What does MSG taste like, and what else makes me thirsty besides MSG and salt?

The food I get in Indian restaurants does not taste particularly salty to me, but since my ankles inevitably swell afterwards, I had my suspicions. Then, a world-traveling friend, who enjoys many cuisines and has taken cooking classes IN India, told me it uses a high level of salt.

To me, MSG tastes of umami. IME, foods being rich in umami does not necessarily mean they are thirst-inducing.