Types of Naan: The Complete Guide to Indian Breads in Adelaide

Few things make an Indian meal feel complete like a basket of fresh bread. Naan is soft, lightly charred and made for tearing and scooping, but it’s only one of many breads on the table. At Rasoi & Barrel, we bake a wide range of breads fresh to order, so this guide walks through ten types of Naan, what makes each one different, and what to eat it with.

10 Types of Naan and Indian Bread

1. Plain Naan

The starting point for any bread menu. Plain naan is made from refined flour, yoghurt and yeast, then baked in a tandoor until soft and lightly blistered. Its mild flavour lets the curry take centre stage.

Best with: dal, chole, or spicy curries like madras.

2. Garlic Naan

Plain naan topped with garlic and butter before baking. It’s fragrant without being overpowering, and it’s one of the most ordered breads in any Indian restaurant.

Best with: butter chicken, korma and paneer dishes.

3. Butter Naan

Naan finished with butter as it comes out of the oven, so it turns glossy and rich. Our Rasoi Butter Naan is made with multiple layers, so it pulls apart in soft, flaky sheets.

Best with: dal makhani and other creamy, mild curries.

4. Cheese Naan

Naan baked with melted cheese, loved by kids and adults alike. Ours also comes as cheese garlic naan for extra flavour.

Best with: mild curries, or on its own as a shared starter.

5. Cheese Chilli Naan

Cheese with a hint of green chilli. Try the cheese chilli garlic naan if you want all three flavours in one bread.

Best with: milder dishes like dal makhani or paneer butter masala, so the heat doesn’t pile up.

6. Keema Naan

Keema means minced meat, and in this bread it’s spiced and stuffed into the dough before baking. It’s filling enough to be a light meal by itself.

Best with: a cooling raita and a simple salad.

7. Paneer Kulcha

Kulcha is a soft, leavened bread made from refined flour, often stuffed. Paneer kulcha is filled with seasoned Indian cottage cheese, making it a hearty vegetarian choice.

Best with: chole or a simple dal.

8. Peshawari Naan

A sweet naan from the Peshawar region, traditionally filled with nuts, raisins and coconut. It’s closer to a pastry than a savoury bread. It isn’t on our menu, but it’s worth knowing if you see it elsewhere.

9. Lachha Paratha

Paratha is folded and rolled with butter or oil to create layers. Lachha paratha comes out crisp outside and flaky inside, and its layers soak up sauce beautifully. It’s made with whole wheat flour, so it’s a bit lighter than naan.

Best with: saucy curries and dry vegetable dishes.

10. Tandoori Roti and Tawa Roti

Both are thin whole wheat breads without any yeast. Tandoori roti is baked in the clay oven for a smoky edge, while tawa roti is cooked on a flat griddle. They’re lighter than naan, which makes them a good everyday choice.

Best with: dal, vegetable curries and grilled dishes.

Naan vs Roti vs Kulcha vs Paratha at a Glance

Naan at Rasoi & Barrel

Our bread menu includes tawa roti, tandoori roti, plain naan, garlic naan, cheese naan, cheese garlic naan, cheese chilli naan, cheese chilli garlic naan, Rasoi Butter Naan, keema naan, paneer kulcha and lachha paratha. Each one is baked fresh to order, so it arrives at your table hot. Take a look at our [menu] to see what pairs with your favourite curry.

Where Does Naan Come From?

The word naan comes from the Persian word for bread, and it has been a staple across Central and South Asia for centuries. Some of the earliest written mentions of naan in India date to around 1300, in the writings of the Indo-Persian poet Amir Khusrau. Traditionally it was baked in a tandoor, a clay oven heated to very high temperatures, which is why real tandoor naan has that blistered, smoky surface.

How to Choose the Right Bread

• New to Indian food? Start with garlic or plain naan.
• Want something richer? Go for butter naan or lachha paratha.
• Vegetarian? Try paneer kulcha, cheese naan or roti.
• Ordering for a group? Mix it up: one plain or garlic naan for scooping, one layered bread, and one stuffed bread to share.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of naan?

Common types include plain, garlic, butter, cheese, keema, and peshawari naan. Related breads include kulcha, paratha and roti.

What is the difference between naan and roti?

Naan is leavened, made with refined flour and baked in a tandoor, so it’s soft and fluffy. Roti is unleavened and made with whole wheat flour, so it’s thinner and lighter.

What is the most popular naan in Indian restaurants?

Garlic naan is one of the most commonly ordered, especially with butter chicken.

Which naan goes best with butter chicken?

Garlic naan or butter naan, since both soak up the creamy sauce well.

What is lachha paratha?

A layered whole wheat bread made by folding and rolling the dough with butter or oil, giving it a crisp outside and flaky layers inside.

Is naan vegetarian?

Most naan is, but it contains wheat and dairy. Keema naan contains meat. Please tell our team about any allergies or dietary needs when you order.

Where can I get fresh naan in Adelaide?

Visit us at Rasoi & Barrel, or order online for takeaway.

Come and Try Our Breads

The best way to understand the difference is to taste it. Book a table or order online and try a fresh naan with your favourite curry at Rasoi & Barrel.