Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system says that every spice and herb, depending on its characteristic has an effect on the mind and body, i.e. you are what you eat.  Indian cuisine is characterized by a great variety of foods, spices, herbs and cooking techniques.  Each religion, region, and caste has left its own influence on Indian cuisine.  Many recipes first emerged when Vedic Hindus predominantly inhabited India.

In 1968, the Maharaja Group was established in Tokyo to introduce authentic Indian cuisine in Japan.