Top 10 dishes in Goa which you should treat your taste buds to

The cuisine of Goa has been shaped by the confluence of various cultures over the years. The end result has been a fiery, lip-smacking and authentic Goan cuisine. This cuisine is characterized by its liberal use of spices and condiments, which is quite natural, considering the fact that this state falls under a tropical climate.

Some of the standard ingredients used in Goan cuisine are rice, fish, seafood, meat, vegetables and coconut. Kokum (a kind of fruit), is another ingredient which finds its presence in nearly all the dishes of this region. Goan cuisine therefore, wins hearts and admirers in large numbers. This blog brings you the top 10 dishes in Goa which you should treat your taste buds to.

1. Goan Fish Curry

One of the joys of visiting Goa is tasting authentic Goan fish curry. This is essentially fish curry served with steamed rice. The fish used in this curry varies from mackerels, shark fish, pomfret etc. It’s an absolutely delicacy! The process of making this curry is quite simple and tastes best when consumed after a few hours.

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2. Prawn Balchao

Prawn Balchao looks a lot like prawn pickle. Like the Goan Vindaloo, this delectable dish has a unique taste and flavor, and can be stored for over a month. “Balchao” refers to a pickle-like blend of ingredients combined with “feni” (a spirit produced exclusively in Goa). This dish is best served with “pav” (bread) or boiled rice.

3. Fish Recheado

On your next tour to Goa, be sure to taste Fish Recheado. “Recheado” means stuffed in Portuguese. If one were to explain it simply, it’s a Pomfret stuffed with a spicy recheado paste and fried with onions till it assumes a golden brown color and feels quite crisp. This dish is best had with rice and salad.

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4. Chicken Xacuti

Chicken Xacuti, or “Shakuti”, as it’s often called, is one of the most famous recipes of Goan food. This delicious dish is infused with generous amounts of various spices, and is one of the most famous chicken recipes of the region. The spices used in preparing this dish are similar to those used in Punjabi curry powder and Garam Masala (hot spices), with the addition of star anise and poppy seeds.

5. Chicken Cafreal

On your next delightful Goa vacation, try out Chicken Cafreal, a dish which is an amalgamation of Portuguese and Goan cuisine. This wonderful dish is usually prepared with chicken leg pieces. However, what makes it utterly enticing and delectable is the vibrant green spicy paste, along with a wonderful blend of aromatic spices.

6. Shark Ambot Tik

Shark Ambot Tik is a sour and spicy curry which is quite common in every household in Goa. Shark is used in the preparation of this dish because it has chunky flesh with just a single bone. The shark fish, along with the masala paste used to prepare this dish, lends it a unique flavor. This special dish is best served with Goan boiled rice, or even better, Goan pav (bread).

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7. Pork Sorpotel

In your list of things to do in Goa, don’t forget to try out Pork Sorpotel. This dish, inspired by Portuguese traditions, finds its presence in every Catholic household in Goa during Christmas. Its said that sorpotel tastes the best on the third or fourth day, after it has been warmed once a day till the day it is served.

8. Mussel Rawa Fry

Mussel Rawa Fry is the all-time favorite snacks of the people of Goa. Deep fried in rawa batter, it serves several functions, from the crunchy appetizer to the side snacks served with alcohol. It tastes best with tomato ketchup or green chutney. Crisp from the outside and tender from the inside, it’s an extremely tasty dish.

[Also read Enchanting Beaches in North Goa for your Vacation]

9. Caldeirada

Caldeirada is another dish which has its roots in the Portuguese cuisine. Essentially, it’s a fish stew which consists of several varieties of fish in it. If you happen to love sea food, this is one dish which you will particularly enjoy and appreciate. This lovely dish goes best with Portuguese rolls.

10. Pork Vindaloo

Take a trip to Goa with tour packages to Goa, and treat your taste buds to Pork Vindaloo. This traditional Goan pork dish, flavored with a liberal amount of chillies, vinegar and garlic, is both spicy and tangible, thus making it a favorite of food lovers. This delectable dish has its origins in the Portuguese settlers of the early 18^th century.

Vishwajit Sharma

A travel writer by profession possessing an avid interest in books, movies and music, Vishwajit Sharma believes that travelling is essentially discovering yourself. He hopes that, through his articles and write ups, the idea of travelling is aroused in everyone. Let the journey begin!