An Indian kitchen is more than just the masala dabba you see a desi mom use as she cooks. It's actually full of unique tools, cookware, serveware, and drinkware that makes cooking and enjoying Indian food so much easier.
You may recognize several tools or notice slight modifications to something that's already in your kitchen that improves on the design for a specific purpose. There may also be several items you've never seen before but will find it handy for Indian cooking and even other cuisines!
![A collage of kitchen equipment with the post title.](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Indian-Kitchen-Tools-Guide.jpg)
So welcome to Kitchen Tools for an Indian Kitchen! You'll find that I have provided an incredibly comprehensive list of tools used in most Indian homes to cook and serve food. The essentials will help you make the best flatbreads, curries, desserts, and fried foods.
If you've always wondered what some of the serveware was that you saw at a restaurant or someone's home, which wok to get, or you're ready to upgrade some of your kitchen tools then you've come to the right place!
You can directly click some of the photos and links to check out exact items I recommend and have in my own kitchen. You can also shop my Amazon Storefront's Desi Kitchen List!
Jump to:
- Cookware
- Kadhai / Karahi (Indian Wok)
- Traditional Wok
- Jhaara (Frying Utensil)
- Chimta (Tongs)
- Tadka Pan
- Stainless Steel Saucepan
- Rice Cooker
- Instant Pot
- Tawa
- Dutch Oven
- Kitchen Tools and Appliances
- High Speed Blender
- Garlic Press
- Mesh Strainers
- Colander
- Cutting Board
- Knife Set
- Box Grater
- Food Processor
- Cooking Food Thermometer
- Charni
- Sancha Machine
- Stand Mixer
- Jalebi Cloth / Squeeze Bottle
- Chakla / Belan
- Mortar and Pestle
- Spice Grinder
- Masala Dabba
- Spice Jars
- Mason Jars
- Serveware
- Kulhad
- Lassi Glass
- Karahi Serving Dish
Cookware
Kadhai / Karahi (Indian Wok)
![Kadhai / Karahi (Indian Wok)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jCe+nAaBS._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
![bhatura being fried in oil and beginning to puff](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Bhature-First-Side-Fry--683x1024.jpg)
Traditional Wok
![Traditional Wok](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jDT92RrPL._AC_SL1208_.jpg)
Jhaara (Frying Utensil)
![Jhaara (Frying Utensil)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71LWtKG2lqL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![five lightly golden brown dahi vadas in a slotted spoon](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Fried-Dahi-Vada.jpg)
Chimta (Tongs)
![Chimta (Tongs)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31R1TSLFEtL._AC_.jpg)
Tadka Pan
![Tadka Pan](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DifG2MP1L._AC_SL1200_.jpg)
Stainless Steel Saucepan
![Stainless Steel Saucepan](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SMJNcCAgL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![four golden brown vadas frying in a metal pot with oil](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dahi-Vada-Frying.jpg)
Rice Cooker
![Rice Cooker](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/817lMSUldHL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Instant Pot
![Instant Pot](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71FOIBG5f2L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Tawa
![Tawa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61UmOwsP4SL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Dutch Oven
![Dutch Oven](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BBnj+8SwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
![lentils in a staub cocotte ready to be cooked](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Cook-Brown-Lentils.jpg)
Kitchen Tools and Appliances
High Speed Blender
![High Speed Blender](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-f3EpuvGL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![Cilantro-Mint Chutney Ingredients in a blender and blended smooth.](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Cilantro-Mint-Chutney-Ingredients-1.jpg)
Garlic Press
![Garlic Press](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+zYE-cIYL._AC_UX450_UY450_SR450,450_.jpg)
Mesh Strainers
![Mesh Strainers](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71nA60+a7ZS._AC_SL1471_.jpg)
![pouring chai through a sieve into a cup](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Pouring-Chai.jpg)
Colander
![Colander](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71NTu8Ap87L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Cutting Board
![Cutting Board](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/7163uPgzsTL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![cutting honeycrisp apples into rings with a knife on a cutting board](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Cutting-Apple-Jalebis.jpg)
Knife Set
![Knife Set](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61PabfJDMKL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Box Grater
![Box Grater](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BrOK9OijL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Food Processor
![Food Processor](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81XUWvXbqPL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Cooking Food Thermometer
![Cooking Food Thermometer](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61VevQm2BoL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Charni
![Charni](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61CMANUSKkL._AC_SL1056_.jpg)
Sancha Machine
![Sancha Machine](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519zwaIatAL._AC_SL1100_.jpg)
Stand Mixer
![Stand Mixer](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81uN2AtHvdL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![dahi vada batter in a kitchenaid whipping for aeration](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Whipped-Dahi-Vada-Batter.jpg)
Jalebi Cloth / Squeeze Bottle
![Jalebi Cloth / Squeeze Bottle](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519suGP39wL._AC_SL1200_.jpg)
Chakla / Belan
![Chakla / Belan](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BJIAW3MTL._AC_.jpg)
![using a rolling pin to roll out a circular premade pie crust in a sheet tray](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rolling-out-Pie-Dough.jpg)
Mortar and Pestle
![Mortar and Pestle](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Gm5UxktLL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![smashed chai spices in a mortar and pestle](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Smashed-Chai-Spices.jpg)
Spice Grinder
![Spice Grinder](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71REXNqXZqL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
![a spoon lifting chai masala out of a spice grinder](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Chai-Masala-in-Spice-Grinder.jpg)
Masala Dabba
![brass masala dabba filled with spices](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Masala-Dabba-150x150.jpg)
![brass masala dabba filled with spices](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Masala-Dabba.jpg)
Spice Jars
![Spice Jars](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/619fx15vm5L._AC_SL1001_.jpg)
Mason Jars
![Mason Jars](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61FMgX4paQL._AC_SL1152_.jpg)
Tandoor
If you have the ability to have a tandoor in your backyard, please invite me over.
I've found that most Indian households don't really use their oven! Most things are cooked stovetop. However, tandoors are clay ovens that are lit with charcoal or wood and used for cooking or baking. Their temperature can sometimes reach 900°F and will stay pretty consistent for hours.
Tandoors can be used to cook meat like tandoori chicken or kebabs. It's also used to make naan by sticking the naan to the side of the tandoor. The absolute best part is with the food gets a little charred on the edges while they're also slightly smoked from the juices dripping.
Serveware
Kulhad
![Kulhad](https://i.etsystatic.com/24777722/r/il/38cb3c/3093571185/il_570xN.3093571185_ggc7.jpg)
![masala chai cups in a platter with sugar, parle g, and cardamom](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Masala-Chai.jpg)
Lassi Glass
![rose lassi in a vintage lassi glass in a brass tray](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Indian-Rose-Lassi-150x150.jpg)
![rose lassi in a vintage lassi glass in a brass tray](https://masalaandchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Indian-Rose-Lassi.jpg)
Karahi Serving Dish
![Karahi Serving Dish](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91u8dV+kFGL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
R Maheswara Reddy says
It is very useful to beginners in Hotel field
Thanks
Vivan V Saxenaa says
I loved this information but I don’t have a tandoor so what should I do?
Shweta Garg says
You don’t need one.
Mariel says
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this. Thank you so much!
Shweta Garg says
Aww yay I’m glad!! 🙂