What makes a dessert count as mithai?

Traditional mithai is typically prepared from the milk solids, sugar syrup, ghee, or a blend of all these ingredients. Some of these sweets are cooked, some dipped in syrup, and some are packed into fairly hard bars or into balls. Each different kitchen in North, South, East or West India offers its own unique cuisine, and this may result in a slightly different flavour when the same name is used.

Most mithai falls into a few broad groups:

• Sweets made from milk, like rasmalai, kheer, and peda, are light and creamy.
• Soft, sweet, and more popular are syrup-soaked sweets like gulab jamun and rasgulla.
• Fried sweets are crispy at the edges and sticky on the outside, like jalebi.
• Frozen sweets like kulfi are a good option to ice cream as they are cold and dense.

Gulab Jamun: Soft, Syrup-Soaked Comfort

Gulab jamun are soft, golden dumplings, composed of milk solids and a small amount of flour. They are prepared in a manner that makes them warm, sweet, and enjoyable to consume by frying and then dipping them in a syrup scented with the flavor of cardamom. If it is a warm kitchen, ask for warm dumplings, since the syrup tastes richer when the dumpling is still tender. They are ideal for guests who prefer a traditional and familiar sweetness.

Rasmalai: Creamy Milk Dumplings in Saffron Milk

Rasmalai is made of soft flattened paneer pieces soaked in thickened milk. Cardamom, saffron, and sliced pistachios are typically added to flavor the milk. The texture is light and chilled, making it appropriate for those who don't like thick sweets. It is a perfect accompaniment to a spicy curry as it helps to mellow the spice.

Kulfi: Dense Frozen Indian Ice Cream

Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream, which is created by slowly cooling milk down till it becomes rich. It has a higher density than most ice creams in the West and melts slower. The most popular flavours are mango, pistachio, and malai. If you are looking for a refreshing drink after a hot and spicy meal, Kulfi is perfect for you.

Jalebi: Crisp, Warm Spirals

Jalebi are crisp spirals of fermented batter, cooked in hot oil and then dipped in sugar syrup. They're delicious when fresh and hot; the exterior is crackly with the interior juicy. They can be shared and are good for groups. Serve them with a glass of masala chai for an old-fashioned duo that is loved by many Indian households.

Kheer: Slow-Cooked Rice Pudding

Rice porridge made of rice and milk with sugar and cardamom. Almonds, pistachios, or raisins are often added to many kitchens to add texture to the product. It is also very sweet, a source of comfort for those who don't like the other mithai sweets. It is also quick to take a bite, making it easy to eat slowly, ideal for a relaxed post-dinner moment.

Quick picks for first-time diners

• For a classic warm and syrupy dessert, go for gulab jamun.
• If you like milky and delicate flavours, opt for rasmalai.
• Opt for Kulfi if you're craving something cold and decadent.
• Pick jalebi if you are seeking something crisp and to share.

What makes an Indian restaurant worth visiting for dessert?

Quality restaurants in Vietnam, among the best Indian restaurants in Hanoi, tend to have certain characteristics. Their desserts are made in-house, their syrups are fresh and not too sugary, and their staff can tell you about every sweet. If desserts are a kitchen's specialty, then so are its main courses.

Use these checks before you order:

• Check the seasonal or daily changes in desserts.
• Inquire from staff what sweets are used to sweeten and if they have nuts or dairy.
• Ensure that vegetarian items are easily identified on the menu.

Finding Indian desserts near Grand Plaza Hotel

Guests who are staying near the Grand Plaza Hotel will likely want to find a nearby dessert stop after dinner. Using a map app, look for an Indian restaurant near Grand Plaza Hotel Hanoi, and read the latest reviews that include 'dessert' in the description. Describing the sweets as well as the service will provide a better sense of quality in a review.

If you visit Royal Rasoi, ask the team which sweets were prepared that day.

Which drinks pair well with Indian sweets?

The warm spices of masala chai complement jalebi, gulab jamun and barfi perfectly. The richness of coffee works well with other sweets, such as kulfi. If you want a lighter version, serve a mango lassi with rasmalai, as it goes well with the saffron and milk.

During the trip, if you are in the neighborhood, indulge in an Indian restaurant close to the Grand Plaza Hotel, Hanoi, on the way back. The advantage of this is that dessert is just a few steps away from your hotel, and at the end of the night you won't end up with a long journey.

Common mistakes when ordering mithai

When people first try a new restaurant, they tend to place too large orders at once, which can overload their palates. Sweets are very dense, so they can be eaten in small quantities. Dessert: another common error is to avoid even mentioning dessert, as food was consumed at the main course. A little kheer or kulfi at the end of the meal may be a good idea.

Last but not least, don't be afraid of asking questions. When staff are presented with a choice of two sweets, they are likely to be pleased to explain the difference in the properties of the sweets, to recommend a pairing or to advise on ingredients to avoid.

1. What is the easiest Indian sweet to try first?

The simplest one is gulab jamun. It is soft and has a cardamom-sweet syrup that will appeal to most first-timers who like dessert.

2. Are most Indian sweets vegetarian?

Traditional mithai are mainly vegetarian except for a few that are not. Please check ingredients with staff if you are allergic to nuts or eggs.

3. How much dessert should I order after a full dinner?

Share one or two small portions across the table. Sweets are rich, so a few bites satisfy most diners.

4. Can I take Indian sweets home from Hanoi restaurants?

A few places offer sweets as boxed items, but may not always have them available. Please check in advance for storage requirements and shelf life.