The cuisine of Gujarat stands out among the rest, displaying its uniqueness in the innovative use of various ingredients. Besides being predominantly vegetarian, the cuisine of Gujarat holds the distinction for being one of the oldest in the country. The ingredients used in the preparation of the dishes, which is mostly sugar, tomatoes and lemon, is influenced in a major way by the coastal climate of the state.
What sets apart the food of this state from the others is the innovative way in which vegetables and mild spices are put to use. However, the sweet flavor, among the other flavors, is dominant in almost all the dishes, an example being the Gujrati Kadhi. The traditional cuisine of this state is high on nutritional value, despite its unique sweet-sour combination.
10 best Gujarati cuisines which you should try out
Khandvi
Khandvi, undoubtedly, is one of the best Gujarati cuisines of all time. Its essentially thin layers of gram flour cooked in buttermilk and made into delicious rolls. Thereafter, it’s seasoned with sautéed sesame seeds along with various spices. This dish is also known as suralichya wadya’ in Maharashtra. However, it can be a bit tricky to cook, so practice several times to get it right!
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While exploring the various places to visit in Gujarat, you might be overcome by the desire for a quick snack. Well, Gujarati Samosa is here to rescue you! We are all fans of the standard samosa, which consists of a delicious filling of potatoes, peas and other ingredients. The Gujarati Samosa comes with a twist. Also known as “patti samosa”, it does not use boiled potatoes. Rather, it uses raw potatoes which are chopped and allowed to cook in oil, along with cabbage.
Undhiyu
Undhiyu, the Gujarati vegetable curry, derives its name from the Gujarati word “undhu”, which means inverted. Its so-called because its prepared in an inverted clay pot. One of the best Gujarati dishes of all time, it is prepared with a combination of winter vegetables like papdi, surti, eggplant, methi and bananas, apart from other items. Its preparation involves slow cooking it to perfection with buttermilk. Undhiyu is best enjoyed with puris and shrikhand.
Aam Shrikhand with Mango Salad
The cuisine of Gujarat is famous for being sweet, with a dash of sour thrown in occasionally. Another dish which floods your mouth with sweetness is Aam Shrikhand with Mango Salad. The ingredients used in this comforting drink are saffron, condensed milk, chopped mangoes, sugar, cardamom powder and some cream. The dish is best served with mango salad, and garnished with gold varq and pistachios.
Gujarati Kadhi
Gujarati Kadhi, another famous Gujrati food, comes as quite the savior for its people, especially during the summers when the stifling heat can bother your insides. Its hearty, filling, easy-to-cook and is a staple in all the households in Gujarat. Any Gujarati thali is considered incomplete without it. A traditional dish made of sour curd, its spiced with thickened gram flour and given a sweet touch with jiggery or sugar. One can instantly recognize it due to its white color, while its best enjoyed with soft chapattis and steaming hot basmati rice.
Dhokla
It doesn’t matter whether you are visiting the holy places in Gujarat, or any other place, the spongy dhokla will always greet you everywhere. No wonder, it’s considered to be the ultimate Gujarati food. A steamed snack consisting of fermented dal and rice mixture, it’s garnished with mustard leaves and curry leaves. However, there are many version of this dish available in the market like the Sandwich Dhokla or the Khatta Dhokla.
Bardoli ki Khichdi
Gujarat is full of delights, and one delight is Bardoli ki Khichdi. This aromatic dish is prepared using a combination of ingredients such as dal, spices, peas, potatoes and raw mangoes. Its best enjoyed with a dollop of ghee, some curds, papad and pickle. This is one particular dish which will make your day.
Methi ka Thepla
Got a craving for a delicious snack? Just grab a Methi ka Thepla, and bite way on this crispy round delight. An all-time favorite Gujarati cuisine, this Indian bread is composed of whole wheat flour, kneaded with methi, chillies, herbs, yogurt and a dash of sugar. This tempting snack finds its presence in all major family occasions, journeys, foreign trips and even business trips. Best served hot with fresh curd, they are as healthy as they are delicious.
Dal Dhokli
When is the best time to visit Gujarat? Whenever you can have a serving Dal Dhokli. They are essentially whole wheat dumplings boiled gently in a spicy curry made with various ingredients like tuvar dal, garlic, peanuts, kokum and turmeric. The best part about this is that it’s healthy, filling and an entire meal in itself.
Handvo
You may be a fan of chocolate cakes and fruit cakes, and other cakes which dominate the trend at a particular time. However, for the people of Gujarat, Handvo is the all-time favorite. Soft in the interior and crisp on the exterior, this is considered to be a one-dish meal. They are prepared using a batter of lentils and rice while being fermented overnight. They are best served with green chutney and a hot cup of coffee.
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Vishwajit Sharma
A travel writer by profession possessing an avid interest in books, movies and music, Vishwajit Sharma believes that travelling is essentially discovering yourself. He hopes that, through his articles and write ups, the idea of travelling is aroused in everyone. Let the journey begin!
Hi Guys.. Superb Blog..
Hey Meena,
Thanks for your kind words! Do follow our blogs in for more such informative posts in the future.
thank you for such an interesting article! the information is very useful! and the dishes are soooo appetite, I want to taste them all!
Hi Anna. I am glad you found the article useful. All the dishes are as tasty as they look. Go ahead and try them as soon as you can.