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Perhaps a tropical climate has something to do with delicious food.
There is no other reason why Goa, probably the smallest state in India, has all this kind of attention. Leave alone the nightlife and incredible views, locals in this place have amazing cuisine styles. Nothing can be compared to the cultural food in this part of India.
Whether you go to the South or North of Goa, no one compromises on quality of food. The fact that it is within the tropics, the locals have access to a variety of natural condiments and spices that you attribute to most of the repeat visits to the state.
Coconut, fish, vegetables, Seafood, meat, and rice are the most common ingredients for the Goan cuisine styles. Kokum is a distinguishing addition to food in Goa. It is used both as a vegetable and fruit.
I must admit it was difficult to come up with this list. There is no way to compare dishes in Goa; they are all unique with different tastes. Also, everyone has their preferences. Here are some of the best dishes I could not let them to slip by;
Goan Fish curry
The sight of this curry alone will trigger your hormones. It has a delicious look and its taste is not anywhere near disappointing. It is best served with steamed rice. While fish curry can be mentioned as one, the Goan locals do not generalize anything.
Multiple varieties of fish are used in preparing the curry; it can be mackerel, Pomfret, or shark fish among others. This means a different taste depending on the fish. It is ready after hours. ( Read 20 Best Beaches To Visit In Goa and Where to enjoy the nightlife in Goa )
Prawn Balchao
Let’s start with the surprising part, the delicacy can be stored for more than a month without any artificial preservatives. It is a combination of pickle blend of ingredients mixed with special spirit produced traditionally in Goa.
The dish is popularly served with boiled rice or bread, culturally known as “pav.” Most people confuse prawn balchao with prawn tickle; they have the same appearance on the plate but the flavor and taste are completely different.
Fish Recheado
Goa will surprise you with a crispy and brown fish served with salad. The dish is prepared by stuffing recheado paste into Pomfret and fried with onions. The golden brown color is the focus on the experts in Goa.
In this part of India, it is not just about the taste and flavor but also the appearance on the plate. “Recheado” is a Portuguese word to mean stuffed. Make sure you taste this when you visit Goa next.
Chicken Xacuti
There are millions of ways chicken is prepared in Goa but most people go for Xacuti. It is best described when it is on your table because of the multiple spices. It is the most famous chicken dish in India with its origin in Goa.
While the spices are like the Punjabi curry powder components as well as the same elements used in Garam masala, Xacuti remains unique. The chicken is seasoned with poppy seeds and star anise.
Chicken cafreal
Whenever you are in Goa, make sure you ask for this chicken delicacy. It will be worth the trekking to a specific restaurant for this dish. It is a blend of Portuguese and Goan cuisine.
Besides the careful selection of pieces, the green spicy taste together with the artificial aroma from spices makes it a popular dish in Goa.
Pork Sorpotel
It is a common dish in all Catholic homes, especially during Christmas. The preparation style and whole inspiration are from Portuguese culture. It is served after the third or fourth day.
After the first day, it is warmed for a few minutes every day till the fourth day when it is ready for serving.
Mussel Rawa Fry
Snacks in Goa cannot be compared to any other unhealthy foods around the world. It is a crispy dish seasoned with alcohol. The inside is tender and delicious. The outside is crispy.
While you can eat it directly after deep fry to feel the rawa butter, most of the locals prefer to add green chutney or tomato Ketchup for a more tasty bite. What a snack.
