Your first trip to an Indian grocery store is easier than it looks — you really only need about ten things to cook most everyday Indian food at home. Start with a few whole and ground spices, a bag of rice, a couple of dals, atta for roti, ghee, and onions, garlic and ginger. Get those, and you can make dal, sabzi, rice and roti from day one. Here's exactly what to put in your cart at Anoras Cash N Carry on Fairfax, and what you can safely skip until later.

What should a first-timer buy at an Indian grocery store?

Think in five groups: spices, rice, dal, flour, and fats/aromatics. That's the backbone of a home kitchen. A simple starter list:

• Whole spices: cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, and a good garam masala
• A bag of basmati rice
• Two dals to start — toor (for everyday dal) and moong (light and quick)
• Atta for roti — Aashirvaad is the standard for a reason
• Ghee and a neutral cooking oil
• Onions, garlic, ginger, green chillies and fresh curry leaves from produce

Takeaway: buy the backbone first. You can cook for a week off this list alone.

Which spices do I actually need to start?

Not the whole wall — five will carry you a long way. Cumin seeds and mustard seeds for tempering, turmeric for almost everything, red chilli powder for heat, and one all-purpose garam masala (MDH and Everest are the trusted names). Add coriander powder and kasuri methi once you're comfortable. Buy small sizes at first — spices are best fresh, and you'll learn what you reach for.

Takeaway: five spices beat fifty. Start small and restock what you finish.

How much rice, dal and atta should I buy?

For one or two people, a 5–10 lb bag of basmati lasts a while, and it keeps well. For dal, a 2–4 lb bag each of toor and moong is plenty to start. Atta comes in big sacks because roti is a daily thing in many homes — but if you're new, a smaller bag lets you find your favorite before you commit to a 20 lb one. Everything here is shelf-stable, so it's fine to stock up.

Takeaway: buy rice and dal in medium bags, atta small until you know your routine.

What can I skip on the first trip?

Plenty. You don't need every specialty flour, ten kinds of pickle, or a freezer full of ready meals yet. Skip the niche ingredients a single recipe calls for until you're actually making that recipe. One pickle or chutney, one bag of snacks to try, and some paneer or yogurt is more than enough extras for week one.

Takeaway: resist the full-cart urge. Build your pantry over a few visits, not one.

Where can I buy all of this in Los Angeles?

At Anoras Cash N Carry, 567 S Fairfax Ave, in the Fairfax District — we carry every item on this list, from a single jar of spice to a 20 lb sack of atta, across 3,000+ Indian and international brands. New to it all? Tell someone what you want to cook and we'll walk you to the shelf. If you're within 10 miles, we also deliver, so you can start your first Indian grocery order without leaving home.

Takeaway: start with the backbone list, ask questions, and build from there — that's how every home cook starts.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy on my first trip to an Indian grocery store?

Start with cumin and mustard seeds, turmeric, red chilli powder and garam masala; basmati rice; toor and moong dal; atta for roti; ghee and oil; and onions, garlic, ginger and curry leaves. That covers dal, sabzi, rice and roti.

Which Indian spices are essential for beginners?

Cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, red chilli powder and a good garam masala. Those five handle most everyday cooking.

Do I need special flour for roti?

Yes — use atta (whole-wheat chapati flour), not all-purpose flour. Aashirvaad is a reliable everyday choice.

Where can I buy Indian groceries for beginners in Los Angeles?

Anoras Cash N Carry at 567 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 stocks everything a beginner needs, with staff who'll help you find it, plus delivery within 10 miles.