Indian Food for a Party: How Much to Order Per Person
How much Indian food to order per person for a party, with curry, rice and naan quantities, a balanced menu and example orders for 4 and 10 people.
Feeding a crowd with Indian food is the easy part. Working out how much to order is where most people get stuck. Here’s the guide we give customers in Bundoora and Melbourne’s northern suburbs when they’re ordering for a birthday, office lunch or family get-together.
How much Indian food per person?
For a sit-down meal where curries are the main event, plan on roughly:
- Entrées: 2–3 pieces per person (samosa, pakora, tikka, seekh kebab), or 4–5 momo if they’re the main snack.
- Curries: about 300 g of curry in total per person. In practice that’s one main dish for every 2 guests when you order a spread of 4–6 different curries.
- Rice: about 1 cup cooked per person (roughly 60–75 g uncooked). One container of rice usually feeds 2.
- Bread: 1–1½ naan or roti per person. Garlic and plain naan are always the first to go.
- Sides: one raita and one salad (kachumber) per 4–6 people.
- Dessert: 2 gulab jamun per person if you want something sweet.
If it’s a stand-up party with lots of snacks, lean heavier on entrées and momo and lighter on curries. If teenagers are coming, add 20%.
Build a balanced party spread
A good Indian spread mixes protein, spice level and texture so there’s something for everyone:
- One crowd-pleaser: butter chicken or chicken tikka masala.
- One red-meat curry: lamb rogan josh or Himalayan goat.
- One paneer dish: palak paneer, shahi paneer or karahi paneer.
- One dal: dal makhani or dal tadka, which suits vegetarians and keeps well.
- A biryani: it’s a meal in itself and stretches further than plain rice.
- Something Nepalese: a tray of momo or chicken sekuwa gets people talking.
Order most dishes mild or medium. Guests who like heat can add chilli or mirch pyaaz (onion and fresh chilli salad).
What travels well and what doesn’t
- Travels well: curries, dals, biryani and tandoori meats, which all reheat beautifully.
- Eat soon: naan and momo are best within 30 minutes. Reheat naan in a hot oven for 2–3 minutes, wrapped in foil.
- Keep crunchy things separate: chaat, pakora and bhaji go soggy if packed with sauces.
Example orders
Small group (4 people)
Our Family Pack is made for this: 4 pakora, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, 2 rice, 2 naan and raita. Add a plate of momo if you’re hungry.
Party of 10
- 2 entrée platters or 2 serves of momo plus samosas
- 5 curries: butter chicken, rogan josh, palak paneer, dal makhani and one chef’s special
- 1 biryani plus 3–4 rice
- 12–15 naan (mix of garlic and plain)
- 2 raita and 1 kachumber
Catering in Bundoora and Melbourne’s north
We do full Indian & Nepalese catering for birthdays, baby showers, weddings and corporate events, at your home or venue across the northern suburbs, or as a function at our Bundoora restaurant. Call (03) 9191 5003 with your date and guest numbers for a menu and quote. For smaller orders, order online for pickup or local delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How many curries should I order for 10 people?
About 5 different curries, plus a biryani, rice and 12–15 naan, is a comfortable amount for 10 adults.
How much rice per person for Indian food?
About 1 cup of cooked rice per person, or 60–75 g uncooked.
How far ahead should I order Indian food for a party?
For 10 or more people, call 24–48 hours ahead so the restaurant can prepare.
What Indian dishes are good for a party?
Butter chicken, rogan josh, dal makhani, a paneer curry, biryani, tandoori chicken, samosas and momo all suit a group.
Hungry now? Order online, book a table or browse the full menu. Avatar Indian & Nepalese Restaurant, 12 Copernicus Crescent, Bundoora · (03) 9191 5003.