used extensively.
Goan food has a wide variety of dishes, from curries to seafood to desserts. Fish Curry Rice or ‘Xitt Codi’ is one of the most popular Goan dishes.
It is made with freshly caught fish cooked in a coconut-based curry sauce along with spices like chilli powder, coriander, curry leaves and turmeric. Other popular dishes include Pork Vindaloo or ‘Vinadlo’, which is a fiery pork curry dish cooked with garlic, chillies and vinegar; Vegetable Xacuti or ‘Shakuti’, which is a vegetable stew made with coconut milk; Prawn Balchao or ‘Balchao’, which is a dry version of prawns cooked in vinegar, garlic and chillies; Sorpotel or ‘Sorpotel’, which is a spicy pork dish cooked in vinegar; and Bebinca or ‘Bebinca’, which is a sweet custard-like dessert made with eggs, sugar and coconut milk.
The most famous food of Goa however has to be the Fish Thali or ‘Thali’. It consists of steamed rice served along with fish curry, pickles, chutneys and fried-fish accompaniments like kismur (fried onion) or sukke (dry fish).
This dish can be found in almost all restaurants throughout Goa as it is considered to be the staple diet for most locals. Additionally, Goans also enjoy eating various snacks such as choriz (spicy sausage), vindaloo (spicy pork stew) and samosas (deep-fried pastry filled with potatoes).
In conclusion, while there are many different types of foods that can be found in Goa due to its diverse culture and history, the most famous food has to be the Fish Thali. This dish not only represents Goan cuisine but also showcases the state’s unique combination of Indian, Portuguese and other influences.