What is a thali?

We just had to share our favourite way to eat and experience Indian cuisine, which is by making a thali. We have also added some recommendations so you can create your own thali at home and experience this traditional way of serving and eating Indian food. 

What’s a thali?

 A thali is a traditional Indian meal featuring a variety of different dishes, which will vary depending on the region. This creates a balanced meal full of flavours. The main components of a thali are:

• Curry
• Rice
• Dhal
• Bread
• Pickles and Chutneys
• Yoghurt 
• Other dishes - poppadoms, salads and sweet dishes.

‘Thali’ refers to the plate/tray that the dishes are placed on. The rice, bread and dry dishes are placed on the thali and the curries and 'wet accompaniments' like yoghurt, are served in katories - tiny bowls - placed alongside one edge of the thali. Alternatively, the meal is served on a well-washed banana leaf.

In India, a traditional thali is typically consumed using your hand, particularly the right one. The right hand is used for mixing and eating the food, while the left is for drinking and serving. This style of eating is common across India and is a way of eating a balanced meal, full of variety. 

In Rafi's Vegetarian Cookery Book, she mentions this way of eating and offers several menus for South Indian Thalis. 

Adding a few extra dishes and accompaniments to your curry night, will provide this type of eating experience and give more variety to your meal. Rafi’s son, Kevin is going to share his knowledge of the thali - 

“Serving food with various small dishes is how Mum always served her food. Even though we don’t use the traditional thali with the smaller bowls, we use this style of eating to eat a balanced meal at home. This way of eating elevates your meal and lets you experience this fundamental way of eating Indian food.”

Want to make a Thali at home?

Using a variety of our Curry Packs and Rafi’s Ranges, we thought we’d share some menu ideas for you to make your own thali at home with ease. 

Mid-week Thali (2 - 3 dishes) - Curry, Rice, Side

Try Bhuna, Pilau Rice and Carrot Salad

Weekend Thali (3 - 5 dishes) - Curry, Rice, Side, Bread, Pickle

Try Makhani, Cumin Rice, Broccoli Upkari, Chapati, Brinjal Pickle

 Dinner Party Thali (6 - 7 dishes) -  Curry, Rice, Side, Dhal, Bread, Pickle, Kachoombar

Ma's Paretal, Vegetable Rice, Bombay Potatoes, Tarka Dhal, Chapati, Garlic Pickle and Kachoombar

Traditional Style Thali (10 or more dishes) - Curry, Rice, Side, Dhal, Bread, Pickle, Kachoombar, Yoghurt, Sweet, Poppadom

Jalfrezi, Pilau Rice, Piyaz Gobhi, Sambhar, Thepla, Tamarind Chutney, Kachoombar, Yoghurt, Kheer (Rice Pudding), Madras Papads

We’d love to hear if these tips have helped you in the kitchen. Let us know your feedback on our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We love to see your curry creations, so please send us your foodie photos across.