Quick Answer: What Side Dishes go With Curry?
Some of the best side dishes to go with curry are— Roti (flatbread), Naan Bread, Samosas, Jeera Rice, Coconut Rice, Onion Bhajis, Bombay Aloo, Aloo Gobhi, Udon Noodles, Raita, Creamy Cucumber Salad, Vegetable Pakoras, Spinach Ohitashi, Yellow Rice, Soy Sauce Fried Rice, Stuffed Mushrooms and Prawn Pakoras.
Here are 17 side dishes to have with curry that will make you fall in love with gluttony. This side dish list will show you the path when you get lost while deciding what to have with curry.
Curry, especially from South Asian Countries, is loved by all. But when it is combined with a good side dish, it creates heaven on a plate.
With my experience regarding curry, I have made this list of side dishes that will take your curry eating experience to next level!
So let’s get to it!
Side Dishes for Curry – Quick Comparison
| Recipe | Total Calories (per 100g) | Total Preparation Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Roti (flatbread) | 264 | 25 minutes |
| 2. Naan Bread | 311 | 90 minutes |
| 3. Samosas | 308 | 90 minutes |
| 4. Jeera Rice | 147.4 | |
| 5. Coconut Rice | 189.7 | 25 minutes |
| 6. Onion Bhajis | 273.7 | 30 minutes |
| 7. Bombay Aloo | 95 | 40 minutes |
| 8. Aloo Gobhi | 72 | 30 minutes |
| 9. Udon Noodles | 171 | 20 minutes |
| 10. Raita | 48 | 10 minutes |
| 11. Creamy Cucumber Salad | 51 | 10 minutes |
| 12. Vegetables Pakoras | 195 | 25 minutes |
| 13. Spinach Ohitashi | 180 | 20 minutes |
| 14. Yellow Rice | 95 | 30 minutes |
| 15. Soy Sauce Fried Rice | 167.4 | 15 minutes |
| 16. Stuffed Mushrooms | 281 | 35 minutes |
| 17. Prawn Pakoras | 189 | 30 minutes |
1. Roti (flatbread)
Total calories (per 100g): 264
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Roti or Indian flatbread is a staple item in every Indian meal.
It is soft, comforting and when dipped in curry— it holds the curry beautifully in its embrace and delivers an extremely satisfying taste.
It has a neutral flavor that doesn’t overshadow the spicy taste of curry.
Quick tip: spread a little butter on top of it for adding a suave flavor.
Here is an easy recipe by Foods and Flavors-
2. Naan Bread
Total calories (per 100g): 311
Total preparation time: 90 minutes
Naan bread is a popular Indian bread to have with creamy and spicy curry.
It has a smooth flavor, fluffy and chewy texture, and when served with a bit of butter makes you crave for some more.
You can either have the naan bread in a classic manner, i.e. with a dollop of butter or you can infuse it with cheese and garlic to make it more flavourful.
Check out this easy recipe by The Cooking Foodie
3. Samosas
Total calories (per 100g): 308
Total preparation time: 90 minutes
Spicy and creamy curries are beautifully complemented by flavourful samosas.
Samosas are popular mainly because of two reasons: it has a crispy fried pastry like outer cover and a delicious savory potato and pea filling.
Curry and samosa together form a hearty meal that’ll make you burp in pleasure!
Quick tip: Serve samosas with a spicy mint cilantro chutney
Here is a tasty recipe by Yummyyy-
4. Jeera Rice
Total calories (per 100g): 147.4
Total preparation time: minutes
Rice and curry are sort of like made for each other couple. But instead of having the simple plain rice, you can jazz it up with jeera (cumin).
Jeera rice is non-sticky, fluffy, delicious, and pleasures your olfactory senses to make you salivate.
It is simple steamed rice flavored with cumin and it will blend beautifully with curry.
Check out this easy and quick recipe by HomeCookingShow-
5. Coconut Rice
Total calories (per 100g): 189.7
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Coconut rice is flavourful, aromatic, and will leave you drooling when served with curry.
Made with freshly grated coconut or coconut milk and rice, it has a very gentle taste and texture.
When served as a side dish to curry, it creates a balance with the latter’s spiciness and makes a comfortable filling meal.
Here is a quick recipe by Honeysuckle-
6. Onion Bhajis
Total calories (per 100g): 273.7
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Onions bhajis, or onion fritters, are popular Indian street food.
These are crispy fritters with tender onions inside and have a savory taste that will make you demand another round of it.
Onion Bhajis are very robust with all necessary spices which make them a perfect side dish for a curry.
Watch this easy recipe on how to make them by Prep Cook Eat-
7. Bombay Aloo
Total calories (per 100g): 95
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
It’s a typical side dish to have with curry.
Bombay aloo is a flavor thriving side dish. The potatoes are first boiled, then fried, and then bombarded with varieties of spices!
It goes great with the smooth and spicy flavors of curry and makes a satisfying meal.
Curry and Bombay aloo is the one combination you’ll crave for every weekend.
Check out this easy recipe by Glebe Kitchen-
8. Aloo Gobhi
Total calories (per 100g): 72
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Spiced potatoes and cauliflower are cooked with onion and tomatoes and have an inviting taste and aroma.
The beauty of this dish is its versatility— it can be made in any manner, ingredients can be changed, it can be dry or have gravy; all by tweaking the same recipe by a bit.
Aloo Gobhi goes with almost all Indian dishes, especially a thick spicy or creamy curry, and is finger-licking delicious.
Here is an easy and quick recipe by Food with Chetna-
9. Udon Noodles
Total calories (per 100g): 171
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
If you are planning to have some Japanese curry, then udon noodles are its perfect companion.
Usually made with tofu ‘meat’, mushrooms, or shrimps— udon noodles are umami, flavourful, and are coated with a spicy savory sauce.
When served alongside a rich, sweet, and savory Japanese curry, it gorgeously complements the latter.
Check out this tasty recipe by Marion’s Kitchen-
10. Raita
Total calories (per 100g): 48
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
It’s the most simple and easiest side dish to accompany a spicy curry.
It is curd mixed with finely diced cucumber, onion, tomato, and few other spices.
The best thing about this side dish is that it can be made plain, sweet, spicy, or savory.
While having heavy dishes, like curry, it not only balances out the flavors but also helps in proper digestion.
Watch this easy recipe by HomeCookingShow-
11. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Total calories (per 100g): 51
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
Creamy cucumber salad, as the name suggests, is creamy, light, and tasty.
Made with fresh cucumbers and red onions, it is topped with fresh dill and sour cream dressing.
It is light on the taste buds and therefore complements spicy dishes like curry.
DIY recipe—
12. Vegetables Pakoras
Total calories (per 100g): 195
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Vegetable pakoras are a savory delight!
It is crunchy and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside.
With proper spices, vegetable pakoras are the perfect partner in crime for a spicy and creamy curry.
DIY recipe—
13. Spinach Ohitashi
Total calories (per 100g): 180
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
Another side dish suggestion for Japanese curry is spinach ohitashi.
It is a simple dish, dressed with soy and sesame oil.
Made with English spinach, spinach ohitashi is a light and healthy side dish to accompany sweet and savory Japanese curry.
DIY recipe—
14. Yellow Rice
Total calories (per 100g): 95
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
It is just rice colored by spices like turmeric or saffron. Using saffron is a better option as it adds a tangy flavor to the rice and gives out a beautiful aroma.
It has a very mild flavor which makes it an excellent side dish for a spicy curry.
DIY recipe—
15. Soy Sauce Fried Rice
Total calories (per 100g): 167.4
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
If you are planning to gobble down some Singaporean curry or Chinese curry then soy sauce fried rice is the ultimate side dish to have with it.
It’s a simple salty rice dish and can be easily made in no time. Each bite of this recipe is a flavor-bomb in itself.
DIY recipe—
16. Stuffed Mushrooms
Total calories (per 100g): 281
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
Baked stuffed mushrooms are quick and easy to prepare.
Usually stuffed with cheese, herbs, and spices, they are delicious and can be made with any mushrooms of your choice.
As a side dish, they bring meaty, cheesy flavor to the table and go well with any type of curry.
DIY recipe—
17. Prawn Pakoras
Total calories (per 100g): 189
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Prawn pakoras have a crispy, crunchy outer coating that covers the tender flavourful shrimps. They make an excellent side dish for curry.
Prawns are marinated before they are fried; therefore, they get enough time to absorb the spices. Each bite of prawn pakoras is flavor robust and beyond delicious.
DIY recipe—
Appetizers That go With Curry
Curry is a filling main dish which means you need to save room in your stomach for it.
It’s better to start with something simple, like salads. You can go with Caesar Salad or Beet Salad with Arugula and Vinaigrette Dressing or a simple Creamy Cucumber Salad.
If you wish to indulge in something fried, you can have Vegetable Fritters or Onion bhajis before Indian curry.
For less spicy or light curries you can have Salt and Pepper Fries or Baked Chicken Wings.
Drinks That go With Curry
Beer goes great with curry. You can go for a normal beer, or fruity beer, or even non-alcoholic beer.
As for wine, Fruity Rosé goes with every kind of curry. Choose Vinho Verde if you are having Jalfrezi or green curries. Chardonnay pairs well with creamy or meaty curries.
Red wines like Merlot or Shiraz go well with tomato-based curries.
Cocktail suggestions for curry are— Vodka + Lemonade and Cognac + Ginger Ale.
The best non-alcoholic drink to have with curry is Lassi. It isn’t just tasty but it also aids the digestion of food. Or you can have Sweet Lime Soda or JalJeera.
Desserts That go With Curry
If you are curious to have a proper Indian dessert after some spicy curry, go with Gajar ka halwa. It is a sweet delicacy made from carrots, ghee, sugar, and cardamom.
Another dessert option after curry is Kulfi.
It is an Indian form of ice cream with a smooth and creamy, melt-in-mouth texture. You can go for Pistachio and Saffron kulfi with chopped nuts topping or Mango Rose kulfi.
Mango Rasmalai and Poppy Seed Halwa are also great options.
Other dessert suggestions would be— Peanut Butter Cookies, Tender Coconut Ice cream, Ragi Porridge, Lemon Bundt Cake, Vanilla Chocolate Ice Cream, and Swiss Rolls.
To Sum Up
We hope this wholesome guide helped you in deciding which side dish you want to have with curry.
If you have any suggestions or tips, please let us know below!
Do share this list with your family and friends.