Lip-Smacking Good Food in Rajasthan
Travelers and foodies are two of my favorite kinds of people. And if you are nodding your head in agreement, plus visiting Rajasthan, India anytime soon, then you are in the right place because you’ll want to know all about the food in Rajasthan!
Indian cuisine is well-known for its spices, and sweets, and Rajasthan foods in cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, etc. are all perfect examples of why.
Just like the food in Kochi, Kerala and the dishes of New Delhi, whether you love vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, Rajasthan offers you loads of finger-licking good options.
This Guide to food in Rajasthan has the traditional foods of Rajasthan, the famous dishes, and the Rajasthan sweets, so you’ll know exactly what these yummy foods are that you must try.
Let’s jump into it.
Guide to Food in Rajasthan
Laal Maas: Traditional Rajasthan Food
Let’s begin with some meaty goodness. Laal Maas is one dish all of you meat lovers reading this do not want to miss out on.
Laal Maas means red meat in English and the reason it is named so comes down to two things. The use of mutton and the fiery red color that all the chili adds to it.
Yup, it is sure to get your taste buds tingling but the most intriguing and eye-catching part about the recipe is the smoky goodness imparted via charcoal and ghee.
Grab some lassi or buttermilk with some Rotis because this mix of mutton cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices is worth a try, and your money. For the best Laal Maas, you should try visiting cities like Udaipur or Jaisalmer. Personally, I loved Al Rehmaniya Lake View Restaurant which is one of the best places to eat laal maas in Udaipur.
Chhach, Lassi, Or Jaljeera: Refreshing Indian Drink
Talking about buttermilk, even if you aren’t having Laal Maas I am sure the heat of Rajasthan is making your mouth as dry as the Sahara, right?
Well, Chhach or Buttermilk is the way to beat it (because sometimes plain water just doesn’t cut it). If you are in the mood to drink something sweet, then you should grab a lassi.
Another popular and refreshing Indian drink is Jaljeera which has a sweet and sour flavor. Any of these drinks also make great sides with breakfast, dinner, or lunch (basically, any reason and time are good enough to try them).
Daal Baati Churma: Famous Food in Rajasthan
Are you vegetarian? India is a spiritual country and there is lots of vegetarian food in Rajasthan. Daal Baati Churma is some of the best, and now is your time to try some of the most authentic versions of it.
Daal Baati Churma is made using semolina (suji) and flour. Make it into balls after stuffing it with peas, dhania, garam masala, chili powder, salt, amchoor in tandem with some hing and jeera for flavor.
Deep fry the whole thing and you get a crispy ball of yumminess. And most places serve with some spicy dip and salad which makes it one of my favorite breakfast meals.
Oh, and if you are a fitness freak, you can always find baked ones. Though keep in mind, you’ll have to pay more for those.
Mawa Kachori: Sweets From Jodhpur
After Daal Baati Churma I am sure you would be craving something sweet and Mawa Kachori is exactly the thing for the job.
Originally from Jodhpur, this is a pastry stuffed with Mawa or Khoya. This is then deep-fried, adding richness and a bit of crunch to it are the nuts it is topped with. And while these don’t add the required sweetness, a dip in sugar syrup for a few seconds is just what it needs (trust me, you’ll be hooked).
Ghevar: Rajasthan Dessert
I love desserts so I am not going to shut up about them and thankfully, Rajasthan gave me a lot to talk about like Ghevar.
The only drawback with this sweet dish is that you get it around Teej festival and isn’t sold much after that,
But in case you happen to be around during that period, you’ll want to try this with Rabdi as it amps up the flavor. The main ingredient behind it is flour and looks like a honeycomb. Mawa, Malai are then added to the top.
Also, adding to the crunchiness is a handful of almonds.
Pyaz Ki Kachori: Tasty Rajasthan Street Food
Had enough sweets? Well, if 5 PM hunger strikes and you need a snack, Pyaz Ki Kachori is worth a taste. FYI, this tasty Rajasthan street food makes a tasty breakfast as well.
It is deep-fried to make it crispy and topped with Chutney and curd so when you bite into the pastry the filling and toppings are flavor bomb in the mouth.
It is popular everywhere in Rajasthan which means you can find it on the streets as well making it an affordable dish (costs less than Rs. 50).
Gatte Ki Sabzi: Authentic Rajasthan Dumplings
Another authentic Rajasthani dish that is ideal for vegetarians is Gatte ki Sabzi and makes for an amazing lunch, especially with some Naan, Roti, Millet Roti, or Rice.
Wait, what’s Gatte? Gatte are flour dumplings. Add some spices, tomato, onions, and a little water, and you have a curry packed with lip-smacking flavors.
Another thing you’ll find Gatte in is Pulao which is rice cooked with vegetables and some spices served alongside some Moong Dal or Kadhi.
Talking about Kadhi, it's my next favorite dish.
Kadhi: Popular Rajasthan Curry
Kadhi is another curry thing that tastes amazing with rice, or any roti you can find so that’s another lunch or dinner option you have. If you can find some thalis, they might have both Kadhi and Gatte Ki Sabzi in them along with other awesome stuff.
The main ingredients for Kadhi are Besan, Mustard Seeds, Curd along with other spices while amping up the flavors are crispy Onion Pakodas that are dipped in it.
It isn’t as spicy as the Laal Maas or Gatte Ki Sabzi so perfect for you if you cannot handle an extra dash of chili.
Malpua: Rajasthan Snack
Looking for an easy-to-carry snack? Malpua is the snack for you. It is sweet and if you can find some Rabdi, it is another sweet dish that goes well with it.
But if you can’t, no worries, it still tastes pretty good. The ingredients for making Malpua include flour, milk, and Khoya which are then topped with dry fruits.
You’ll find more of Malpua in Pushkar as compared to Jaipur or Udaipur, especially during Makar Sankranti.
Kalakand: Rajasthan Sweet Treat
Crave more sweets, don’t worry, I have you covered. Soft, gooey, and sweet, that’s Kalakand or Milk Cake for you. And the reason it is so gooey and soft is the use of Mawa.
But does Mawa being the main ingredient again mean it will taste just like the other sweets?
Well, you are in for a surprise. I feel the pistachios and the Cardamom powder are the difference makers and I am sure you will agree. It is popularly used in India as a gift during festivals (just in case you are heading to a friend’s house).
Ker Sangri: Healthy Food in Rajasthan
Are you a health nut? Or maybe, you think healthy food cannot be tasty. Well, Ker Sangri will change your mind.
Ker is a wild berry with a flavor that resembles pepper while Sangri is a long bean you’d find often in desert areas so no surprises there as to why it is found in Rajasthan.
Oh, and the reason why it is considered healthy is that it is 55% protein. History suggests Ker Sangri was cooked by villagers during drought season due to this reason, especially since all other crops were destroyed.
No drought trouble now, but I am sure you’d love it with some Rotis or Rice. In the earlier times, it was made with just oil and spices and enjoyed with Bajra Rotis but the recipe has come a long way since then.
My Final Thoughts on Food in Rajasthan
So that’s the list of my favorite foods from Rajasthan. You’ll find most of these foods pretty much anywhere and everywhere in Rajasthan.
So if you are going to Rajasthan, don’t forget to include them in your bucket list.
And if you have already been there then do tell me about your favorite dishes and where you had them. I’d love to add some more yummy dishes to the list.
Read Next: Best Cheap Eats in Delhi
Till then, happy traveling and munching.
About the Author
Rachita Saxena is a travel blogger from India who has been traveling full-time for 3 years now. She shares her travel stories on her blog - Meanderwander and loves trying new food and experiences in a new destination. When she isn't traveling, she loves reading about new places and plan her next trips! You can follow her online on Instagram and Twitter as well as on Facebook and Pinterest .
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