Uttarakhand Cuisine: 16 Lip-Smacking Dishes You Must Try During Your Trip In 2025!
Indian Cuisines are famous worldwide for their unique blend of spices and mouth-watering flavours. The delicious flavours attract people from all over the world. People often visit India to experience the taste of such aromas. Uttarakhand is one such state in India that serves you up with that extra-delicious – creative savoury, which must be appreciated for its amazing delicacies and subtle flavours.Uttarakhand is famous for ideally using the Panch Phoron or the five spices and other spices. Uttarakhand Cuisine offers a highly tempting blend of piquant spices with ultra-fine aromatic flavours. While having a joyful trip to the famous hill stations of Uttarakhand, feel the presence of the traditional food of Uttarakhand that has attained global popularity.
Top 16 Dishes From Uttarakhand Cuisine
Uttarakhand is famous for its views and for the food it offers. From main course items to sweet dishes, every dish of Uttarakhand speaks for itself. Let’s discuss the famous food of Uttarakhand, which remains as enchanting as the state itself.
- Kafuli – Mouthwatering Dish
- Bhang Ki Chutney – Flavorful Experience
- Phaanu – Lip-smacking Delicious
- Baadi – Traditional Food
- Aaloo Tamatar Ka Jhol – Taste And Nutrition
- Kandalee Ka Saag – Must Try Dish
- Chainsoo – Delicious
- Dubuk – Tasty Meal
- Aloo Gutook – Excite Your Palate
- Jhangora Ki Kheer – Tasty Dessert
- Thhatwani – Nutritious And Flavorful
- Garhwal Ka Fannah – Protein Rich Dish
- Kumaoni Raita – Beat The Heat
- Gulgula – Sweet Affair
- Arsa – Sweet Tooth
- Singori – Sweet Delicacy
1. Kafuli – Mouthwatering Dish
Taste the famous blend of green leafy vegetables in the form of Kafuli, which is the most traditional food in Uttarakhand from the Pahari cuisine. It is offered to all guests and is loved by the Pahari inhabitants as much as travellers seeking to taste something unique. It is an amalgamation of green leafy vegetables, a rich source of healthy nutrients. Two main ingredients that are required to prepare such dishes are spinach and fenugreek leaves. Both are added and cooked in the pot, followed by salt and spices. Kafuli is popularly known as the State Food of Uttarakhand. It is served with gravy made out of rice or wheat paste and water.
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2. Bhang Ki Chutney – Flavorful Experience
Uttarakhand is mainly a mountainous region, so a mixture of different food tastes is available here. Any cuisine of Uttarakhand will quickly reflect and carry a pinch of tangy flavours commonly liked by the locals. One such dish, Bhang Ki Chutney, delivers the tangy tamarind taste. It remains a famous food of Uttarakhand that is to be tasted as the locals recommend to travellers. It is served as a sauce made from different spices and condiments. This lip-smacking savoury is served with the Pahadi food, which creates a spell on our taste buds.
3. Phaanu – Lip-smacking Delicious
Another delightful dish from Uttarakhand is Phaanu, a lovely mix of different lentils. It’s thoughtfully prepared by soaking the lentils overnight in water, resulting in a comforting, soupy meal. Traditionally, it pairs wonderfully with rice, creating a satisfying experience. Phaanu truly has the magic to charm your taste buds!
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4. Baadi – Traditional Food
Baadi truly shines as the most beloved dish of Uttarakhand! Not only is it celebrated for its delightful flavor, but it also boasts all the essential nutrients our bodies need. This wonderful combination of taste and nutrition makes it a standout traditional food of the Garhwal region. Made from the unique black kwada ka aata, it’s best enjoyed with Phaanu for an unforgettable meal!
5. Aaloo Tamatar Ka Jhol – Taste And Nutrition
Aaloo Tamatar Ka Jhol is one of the evident attention grabbers amongst all the palatable dishes from the popular cuisine of Uttarakhand. A highly tempting blend of incredible aroma and mouth-watering flavours, it can be prepared in the least time, which is the unique speciality of this tremendous dish. It is as easy as the people of Uttarakhand simple yet awesome. You need to steam some potatoes. Curry of tomatoes along with onions is prepared separately. This famous food of Uttarakhand will surely make you feel fresh after the demanding excursion of the whole day.
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6. Kandalee Ka Saag – Must Try Dish
Uttarakhand Cuisine meticulously chooses the delights’ taste buds to make the most use of the available resources in the state. What if you get splendid flavours and all essential nutrients in the same delicacy? Yes, Kandalee Ka Saag offers all the piquant aromatic spices and proper vitamins critical for your immune system. Primary ingredients impart the taste and flavour to almost all food items of the Uttarakhand that including leafy vegetables and major local spices. Kandalee Ka Saag is a green leafy veggie prepared like other green vegetable dishes. However, its main ingredient, Bichhu Ghas, makes it different from the rest of similar dishes.
7. Chainsoo – Delicious
One of the most popular recipes in the Garhwal region, namely Chainsoo, is prepared from the Urad Dal. A popular Uttarakhand Cuisine will contain the bulk of protein and essential nutrients. Chainsoo, due to its higher protein content, might take some time to digest, but still, this delicious savour deserves a try! Toasting the lentils initially and then making a fine paste is the foremost step in preparing this delicacy. You enjoy the aromatic flavour of Uttarakhand’s famous food,, especially because of its unique cooking method of keeping it in an iron kadai on a slow flame.
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8. Dubuk – Tasty Meal
If you have to pick the tastiest meal out of all the delicious dishes and the perfect state food of Uttarakhand, try Dubuk. Enjoying the title of one of the most popular foods of the Uttarakhand, Dubuk is helpful for your stomach and can be easily assimilated. It is ideally served with rice and Bhang Ki Chutney, making it subtle in taste and carrying a twist of Tang, too. To prepare it, Bhat Ki Dal or Arhar Ki Dal is converted into a fine paste, followed by slow cooking in a kadhai. It is commendable, especially during wintertime. Dubuk lovers reap the benefits of its mesmerising taste throughout the year.
9. Aloo Gutook – Excite Your Palate
Aaloo Gutook is a purely mesmerising recipe from the famous cuisine of Uttarakhand similar to its people—simple yet incredible one. It is specially made for all occasions like birthdays and family functions. This popular food of Uttarakhand entices everyone just to savour it. Undoubtedly, it can be declared as a regional food of Kumaon, yet it becomes the food for the heart when served with the Bhang ki chutney, Pooris and famous Kumaon Raita. Every house in Uttarakhand has its own way of making it, yet all of them maintain amazing delicacy. Prepared with steamed potatoes and garnished with red chillies and coriander leaves, this dish at least deserves a try during a trip to this state.
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10. Jhangora Ki Kheer – Tasty Dessert
Indians are habitual of having some sweet after the square meals and Garhwali cuisine too practice that tradition. Taste the regional yet unique sweet namely Jhangora Ki Kheer whose aroma is awesome. A famous recipe of the state, its main ingredient Millet makes it distinct. Milk acting as the main ingredient makes it rich in texture and nutrition.
11. Thhatwani – Nutritious And Flavorful
Make sure you taste one of the tastiest recipes from the Uttarakhand Cuisine namely Rus or Thhatwani which is a blend of lentils and spices.It is highly rich in the nutrients and remains a famous food of Uttarakhand to try at least once.
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12. Garhwal Ka Fannah – Protein Rich Dish
This dish is considered as a staple diet in Mussoorie. The dish is not only delicious but is also appealing enough to feast your eyes. Be it any small occasion a large gathering of people, or a restaurant on every nook and corner, this dish will find its place in the menu. It is a famous dish of Uttarakhand and will leave you asking for more.
13. Kumaoni Raita – Beat The Heat
Just like Bhang ki Chutney accompanies every dish of Uttarakhand cuisine, Kumaoni Raita is also found with every dish in Uttarakhand. Prepared with curd, turmeric, and cucumber; Kumaoni raita is a dish that you will relish and ask for more. While ingredients play their role in maintaining health, the divine taste keeps the mouth-watering.
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14. Gulgula – Sweet Affair
Gulgula is a delectable sweet which is popular not only amongst the locals but tourists as well. The dish can either be consumed as a snack or a dessert. It is made using very basic ingredients, primarily jaggery. Gulgula is now famous in many parts of North India as a delicious dessert.
15. Arsa – Sweet Tooth
Arsa is a sweet dish that has made its place in every household in Uttarakhand. It is a famous dish of Uttarakhand. This sweet dish of Uttarakhand cuisine is delicious and low on calories, making it popular amongst the diet-conscious generation. No occasion or festival is complete without the presence of Arsa on the food menu.
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16. Singori – Sweet Delicacy
Image Credit: Vinaysharmahbd for Wikipedia
Locally also called Singodi or Singauri, this is considered a sweet dish in Uttarakhand, which is made of Khoa. The unique thing about this sweet dish is that it is wrapped and served in a Maalu leaf. It can be found in Almora, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
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Before planning your trip to Uttarakhand, you should have a well-planned itinerary of where to go and what to explore. But don’t forget the amazing dishes from Uttarakhand cuisine to make your travel experience worthwhile and get to know the Pahadi culture better!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Uttarakhand Cuisine
What is pahadi cuisine?
The word 'Pahadi' comes from 'pahad', which means mountain. In India, Pahadi food offers a delightful glimpse into the rich food habits and culinary traditions of communities residing in the beautiful mountainous regions of the Himalayas, including Kumaon, Garhwal, and parts of Kashmir. This cuisine truly stands out with its unique ingredients and cooking methods!
What is Kumaoni food in Uttarakhand?
Kumaoni food reflects the traditional cuisine of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, India. The food culture, shaped by the area's geography, climate, and lifestyle, includes dishes crafted to suit the rugged terrain. The cuisine is simple, hearty, and flavorful, featuring fresh, local ingredients.
What is the most popular street food in Uttarakhand?
Here's a quick list of popular street foods in Uttarakhand: 1. Aloo Ke Tikki 2. Samosa 3. Chaat 4. Pahadi Kachori 5. Momos 6. Dahi Bhalla 7. Thukpa and many more.
What is Uttarakhand national food?
Kafuli, also known as Kapaa, is a delightful dish, made with wholesome spinach, lai, and fenugreek leaves, making it a perfect treat to warm you up. It is mostly known as the state food of Uttarakhand.
What is the famous sweet of Uttarakhand?
One delightful sweet treat you must try from Uttarakhand is Singori. This traditional dessert is made with rich khoya (reduced milk), a touch of sugar, and fragrant cardamom, all beautifully wrapped in a betel leaf for a truly unique presentation. It holds a special place in the hearts of many in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
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