India
Missi Roti
Gram flour (besan) mixed into wheat flour roti; spiced.
Misal Pav
A bowl of misal with red oil at the rim, a dry drift of farsan on top, the pav set beside it. Heat with depth, late crunch, sharp acid, each kept apart until the hand brings them together.
Misal Pav Puneri
Pune-style misal, slightly milder, topped with poha (flattened rice) and farsan.
Misal Pav Kolhapuri
Extra-spicy Kolhapuri style with fiery red gravy (tarri).
Mirchi Bada
Large green chili stuffed with spiced potato, battered and fried. Can be eaten in bread.
Methi Paratha
Paratha with fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) mixed into dough—slightly bitter, aromatic.
Medu Vada
Savory fried urad dal donut; crispy outside, soft inside. Eaten with sambar/chutney.
McAloo Tikki
McDonald's India's famous aloo tikki burger; spiced potato-pea patty, tomato, onion, veg sauce.
Masala Toast
The clang gives it away before the smell does: a blackened hinged iron press over a footpath cart, spiced potato and green chutney clamped inside and charred over coals. The press is the whole point.
Masala Dosa
Dosa filled with spiced potato masala (potatoes, onions, mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric), served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Manchurian Sandwich
Veg manchurian (fried vegetable balls in spicy sauce) in sandwich.
Malai Tikka Roll
Creamy malai tikka (cream-marinated chicken) wrapped in paratha.
Malai Chaap Sandwich
Soya chaap (textured soy protein) in creamy marinade, grilled, in sandwich.
Makki di Roti
Cornmeal flatbread; winter staple, served with sarson da saag (mustard greens).
Lukhmi
Flaky pastry with spiced minced meat filling; Hyderabadi samosa-like snack.
Luchi Aloor Dom
Luchi (Bengali puri) with dum aloo (slow-cooked potato curry).
Ladi Pav
Cluster of pav baked together in 'ladis' (rows), torn apart to serve.
Laccha Paratha
Layered flaky paratha (not stuffed); multiple thin layers give crispy texture.
Kutchi Dabeli
Original Kutch-style preparation, often considered most authentic.
Kulcha
Leavened flatbread from Punjab; maida (refined flour) dough with yogurt and baking soda, stuffed with various fillings, baked in tandoor ...
Kulcha Chole
Kulcha served with chole (spiced chickpea curry)—the classic pairing.