When you start exploring the menu in Indian restaurants, you may find that it’s difficult for you to find proper dishes for your first try of Indian cuisines. (Even me) After being dizzy with the name of uncommon dishes for some times, “Thali” could be one of the good choices for you as it’s a selection of various dishes serving as a complete meal. :)
Actually, Thali refers to plate and generally made of metal, which Thali meal is served on. So the term “Thali” could refers to a plate and also a meal set served on a single plate as I mentioned above. (No needs to pick the dishes. Easy! Hehe)
Moreover, Thali meal offers all the 6 different tastes that mentioned in Ayurveda i.e. sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and pungent which are essential for a balanced meal and body. (That’s cool!)
Dishes served in a thali is different from region to region. Here in Bangkok… you may find the restaurants offer you a choice of North/South Indian Thali or Veg./Non-veg Thali. However, it’s pretty difficult for me to get to know the original state of each Thali as every state has its own version.
Anyway, dishes serving in a Thali in general will be rice, Roti, curry, Sabji (Veg. dish), Papad (Lentil chip), Dahi (curd), Chutney (sauce), pickle and dessert.
PS. The pic of Chicken Curry Thali was taken at Sri Ananda Bhavan only