SUNNY SEASIDE GOA: GOA FOOD BLOG by Samhitashis Majumder

Since Goa is located on the west coast of India, along the shore of the Arabian Sea, Goan cuisine is dominated by spices and flavours. The staple food of Goa is rice and fish curry. Most of the dishes incorporate coconuts, rice, fish, pork, meat and local spices like kokum. The cuisine of Goa is mostly dominated by seafood which includes shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish. Goa was a Portuguese colony prior to 1961, and hence, the Portuguese influenced most of their food.

Here is a list of 18 Must-Try Dishes That Exemplify Food of Goa

1. Goan Fish Curry

Goan fish curry or the Xitti Kodi is the staple diet of every Goan making it a famous food of Goa. The Goan fish curry is loaded with various spices along with coconut. Raw mango is also used to give the dish a tangy flavour. The main ingredients of the dish are a decent-sized Pomfret and raw mango. Instead of Pomfret, Kingfish may also be used. This Goan dish is served along with rice.

2. Chicken Cafreal

Cafreal chicken is a spicy green coloured dish that will leave your mouth watering. Grinding green chillies, herbs and various spices together make the masala for the chicken. Then, the chicken is mixed with this masala and fried. This Goan dish does not require anything on the side but it may be served with salads.

3. Goan Pork Vindaloo

'Vin' comes from the word vinegar and 'ahlo' means garlic in Portuguese. It is said that this Goan food was previously called Vindahlo but because of the use of potatoes, folks started calling it Vindaloo (aloo means potatoes). The dish consists of pork, onions, chillies, garlic along with Vinegar and other spices. Masala is prepared using the chillies and other ingredients and is then mixed with meat and vinegar. This mixture is stored overnight. The dish is then friend using onions and other herbs.

4. Chicken Xacuti

Chicken Xacuti consists of poppy seeds and Kashmiri red chillies. This is yet another Portuguese influenced famous Goan food. The Goan curry consists of chicken, potatoes, onions, coconuts, chillies, and other spices. Kashmiri chillies are specifically used as they give intense hot flavour and also give colour to the dish. This is one of the most popular Goan Food.

5. Shark Ambot Tik

Ambot Tik is a Portuguese influenced Goan food. 'Ambot' means sour and 'tik' means spicy. Red chillies (Kashmiri) are used to add spice to the dish and Kokum (Garcinia indicia) is used to make the dish taste sour. Shark fish is diced and tossed with onions, tomatoes and masala.

6. Sorpotel

'Soro' is a Konkani word that translates to alcohol or liquor. Sorpotel (also known as sarapatel) is a famous food of Goa. Pork and beef or mutton liver are used for this dish. The meat is parboiled and the fat is fried. Onions, garlic and the masala prepared are added along with other spices and herbs. Sorpotel can be consumed any time of the day, however, some people prefer it to have it for breakfast.

7. Feijoada

This dish is a stew of red beans and pork. Goan feijoada is a Portuguese influenced recipe. Salted pork, masala and red beans are combined and fried to prepare this dish. Coconut milk may be added instead of water for the gravy as coconut milk will add a unique flavour and give a thicker consistency. Goan feijoada is served with rice or pois.

8. Sorak

Sorak is a simple vegetarian curry made especially during the monsoon season in Goa. Curry consists of spicy masala with onions and tomatoes. Sorak is best enjoyed with hot steaming rice or dry fish.

9. Samarachi Kodi

Samarachi Kodi is a dish prepared during the monsoons. It is a dry prawn curry. Dry prawns, onion, coconut, tamarind and tomatoes are the main ingredients which a friend with a spicy, tangy masala. Coconut milk is added to give it the typical flavour and texture. Some also use Bombay ducks instead of prawns. Samarachi Kodi is served best with hot rice and pickle. 

10. Prawns Xeque Xeque

Prawns Xeque Xeque is a classic Goan dish of prawns, coconut milk, tomatoes, green chillies and onions. The masala is mixed with prawns and added to sauteed onions, garlic and tomatoes. The coconut milk is added gradually. This Goan dish can be accompanied with Sannas, dosas or fugias.

11. Patolea

Pronounced as 'pathayo', Patolea is a sweet dish that may also be consumed along with tea. For the dish, Goan red rice is used with tamarind leaves (Haldi ka patta). A filling of coconut, Goan jaggery, and cardamom is made and stuffed inside the leaves (that have been lined with rice paste)  and the leaves are then folded or wrapped and steamed for 20 minutes.

12. Crab Xacuti

Crab Xacuti is a famous dish of Goan Food. The preparation of this dish is similar to that of Chicken Xacuti. But the claws of the crab need to be carefully removed and the crabs are then to be boiled for 15 minutes before proceeding. Eggs may be added to the curry to make it thicker and fluffy in consistency.

13. Bebinca

Bebinca is one of the most famous and loved dessert of Goa. It is a multilayered cake that is prepared using coconut milk, sugar, eggs and flour. The batter is poured into the pan and backed layer bay layer before lining it. The dish uses caramelised sugar and not just normal sugar giving the dessert a rich flavour.

14. Fish Recheado

'Recheado' means 'stuffed' in Portuguese. Another Portuguese influenced dish, this dish consists of pomfret stuffed with tangy masala and onions. This dish may be served with warm Goan bread. 

15. Goan Khatkhate

Goan Khatkhate is a Goan vegetable stew. Toor dal and Channa dal are mixed with various vegetables like carrots, potatoes, green beans and drumsticks. Spicy coconut paste made out of Kashmiri red chillies and grated coconut is added along with other spices. The dish is famous among the Konkani community in Goa. The stew is served with rice after adding ghee on top of it.

16. Sannas

Sannas are the Goan idlis. These idlis are different from normal idlis as these idlis have a sweet coconut flavour and are made from Goan rice. Sannas compliment most of the Goan dishes.