Famous Food of Rajasthan

To truly absorb a country’s culture, history, and essence, you must try the local cuisine. Every country has its cuisine, but Indian food is in a class of its own. It is incredibly diverse, changing every few kilometers to reflect local culture, weather, and produce. One region of India that stands out for its traditional, authentic & mouth-watering cuisine is the royal state of Rajasthan.

The region’s rich heritage and climate have also influenced Rajasthani cuisine. The majority of the state is desert, and the scarcity of water and fresh produce has significantly affected the local cuisine. Most of the dishes have been adapted to these limitations. Lentils, flour, corn, ghee, coarse grains (bajra & millet), milk, oil, dry fruits, and spices are used extensively. Surprisingly, none of these constraints has affected the flavor, aroma, or taste of food in Rajasthan.

You’ll encounter a variety of innovative and intriguing delicacies that will leave you craving more. From savory snacks, tangy condiments, & spicy curries, to crispy bread & succulent sweets – you are never going to run out of things to try in Rajasthan. It’s not advisable to taste everything at once, as Rajasthani cuisine is rich and heavy, and the hot climate makes digestion difficult. I’ve compiled a list of 11 Rajasthani dishes you must try. Choose your favorites and prepare for a gourmet extravaganza you’ll remember for years.

1). Dal Bati & Churma

No wedding or occasion in Rajasthan is complete without the iconic Dal Bati & Churma. This traditional Rajasthani dish is widely available across the state. Even though it is challenging to prepare, it is cooked in almost every home in Rajasthan. Bati are round wheat balls, either fried or roasted in a traditional charcoal oven. On the outside, they’re crunchy, yet on the inside, they’re soft. So, how do you go about eating them? They are broken into little pieces and dipped in spicy dal (lentil curry) and ghee (clarified butter). The Baati soaked in dal can be eaten with your fingers (the traditional way) or with a spoon. Churma is served chiefly alongside Dal Bati. This delectable dessert is made by crumbling Batis and liberally sprinkling them with nuts, saffron, cardamom, and sugar/jaggery.

2) Gatte ki Sabzi

Gate ki Sabzi (vegetable) is a popular dish served all over India, but no one cooks it better than the Rajasthanis. It is supposed to be a vegetable, but it hardly uses any greens. Steamed and fried gram flour dumplings are added to a rich gravy made with curd and spices. The spicy curry seeps into the gatte, making them soft and aromatic. This delicious Marwari dish is best enjoyed with either Rotis (Indian flatbread) or plain rice. There are multiple versions of this traditional dish, like Govind Gatte and Shahi Gatte. A rice dish called Gatte ki Khichdi is also prepared using dry gram flour dumplings.

3).  Ker Sangri

A typical Rajasthani vegetable is prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Ker is a piquant wild berry, and Sangri is a long, bean-like vegetable grown in the desert areas of Jaisalmer and Barmer. Both products are stored in a dried form in all Rajasthani households. To make Ker Sangri, the two ingredients are first soaked and boiled. They are then stir-fried with raisins, dried mango, and dried red chilies, among other native spices and herbs. The spicy, acidic concoction is a kind of pickle with a long shelf life. The dish may not look very appetizing, but once you taste it, you will appreciate its distinctive flavor. A variation of Ker Sangri, also much loved, is Panchkuta. In addition to the previously mentioned items, Gunda (another wild berry) and Kumat (seeds from a deciduous tree pod) are added to make Panchkuta. Ker Sangri and Panchkuta go perfectly with Bajra ki Roti (millet flatbread) and fluffy puris.

4) Kabuli

You may not have heard about this flavorsome specialty from Jodhpur. This is a vegetarian version of the Afghan dish “Qabali” or “Kabuli.” Due to the close ties between Marwar and the Mughals, the rice dish reached the royal courts of Marwar, where royal chefs adapted it to suit the Indian palate. Jodhpuri Kabuli is considered a gourmet delicacy. Vegetables and bread are fried in ghee and simmered in a spicy curd gravy with generous use of whole spices and garlic. The fragrant curry and cooked rice are layered alternately in a heavy-bottomed vessel before being topped with dry fruits, fresh fruits, and saffron. It is then covered and cooked over low heat to enhance the flavors. The dish is aromatic, colorful, and delicious. It is similar to Biryani but differs in that the Kabuli ingredients are fried. The best place to eat Kabuli is in a Marwari kitchen or at some wedding/celebration in Rajasthan.

5)Chakki ki Sabji

Chakki ki Sabji is another Jodhpur dish that deserves inclusion on this list. The preparation of this delicacy is time-consuming and complex. You must prepare a soft wheat flour dough. Place the dough in a sieve and rinse it under running water until the starch is removed, leaving only the gluten behind. Add the spices to the gluten and beat it until it softens and becomes rubbery. Tie the chakki (gluten) into knots and deep-fry them in ghee. Add the Chakkis to a curd-based spicy curry, and you are ready. Making a fine Chakki (gluten) ki Sabji is a vanishing skill. If you are fortunate enough to visit a traditional household in Jodhpur, you may have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Chakki ki Sabzi. Otherwise, you’ll be able to taste it at restaurants or at gatherings and festivities.

6) Pyaaz ki Kachori

Walk through any crowded street in Rajasthan, and you will be tempted by the tantalizing aroma of the Pyaaz Kachori being fried nearby. Somewhat similar to a Samosa, a Kachori is a fried, round, puffed pastry made from plain flour and stuffed with a spicy filling of potatoes and onions (pyaaz). It is served with tamarind and coriander chutney. A wide variety of this snack is available throughout India, but if you’re in Rajasthan, choose the Pyaaz ki Kachori. You can find the best Pyaaz ki Kachori in Jodhpur and Jaipur. The tastiest Pyaaz ki Kachoris in Rajasthan can be found at Rawat Misthan Bhandar in Jaipur and Janta Sweet Home & Surya Namkeen in Jodhpur

7) Mirchi Bada

If you are looking for a hot and spicy snack to go with your evening tea, look no further. A large green chili is stuffed with mashed potatoes, coated in a gram flour batter, and deep-fried. Mirchi Bada is served with mint chutney and tomato sauce. Jodhpur popularized Mirchi Badas (chilly fritters), and to this day, no one does them better. Mirchi Badas from Jodhpur’s Chawdhary Namkeen are exceptional. If you enjoy spicy food, don’t miss tasting this delish street food of Rajasthan. Mirchi Badas are in high demand, and many people take them home to consume later. They must be kept refrigerated since they are perishable.

8) Ghevar

Rajasthanis are said to have a sweet tooth, and you’ll agree once you see the incredible variety of delightful sweets available there. Ghevar is a Rajasthani dessert with origins in Jaipur. A batter of refined flour, ghee, ice, and milk is used to make the disc-shaped Ghevar. The thick concoction is poured in small batches into hot ghee until it forms a smooth, circular shape. After that, the crunchy delicacy is soaked in sugar syrup and topped with saffron, almonds, pistachios, and Vark (edible silver foil). The procedure is complex, and only a few people can master the art of achieving the desired texture and shape. Ghevar can be topped with Malai (cream) or Mewa (milk solids) for added flavor. The signature sweet of Rajasthan is traditionally associated with the Teej & Gangaur festivals, but local sweet shops sell it year-round. For decades, the legendary LMB has been the go-to shop for buying Ghewars.

9) Mawa ki Kachori

A variation of the popular Pyaaz ki Kachori, but with a twist. Mawa Kachori is a sweet dish, rather than a savory one. The kachoris are filled with mawa (reduced milk) and dry fruits and herbs, then dunked in sugary syrup. If you want to sample the best Mawa ki Kachoris, Jodhpur should be your next stop. Head to Jai Ramdas Munnilal or Rawat Mishtan Bhandar in Jodhpur for the best Mawa Kachoris in town. Enjoy this lip-smacking delicacy to your heart’s content because you won’t find it anywhere else but in Rajasthan. Wait, don’t eat more than one at a time, as the Kachoris are rich and your stomach might not be used to such heavy food.

10) Pheni/Fenni

If you visit Jaipur during the winter, you must sample the delectable Pheni. It is traditionally offered during the Makar Sankranti celebration. Pheni is made using refined flour and a generous amount of ghee. The crusty dessert is essentially vermicelli fried in a round form. It is then dipped in saffron-flavored sugar syrup or served with hot milk. Making Pheni is a lengthy, intricate process that only expert chefs can master. The quality of Phenis sold by Sambhar Fini Wala is unmatched. In Bikaner, you can find Kesar Pheni, a variety of Pheni.

11) Non-veg Dishes

Rajasthan has the most significant percentage of vegetarians in India, accounting for over 75% of the population. Naturally, the state is best known for its vegetarian food and traditional desserts. However, if you’re looking for non-vegetarian options, you won’t be disappointed. Meat curries, such as Laal Maas and Mohan Maas, are popular among meat eaters. As I am a strict vegetarian, I will leave it to you to explore and learn more about these non-vegetarian dishes.

There is plenty more to taste if you are there for an extended period and wish to enjoy more of the tempting Rajasthani cuisine. You can try Rajasthani Kadi, Papad ki Sabji, Methi Bajra Poori, Aam ki Launji, Bajre Ki Roti, Lassi, Masala Chaach, and Raab. If desserts are your weakness, you’re in for a treat. Jalebi, Mohan Thal, Malpua, Balushahi, Gujia, Imarti, Kalakand, Daal Halwa, and a variety of other sweets are readily available. Please let me know which Rajasthani dish is your favorite.