A Food Lover’s Guide to Rajasthan: What to Eat & Where

Being a foodie in Rajasthan is like having a cupcake on a plate. Yes, the cuisine of Rajasthan is as royal and colourful as its people; the food is widely popular for its strong flavors, extensive use of lentils and gram flour. The arid region’s absence of fresh vegetables spurred innovative application of dried ingredients and emphasis on foods that would remain for several days. A gastronomic journey through Rajasthan is a real delight, from the decadent and aromatic curries to the crunchy street food and sumptuous sweets.

Must-try food in Rajasthan:

1. Churma Dal Baati – A signature dish that defines the state’s culinary identity and is undoubtedly the star highlight of Rajasthani cuisine. The thali contains –

Dal – a spicy lentil stew, typically prepared with a blend of 5 different dals.
Baati – baked balls of hard wheat flour that are cooked in an oven or over a fire. The baati is deeply soaked in pure desi Ghee, and it is cracked before serving.
Churma – a crumbly sweet blend of crushed baati, sugar or jaggery and a lot of ghee.

This is a delicious harmony of textures and tastes, created by the union of the sweet churma, baati smeared with ghee and spicy dal. Every travelling tourist must give it a shot.

2. Laal Maas – Red Mutton Curry or Laal Maas is a non-vegetarian delight. Mathania red chillies are used to give it a perfect color and relatively mild heat. A dainty and very flavorful dish, perfectly embodying the spirit of the state’s royal kitchens, the mutton is simmered long and slow in a yoghurt sauce flavoured with a combination of spices.

3. Gatte ki Sabzi – A popular Rajasthani vegetarian curry, Gatte ki Sabzi consists of gram flour (besan), dumplings (gatte,) which are steamed, fried, and served with a tangy yoghurt and spicy sauce. It’s a flavorful and creative dish whose complex flavor profile makes up for the lack of fresh veggies.

4. Ker Sangri –

Wild berries and desert beans are grown in the arid climate and are utilized for preparing this popular Rajasthani snack. It has a characteristic sour and pungent taste when prepared with oil and spices. It is a perfect example of the state’s resourceful cooking and is a staple in most families here.

5. Pyaaz Kachori and Mirchi Bada –

The street food of Rajasthan is a must-try. Best enjoyed hot with a side of tamarind chutney, the pyaaz kachori is a crispy, deep-fried pastry stuffed with a spicy onion combination. Large green chillies are stuffed with a potato mixture, dipped in a gram flour batter and deeply-fried to create the spicy and crispy delight.

6. Sweets & Desserts –

Ghewar is prepared using flour and immersed in sugar syrup. This disc-shaped dessert has a texture akin to honeycomb. It’s mainly famous during festivities like Teej and is garnished with dry fruits or rabri, sweetened condensed milk.

Mawa Kachori is made up of flour, milk and cardamom and is a deep-fried dessert looking like pancakes, often served with rabri. It’s a popular holiday food.

Moong Daal Halwa is prepared with sugar, ghee and yellow lentils. A great treat that tastes and melts very well in the mouth. It’s quite labour-intensive and best prepared during the winter months.

Famous Restaurants in Rajasthan:

Jaipur: The Pink City of Rajasthan is famous for the cuisines that are traditionally enriched. Chokhi Dhani is a great place for having a real dining and cultural experience. A traditional Rajasthani thali is served here at this ethnic village resort, where you can also enjoy puppet shows, camel rides and folk dance. Head to Jodhpur Mishthan Bhandar in New Sanganer Road for its famous Pyaaz ki Kachori and other snacks for the best street food. Another famous place for snacks and sweets like ghewar is Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar in Johari Bazaar.

Udaipur: The City of Lakes present a wonderful contrast of royal cuisine and quaint street food. Enjoy great Rajasthani thalis at restaurants like Ambrai or Udaipur’s City Palace complex, which also present marvellous views alongside the cuisine. For a more relaxed experience, head to the street food around Fateh Sagar Lake or Bapu Bazaar.

Jaisalmer: The food in this desert city is popular for reflecting the local landscape. Try the local specialities, including Ker sangri and dal baati, often prepared using a blend of desert spices. Many rooftop restaurants in the fort prepare traditional food and offer great views.

Jodhpur: Popularly known for its Marwari cuisine, Jodhpur is a great place to have a rich and spicy thali. Try out local restaurants and dhabas to experience the maximum authenticity. For a traditional sweet dish, try out the popular Mawa Kachori from any local sweet shop.

Conclusion –

Everybody says, “No trip would be complete without trying some traditional cuisines of any destination you are travelling.” Rajasthan’s past, geography and preserving people are all mirrored in the food. In Rajasthan, every dish has a history to speak, be it the simple gatte ki sabzi or the royal laal maas. The combination of hot and spicy, sweet and savoury makes for a gourmet dining experience that will be remembered forever.

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