Rajasthan is a true kaleidoscope of bright colors. Along with heritage, culture, bustling bazaars, and magnificent palaces & forts of Rajasthan, one of the major attractions is the rich & mouth-watering cuisines of Rajasthan. From tangy veggie curries & spicy meats to yummy desserts – food of Rajasthan is for all.
To be able to relish the lip-smacking local cuisine on your next Rajasthan trip, here are the most popular Rajasthani dishes and their dominant flavors. Pick your favorites and delight your taste buds with the delicious dessert fare.
MAIN COURSE – VEGETARIAN
1. Dal Bati & Churma
As an iconic traditional food of Rajasthan – Dal Bati Churma is a hot favorite not only amongst the native people but also among the tourists. The lip-smacking dish comprises of a sumptuous combination of baked bati, dipped in ghee, panchmel or panchkuti dal, and jaggery mixed churma.
Tastes best with: Panchmel dal and melted ghee
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2. Gatte ki Sabzi & Gatte ka Pulao/Khichdi
Gatte is the local name of black gram flour (besan) dumplings. The curry or sabzi is made from a perfect combination of curd and spices, resulting in a lip-smacking tangy taste. This is a famous traditional food of Rajasthan in which the besan balls are mixed with rice and spices to cook gatte ka pulao or khichdi – equally popular and lip-smacking.
Tastes best with: Missi roti and other Indian flat breads
3. Gunde ki Sabzi
Popular as a summer food of Rajasthan, Gunde ki Sabzi is one of the most popular dishes. In the preparation, gunda or gumberry is cooked in spicy gravy with fenugreek, mustard, chilly, and chopped raw mangoes.
Tastes best with: Traditional dal chawal
4. Ker Sangri
Ker sangria is a famous Rajasthani food, quite popular in the desert districts of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. It is an amalgamation of beans and berry (ker berry and sangria bean) and is stir fried with local spices.
Tastes best with: Bajre ki roti
5. Rajasthani Kadhi
States like Punjab, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand are famous for kadhi – so is Rajasthan. The kadhi of Rajasthan offers a mixture of pungent and spicy taste and is prepared with buttermilk, gram flour, and ghee. This is a traditional food of Rajasthan, light and easy to digest.
Those who love the tangy taste must try Aamras ki Kadhi – a special variety of Rajasthani Kadhi made with mango puree, buttermilk, and besan, sprinkled with boondi and a dash of local spices.
Tastes best with: Rice and spicy potatoes
6. Methi Bajra Poori
Methi Bajra Poori is a healthy Rajasthani food, prepared in minimum oil. Bajre ke atta gives an awesome flavor to this superb street food of Rajasthan, when served piping hot.
Tastes best with: Aloo ki sabzi, chutney, and raita
Suggested Read: Shopping In Rajasthan: 10 Colorful Markets You Must Visit
MAIN COURSE – NON-VEGETARIAN
7. Laal Maas (Mutton)
When you talk of Rajasthani food, Laal Maas is one of the most popular dishes and tops the list of non-veg favorites. This awesome red meat curry is a fiery combination of mutton, hot spices, and a dash of red chilies.
Tastes best with: Hot baajra roti or piping hot plain rice
Suggested Read: 10 Exclusive Stays In Rajasthan That Will Leave You Spoilt
8. Safed Maas (Mutton)
Safed Maas is another popular and traditional food of Rajasthan, cooked in finger licking gravy of milk, cream, curd, and cashew paste.
Tastes best with: Red chili and steamed rice
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9. Bhuna Kukda (Chicken)
This is an authentic Rajasthani chicken dish – marinated with spices for a long time and cooked until tender. Bhuna Kukda is a dry gravy dish and is served with fresh coriander sprinkled on it.
Tastes best with: Ghee wali roti
Suggested Read: 20 Stunningly Colorful Festivals Of Rajasthan
SNACKS & SIDES
10. Aam ki Launji
Aam ki Launji is a famous food of Rajasthan – cooked to beat the scorching heat during summers. Prepared with raw mango, fennel, and nigella – this sweet and sour dish is a perfect accompaniment of a full course meal. Aam ki Launji can be preserved for weeks if kept in an airtight container.
See recipe here.
Tastes best with: Parathas and puris
11. Mawa Kachori and Pyaz Kachori
Rajasthan is famous for kachori and mawa and pyaaz kachori top the list. Mawa kachori is made from dry fruits & khoya, deep fried, and then dipped in sugar syrup while pyaaz kachoris are filled with the stuffing of onions, potatoes, and spices. Both are extremely famous as the street food of Rajasthan.
Tastes best with: Sweet & tangy imli chutney and spicy aloo sabzi
Suggested Read: 11 Places To Visit In Rajasthan: A Glimpse Of Rajputana Splendor
DESSERTS
12. Dilkushar
Dilkushar, also known as besan ki barfi is a traditional Rajasthani dessert made from khoya, cream, ghee, and stir fried besan. It is also is popular as a Diwali gift and may be served hot or cold.
Tastes best when: Cold and sprinkled with almonds & pistachios
13. Churma Laddoo
Remember, we spoke about churma with dal bati. The ghee and jaggery churma are often shaped as laddoos and considered as one of the most important sweet dishes of Rajasthan.
Tastes best after: A delicious Rajasthani meal
14. Badam ka Halwa
Badam ka Halwa is yet another yummilicious food of Rajasthan, especially during winters. This rich and royal sweet dish, also known as almond sheera is made from peeled almonds, milk, sugar, ghee and, cardamom powder.
Tastes best with: Chopped dry fruits and kesar sprinkled on top
15. Ghewar
Ghewar is a circular shaped sweet dish made of flour, milk, and sugar syrup. It is prepared during festivals, especially during Teej and Raksha Bandhan. There are broadly three variants that you can try – Malai Ghewar, Mava Ghewar, and Plain Ghewar.
Tastes best when: Topped with mawa, saffron, and chopped pistachios
All set to devour the finger-licking flavors of Rajasthan? Well, let us know if we missed anything!
Further Read: 20 Things To Do In Rajasthan That Make It The Ultimate Vacation Destination
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Of Rajasthan
A. The dried and powdered spices are added in Rajasthani cuisine which makes the food spicy. Spices play an important role due to the scarcity of water and fresh vegetables in the desert areas.
A. The traditional attire for Rajasthani women is called ghagra, choli and odhni. This dress comes in a variety of colours, prints and fabrics such as silk, cotton and more.
A. Shopping in Rajasthan is the best thing to do and it is all about the colourful trinkets, royal jewellery, spices, handicrafts, handloom, bandhani suits and more. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer are the popular places to go to for shopping.
A. Ghoomar, Kalbelia (Sapera or Snake Charmer) and Kathputli (Puppet) are the favourites of the tourists, out of all Rajasthani folk dances. Some examples of traditional Rajasthani culture are Chang, Teratali, Kathputli, Bhopa, Tejaji and more.
A. Hindi is a widely used language in Rajasthan. The Marwari dialect is spoken by people in the western Rajasthan.
A. The climate of Rajasthan faces extreme temperatures in both summer and winter. It generally features hot temperatures over the year.
A. Kalinga restaurant in Jodhpur and Handi and Niros restaurant in Jaipur are some of the best restaurants serving laal maas in Rajasthan.
A. Rajasthan is a popular tourist destination in India. People visit this unique city to explore the amazing food, the clothing culture here, the royalty and the different festivals and the most iconic forts and palaces.
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