Indian Curries Explained: Creamy, Spicy & Vegan Options at Eastern Spice
Walk into any authentic Indian restaurant and the menu can feel wonderfully overwhelming. Dozens of curries, each with its own name, its own spice profile, its own regional story. For the uninitiated, it can be hard to know where to start. For the seasoned Indian food lover, it's an exciting map of possibilities.
At Eastern Spice — Geelong's most awarded Indian restaurant — we believe that understanding what's in your bowl makes the experience even more enjoyable. So whether you're a first-timer or a returning regular looking to venture beyond your usual order, here's your guide to Indian curries: the creamy classics, the fiery favourites, and the vegan options that prove plant-based Indian food is anything but boring.
The Creamy Classics — Rich, Indulgent & Deeply Satisfying
Creamy curries are the gateway drug of Indian cuisine, and for good reason. They are rich, aromatic, and deeply comforting, with layers of flavour that unfold with every bite.
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani): Perhaps the most universally loved Indian curry in the world, butter chicken is the dish that converts sceptics into devotees. A slow-cooked tomato and cream-based sauce, enriched with butter and fragrant with cardamom, cinnamon, and fenugreek — it wraps tender pieces of marinated, tandoor-cooked chicken in one of the most satisfying sauces ever conceived. At Eastern Spice, our butter chicken is prepared the traditional way — no shortcuts, no compromises.
Korma: For those who prefer warmth over heat, korma is the answer. Originating in the royal kitchens of Mughal India, korma is built on a base of yoghurt, cream, and ground nuts — typically cashews or almonds — producing a sauce that is luxuriously smooth, mildly spiced, and incredibly elegant. It pairs beautifully with garlic naan and a side of fragrant basmati rice.
Saag Paneer / Saag Chicken: Saag, a velvety purée of slow-cooked spinach and mustard leaves, is one of North India's most beloved bases. Combined with soft cubes of fresh paneer or tender chicken pieces, it delivers a curry that is earthy, rich, and deeply nourishing. It's the kind of dish that feels like a warm embrace.
The Spicy Favourites — For Those Who Like It Hot
Indian cuisine has a long and glorious tradition of bold, fiery cooking — and at Eastern Spice, we don't shy away from the heat.
Rogan Josh: Originating in the kitchens of Kashmir, rogan josh is a slow-braised lamb curry coloured a deep, glorious red from Kashmiri chillies and aromatic whole spices. It carries a medium-to-high heat but never lets the spice overwhelm the extraordinary depth of flavour beneath it. The lamb is cooked until it falls apart — tender, fragrant, and utterly irresistible.
Vindaloo: For the heat-seekers, vindaloo is the benchmark. Originating from Goa, where Portuguese influence met Indian spice, vindaloo is a punchy, tangy, deeply flavoured curry built on a base of chilli, vinegar, and aromatic spices. It is genuinely hot, genuinely complex, and genuinely rewarding for those who can handle the fire. At Eastern Spice, our vindaloo is the real deal, not a watered-down approximation.
Lamb or Chicken Madras: The Madras curry, named after the southern Indian city now known as Chennai, is another spice-forward favourite. Hotter than a rogan josh but slightly more approachable than a vindaloo, Madras delivers bold heat alongside a sharp, tangy edge from tamarind and tomato. It's a curry that demands attention and rewards those who give it.
Vegan Indian Curries — Bold, Beautiful & Completely Plant-Based
One of the great truths about Indian cuisine is that some of its most extraordinary dishes contain no meat whatsoever. India has one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated vegetarian and vegan culinary traditions — and at Eastern Spice, our plant-based menu reflects that heritage with pride.
Dal Makhani: Dal makhani is arguably the most iconic dish in North Indian cooking — a slow-cooked blend of whole black lentils and kidney beans, simmered for hours with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices. Traditionally finished with cream and butter, our kitchen can prepare a fully vegan version that loses none of the depth or richness. It is warming, earthy, and utterly addictive — the kind of dish that makes you wonder why you ever needed meat in the first place.
Chana Masala: Chickpeas cooked in a bold, tangy sauce of tomatoes, onions, and a complex spice blend — chana masala is a dish that punches well above its weight. It is hearty, deeply spiced, completely vegan, and one of the most satisfying things on our menu. Pair it with bhatura (fried bread) or steamed rice and prepare to be converted.
Vegetable Biryani: A fragrant, long-grain basmati rice dish layered with spiced vegetables, caramelised onions, saffron, and fresh herbs — vegetable biryani is a celebration in a pot. It is colourful, aromatic, and complex, with every forkful delivering a slightly different combination of flavours and textures. It is one of the most requested dishes at Eastern Spice, and one taste will tell you exactly why.
Aloo Gobi: A simple but profoundly satisfying combination of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fresh ginger — aloo gobi is the kind of home-cooked Indian dish that reminds you that the best food doesn't need to be complicated. It is fully vegan, deeply comforting, and an absolute staple of genuine Indian home cooking.
Finding Your Perfect Curry at Eastern Spice
Not sure where to start? Here's a quick guide:
You love creamy, mild flavours → Start with Butter Chicken or Korma
You enjoy medium spice with depth → Try Rogan Josh or Saag Chicken
You want serious heat → Order Vindaloo or Madras
You're vegan or vegetarian → Dal Makhani, Chana Masala, or Vegetable Biryani are all exceptional starting points
Our friendly team at Eastern Spice is always happy to guide you through the menu, suggest dishes based on your preferences, and accommodate any dietary requirements, including halal-certified meat options and fully vegan preparations.
Come Explore the World of Indian Curries at Eastern Spice
There is a whole world of flavour waiting for you at Eastern Spice — Geelong's No. 1 Indian restaurant, right on the waterfront at Eastern Beach. Whether you're chasing creamy indulgence, fiery heat, or a vegan feast that will genuinely surprise you, our kitchen is ready.
Come hungry. Leave happy.
