The desert land of India is renowned for its aromatic spices and a delicious fusion of multiple ingredients. Each famous dish of Rajasthan is a reminder of its long-living culinary heritage. What makes the state’s food dishes particularly unique is its geography, too! Most dishes are inspired by the arid climate of Rajasthan, where the supply of green vegetables is limited.
The foods you try today are a part of people’s intelligence that blend tantalising flavours despite the absence of everyday veggies. From heritage restaurants to homely dhabas, the usage of curd, milk and ghee is evident. Now that you must already be experiencing hunger for mouth-watering dishes, let’s check the best ones to try during your trip.
Famous Dish of Rajasthan: Check the One That Tantalises You
1. Dal Baati Churma
Ask anyone and you shall know how Dal Baati Churma is the most famous dish of Rajasthan. Baati is basically prepared with hard rolls of wheat baked over fire until perfect. The dal is made with a mix of toor, chana and moong lentils. Crush Baati with your hands and top it with dal along.
Add a generous amount of ghee for a balance of flavours. The hearty meal is certain to provide you with warmth and the feeling of wholesomeness! Go to any of the restaurants in Jodhpur, as you can find this speciality everywhere. It is ideal to book affordable hotels in Jodhpur for convenient exploration.
2. Gatte ki Sabzi
You cannot mention Rajasthani food without mentioning Gatte ki Sabzi. It is a heavenly delight prepared in different ways. Gatta is made with gram flour. These dumplings are cooked in a yoghurt-based curry along with cumin, asafoetida and coriander powder.
What’s so special? This famous dish of Rajasthan is truly tantalising despite the absence of fresh vegetables. Such a delicacy thrives in the desert area where vegetables can be limited due to the harsh climate. It is best to book hotels in Jaipur and head to Chokhi Dhani, Spice Court or Suvarna Mahal.
3. Laal Maas
Laal literally translates to the red colour! So, you can expect it to be spicy, fiery and all red. Laal Maas is particularly popular for non-vegetarians, as it is prepared with goat meat. Unlike other chillies, this one is prepared with Mathania red chillies.
Did you know Laal maas was once a favoured dish of Rajput warriors? All thanks to the usage of curd, giving it an ideal balance. Make sure to savour this famous dish of Rajasthan in Jaipur, Udaipur or Jodhpur. You can easily find Treebo hotels in most cities at affordable prices.
4. Ker Sangri
Ker Sangri is certainly an authentic dish found in the desert region of the state. Sangri is a bean-like vegetable, while Ker is originally a wild berry. Both grow in the desert area, thereby making it a famous dish of Rajasthan. Interestingly, both ingredients are sun-dried before the actual preparation.
Ker and Sangri are rehydrated before preparation for their long-lasting freshness. The dish is made with a generous amount of mustard oil along with rich spices. Usage of dry mango powder gives it a tangy flavour alongside the spicy kick. This famous dish of Rajasthan is specifically known to be fresh even without refrigeration.
5. Mohan Maas
If you like savouring royalty, Mohan Mass has to be on your list! It is a top-notch and famous dish of Rajasthan. Unlike Laal Maas, this one is prepared with a fusion of milk, cream and khoya (milk solids). It also includes the usage of aromatic spices, including cardamom, cloves and cinnamon.
If you are at one of the hotels in Udaipur, head to 1559 AD Restaurant or Tribute Restaurant for this one. Similarly, if you are vacationing at one of the hotels in Jaipur, the Leela Palace and Suvarna Mahal are the best options. Pair the dish with rice or roti for a delightful combination.
6. Bajre ki Roti
You cannot really talk about any famous dish of Rajasthan without mentioning Bajre ki Roti. It is the most popular and a staple dish of the region. The hearty flatbread is made with pearl millet flour (bajra). The minute you eat a bite, you can certainly taste the earthy flavours.
Do you know it is traditionally hand-patted into thick discs? It is then cooked on a clay tandoor. You can enjoy this with dollops of ghee and red garlic chutney. Some also love jaggery or gatte ki sabzi with roti. It is a common dish; hence, you can find it almost everywhere during winter.
7. Kachoris
You must have known kachoris as a snack for evenings or mornings. However, the case is all different when we talk about the desert state. Kachoris are a daily indulgence that locals enjoy with tea. You can obviously find them in most festivals of Rajasthan. They are best known for their crisp texture and unique fillings.
Interestingly, kachoris are not restricted to any one filling. You can enjoy onion filling in pyaaz kachoris, specifically mixed with cumin, fennel and chilli powder. It is best to book hotels in Jodhpur or hotels in Jaipur, as pyaaz kachoris are popular in these cities.
Another popular variety of this famous dish of Rajasthan is Dal Kachori. Filling is prepared with lentils and served alongside potato curry or chutneys. If you love something sweet, go for mawa kachoris, as they are stuffed with mawa (sweet milk solids), dry fruits and cardamom. Now that you know the world of kachoris, book your tickets to try them now!
8. Ghevar
The intricate architecture at museums in Rajasthan is certain to mesmerise you! But have you ever thought of a traditional sweet known for its intricacy? Yes, we are talking about Ghevar! It is the most famous dish of Rajasthan, prepared during Teej and Raksha Bandhan. This traditional sweet also has different variants with malai or mawa.
Ghevar is popular across the state however, you can reserve hotels in Jaipur as the city has Laxmi Misthan Bhandar and Rawat Misthan Bhandar. Needn’t worry if you are at one of the hotels in Bikaner; you can head to Chhotu Motu Joshi Sweet Shop or Bikanervala. Garnished with saffron and dry fruits, it sure is a mouthwatering delicacy!
9. Rajasthani Kadhi
Who said everyday food cannot be popular? Rajasthani Kadhi is one such famous dish of Rajasthan, loved by locals as well as tourists. It is best known for its tangy, spicy yoghurt-based curry, which you can find in everyday meals.
You can reserve hotels in Ajmer or hotels in Pushkar, as many small dhabas and cafes prepare delicious kadhi. Similarly, you can visit Gypsy Dining Hall in Jodhpur or Natraj Dining Hall in Udaipur for the best preparation. The light texture and cooling curd base make it a perfect dish for the desert region.
10. Churma Ladoo
You cannot miss ghee-laden churma ladoo when in Rajasthan. It is a traditional sweet prepared during festivals and special occasions. The ladoo is made with whole wheat flour, which is shaped into small dough balls or discs. These are then baked or fried and later crushed into a fine powder known as churma.
The churma is mixed with hot ghee, jaggery and cardamom powder. At times, they are garnished with dry fruits. What’s next? The churma is then shaped into round ladoos by hand. Being the famous dish of Rajasthan, you can savour its taste in almost all cities.
11. Moong Dal Halwa
Here is another famous dish of Rajasthan, ready to immerse you in scrumptious flavours. Moong Dal Halwa is a top-rated choice when we talk about the state’s beloved sweets. It is prepared by soaking moong dal, which is then slow-cooked in pure ghee. The dal is then blended with milk, cardamom and sugar.
No wonder this combination makes a delightful treat. Interestingly, moong dal halwa is a flavourful street food in Jaipur. You can even find it in legacy stores and authentic restaurants of the city. Garnished with dry fruits, this halwa is a luxurious and aromatic sweet reflecting Rajasthan’s culinary heritage.
12. Papad ro Saag
This famous dish of Rajasthan is beyond the ordinary. Papad ro Saag is an invention of the desert land where vegetables are limited. As the name suggests, it is made using crisp lentil-based papads. Papad is simmered in a spicy yoghurt-based gravy. As the papads soften, you get to try curd-laced masala bites.
If you are at one of the hotels in Jodhpur, visit Janta Sweet Home to Midtown Restaurant. Chokhi Dhani and Thali & More are popular eateries in Jaipur. For the ones travelling in Bikaner, Gallops Restaurant and local dhabas are experts in preparing Papad ro Saag.
13. Besan Gatta Pulao
You must have heard of multiple pulao and biryanis. However, this one is different! Besan gatta pulao is a wholesome combination of gatta and rice. Gatta is prepared with gram flour and boiled to perfection!
These gattas are then mixed with rice alongside spices and onions. This famous dish of Rajasthan is a fusion of flavours with protein-rich gram-based gatta. You can easily pair this with raita or kadhi. It is best to book hotels in Bikaner or budget-friendly hotels in Jodhpur to try this delicacy.
14. Malpua
Malpua might just be another sweet dish for you, but it is a royal indulgence for people in Rajasthan. The dish is a celebration on the plate. It is prepared with maida, khoya and aromatic fennel seeds and fried in pure ghee. They are then drenched in a saffron- and cardamom-laced sugar syrup.
If you wish to try the best Malpua, reserve affordable hotels in Pushkar, as it is also known as the Malpua capital. You can visit Pushkar Bazaar, Sarvadia Misthan Bhandar and multiple halwai shops near Brahma temple. No wonder this famous dish of Rajasthan is loved by royals too!
15. Kalakand
Combinations of milk and ghee are pretty common in the state. No wonder Kalakand is a top-rated sweet dish, defining the state’s love for sweets. It is specifically known for its milky taste and grainy texture. Once it is thick and fudgy, it is flavoured with cardamom.
Alwar city considers Kalakand to be a gesture of welcoming guests with warmth. You can visit Baba Thakur Das and Sons or Alwar Sweet Home. It can also be found in Jaipur at Rawat Misthan Bhandar and Bombay Misthan Bhandar. If you are one of the hotels in Jodhpur, head to Shri Mishrilal Hotel or Janta Sweet Home.
16. Machaali Jaismandi
If you love seafood, Maachli Jaisamandi has to be on your list. It is a royal fish curry loved by locals as well as tourists. Interestingly, this famous dish of Rajasthan is inspired by the Jaisamand Lake near Udaipur. It features tender fish fillets marinated in a green chutney of mint, coriander, garlic and chillies.
The marinated fish is lightly fried and simmered in a yoghurt gravy. It typically includes yoghurt, cream and cashew paste. You get to enjoy velvety fried mint leaves or ginger juliennes alongside. It is best to pair this famous dish of Rajasthan with rice or naan. Make sure to book budget-friendly hotels in Udaipur for authentic flavours of this delight.
17. Mirchi Vada
Get ready for a burst of flavours as you try mirchi vada. It is truly a famous dish of Rajasthan, generally enjoyed as a spicy snack. It is known for large green Bhavnagri chillies stuffed with a tangy potato filling. The dish is then seasoned with cumin, coriander and amchur (dry mango powder). The chillies are dipped in a gram flour batter and deep-fried until golden.
The smooth texture on the inside and crisp on the outside makes it a beloved dish. You can also try tamarind and mint chutneys with this one. Did you know it is one of the most popular street foods in Bikaner? To enjoy this delicacy, it is best to book affordable hotels in Bikaner for a pleasant time.
18. Balushahi
Ready to treat yourself with a drooling sweet? If yes, you need to try this famous dish of Rajasthan. Yes, we are talking about Balushahi! It is made with flour, ghee and a hint of cardamom. The combination is deep-fried, which is then dipped in sugar syrup.
Do not judge it by its appearance. It is golden and flaky on the outside while being soft inside. Each bite feels heavenly when garnished with pistachios or saffron. It sure is a touch of grandeur to your meal. You can easily book one of the Treebo hotels in any of the cities in Rajasthan to savour this delicacy.
Enter the World of Flavours!
Every famous dish of Rajasthan is here to soothe your soul with its pungent flavours. From appetising vadas and kachoris to delectable sweets, the state has so much for food connoisseurs. No matter the city, you can find the above delicacies in most nooks and corners of Rajasthan. So, get ready for an adventure of palatable seasonings.
