10 Indian Foods Featured In "Never Have I Ever"

    To consume while watching Season 2.

    Nicolle Ma
    by Nicolle Ma

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Sambar

    Kamala's potential in-laws chat online with Devi's mother. Devi's mother explains that Kamala's favorite recipes to cook are sambar, idli, and dosa
    Netflix

    When Kamala and Devi's mom, Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar, talk to Kamala's potential in-laws, Devi's mom says, "What she loves to do is cook. Kamala, tell them about some of your favorite recipes." After Kamala answers, "Tater-tot nachos," Devi's mom swiftly intervenes, saying, "What she meant to say was sambar, idli, dosa. All the classics. You name it, she can cook it."

    Devi's mom and dad are walking on the lawn in front of their potential new house. Devi's dad has his arm around Devi's mom as he talks about what they can do living in this house
    Netflix

    During a flashback of Devi's mom and dad looking to buy a home, Devi's dad told her mom, "We could plant a little garden here, grow fresh tomatoes for thakkali sambar, and our children could get married right here on this lawn. And when we grow old, we can sit on the porch and shake our fists at the skateboarders."  

    Sambar has been described as a soup, stew, or porridge made from lentils, vegetables, and tamarind. It can be served with rice, idli (see #2), or dosas (see #3).  

    2. Idli

    Three idlis, which are white in color, are garnished with coriander leaves and served on a white plate
    Rbb / Via Getty Images

    Idli (also spelled as idly) is a soft, steamed, and savory rice cake made from a batter consisting of lentils and fermented rice. Some recipes use rice rava (which is also known as idli rava).

    3. Dosa

    A woman holds her phone while sitting at a table which has dosa on it
    Edward Alphonso / Via Getty Images/EyeEm

    A dosa is sometimes described as a thin, crispy, and savory crepe. It consists of lentils, rice, and black gram, among other ingredients. It can be accompanied by a chutney or sambar (see #1).

    4. Pulihora

    Devi's mom and Kamala sit down at a cafeteria table to eat lunch. They each have a plate of food and a drink in a gold plastic cup a on a red tray
    Netflix

    When Devi's mom and Kamala sit down to eat during Ganesh Puja, pulihora is shown on their plates. Tamarind, kokum, lentils, peanuts, and curry leaves are some of the ingredients in pulihora. Some recipes also include a green mango or lemon.   

    Pulihora has many different names, such as pulinchuru, puliyogare, puliyodarai,  kokum rice, and tamarind rice. It is served during festivals and special occasions. 

    5. Chana Masala

    Chana masala is topped with cilantro and served in a white bowl
    Rocky89 / Via Getty Images

    Chana masala is also shown on Devi's mom and Kamala's plates, which they eat during Ganesh Puja. Chana is a kind of chickpea that is firmer, smaller, and more flavorful than other chickpeas even after being cooked. Garam masala (which is a particular blend of spices), garlic, ghee, tomatoes, coriander powder, onions, and turmeric are some of the ingredients in this dish. Toppings include coriander leaves.

    Chholay, chole masala, chhole masala, chole, and channay are some other names for this dish. 

    6. Palak Paneer and Saag Paneer

    Palak paneer, which is green with white cottage cheese (paneer), is in a black bowl and on top of a light gray napkin. Spices, cilantro, cinnamon sticks, and herbs surround the bowl and are contrasted against a gray background
    Elena Yeryomenko / Via Getty Images/500px Plus

    Based on the brief glimpses of the food, it is difficult to definitively determine whether palak paneer or saag paneer is on Devi's mom and Kamala's plates during Ganesh Puja. Palak paneer only has one kind of vegetable in this dish: spinach. In contrast, saag paneer involves leafy green vegetables such as mustard greens, spinach, other bitter greens, or a mixture of them according to some recipes. (Saag is also spelled as saga or sag.) Paneer is a kind of fresh, unaged cottage cheese made from buffalo or cow milk.

    7. Samosa

    Devi is sitting at a cafeteria table. Her tray has chocolate milk and samosa, among other foods. She is wearing a blue sari with gold jewelry
    Netflix

    While celebrating Ganesh Puja, Devi sits down at a table where her mom and cousin Kamala are already eating. They each have a samosa on their plate.

    Kamala and Devi's mom stand in front of the island in the kitchen. Samosas, a salad, and other foods are on the island. The oven, green cabinets, a white sink, and windows are behind them
    Netflix

    When Kamala and Devi's mom stand in the kitchen preparing themselves for  Prashant's arrival, there is a plate of samosas as shown in the left-hand corner of the image.

    Six samosas with mint and mango chutney are on top of white paper
    Nitin Kapoor / Via Getty Images/Food Collection

    A samosa is a fried or baked savory pastry (there are different variations) that can have fillings such as onions, potatoes, and peas. It can also have lentils or meat like chicken.  

    8. Roti

    Kamala picks up a roti. She is wearing a red, blue, and gold sari
    Netflix

    Roti is also known as chapati in certain places in India. A roti or chapati is a circular flatbread made from water and whole wheat flour. Some recipes involve cooking it on a roti griddle called tawa (sometimes spelled as tava) the entire time, while others cook it on the tawa and then place it directly over the flame until it puffs. It can be eaten with dal, curries, and vegetables, among many other foods. 

    9. Pistachio Kulfi

    Prashant hands Kamala a plate of rotis as he talks about pistachio ice cream
    Netflix

    Prashant tells Kamala during lunch, "I thought I came to America for the great education, but I think my favorite part might be the ice cream. There are so many flavors here. Way more than just pistachio." Kamala responds, "My favorite part is that traffic is separated into two directions. It's adorable."

    Kulfi is a frozen dairy dessert that is creamier and denser than ice cream. Pistachio is considered one of the classic kulfi flavors. Kulfi can be placed in molds or placed in clay or earthen pots to make matka kulfi (among many other ways to serve it). It traditionally involves simmering sweetened milk, and ice crystals usually form during the freezing time. Kulfi does not melt as easily as ice cream because of its density. Some recipes add chopped pistachios to the pistachio kulfi. 

    10. Chai

    Devi, wearing a white shirt, green cardigan, and green plaid skirt, asks her uncle and Prashant, who are seated at the table, if they want chai in the living room
    Netflix

    Devi is tasked with distracting her uncle and Prashant while Devi's mom and Kamala sneak Steve out of the house. Devi says, "Hi. Would either of you care to have your chai in the living room?"  

    A cup of chai surrounded by ingredients like star anise and cinnamon sticks and contrasted against a dark grayish-purple background.
    Oksana Mizina / Via Getty Image

    Chai means tea. A cup of chai involves black tea, sugar, and milk. Masala chai involves those ingredients and also includes other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Some recipes also involve black peppercorn. Other variations of chai also include ginger or fennel seeds.