While you may travel through Rajasthan and experience its amazing history, architecture and royal palaces, your journey is not complete if you have not tried out the Rajasthani cuisine. Rajasthani dishes aren’t too complicated and are quite basic and simple – yet unusual and tasty. The simple mouth-watering dishes of Rajasthan truly help you soak up the culture of this state.
To experience Rajasthani cuisine, you don’t really have to step into a high-end restaurant. I had some of the best and authentic Rajasthani dishes in the regular local restaurants and street-side dhabas – the latter being one of my favorite food joints during my trip, especially the one in Pushkar.
A lot of these dishes were familiar to me as they are quite similar to Gujarati dishes and tasting them again was a definite wave of nostalgia for me. Let me take you through a culinary tour of Rajasthan with 10 of my favorite dishes – and yes, all of them are vegetarian 😉
1) Bajre ki Roti
Simple Rajasthani bread made out of a local cereal called Bajra. This was my favorite amongst all the breads here – so much that I ended up eating it almost every day. Teaming it up with any of the dishes below can really make the entire meal scrumptious.
Borrowing from my Gujarati dishes, where Bajre ki Roti is one of the staples during the Winters, I teamed these steaming rotis with gur (Jaggery) and ghee. Try out the combination, I think you might just end up liking it. 🙂
2) Dahi ka saag
A gravy dish made out of plain curds – sounds a little strange but trust me, I loved the simple taste of the same. Plain curds with a sprinkle of mustard, spices and tomatoes roasted in oil and mixed with curds – completely giving curd a different flavor. This works well with any of the rotis or even rice dishes.
The best Dahi ka saag that I had was in Jaipur at the Kailash restaurant, on the Hawa Mahal Road.
3) Sev-Tamatar ka Saag
Sev or Bhujia is actually a savory snack and one tends to eat the same plain or with bhel. This is the case across India but in Rajasthan, this is used to make a gravy dish that works well with Rotis. This along with Tomatoes is mildly spicy with a little tangy taste.
This one is a popular Gujarati dish as well and is generally had with Parantha or Thepla. Since this is cooked without onions or any of the root vegetables, is a popular Jain sabzi as well.
4) Gatte ki Sabzi
This one is so typical of Rajasthan and goes great with Missi ki Roti or Puris. This also, tastes yummy with some boiled rice. Steamed dumplings made from gram flour, added to a gravy made with some curd and spices. This is one of the most recommended dishes as well as one of the most familiar dishes in Rajasthan. Almost every restaurant in Rajasthan offers this.
5) Papad ka Saag
Papad is again another snack or a starter in India. It is generally roasted or fried and served as an accompaniment or starter with meals. Papad ka Saag is made out of raw papad along with spices. Quite a rare combination. Best had with rice or Khichadi.
The Dhabbas have the best Papad Sabzis, especially the ones that I found in Pushkar near the Brahma Mandir.
6) Missi Roti
Missi Roti, is another option to those who might find Bajre ki Roti a little hard for their palate. Made out of Gram flour, this Rajasthani bread is popular across India and is available outside Rajasthan too. While I was partial to the Bajre ki Roti, my hubby preferred this – he swears that it works well with any of the sabzis 😉
7) Dal Baati Churma
Dal Baati Churma is a specialty Rajasthani dish. The Dal is made out of 5 different pulses and fresh spices. Baati is made out of wheat flour and gram flour along with lots of ghee (yep, it is quite rich ;-)). The same is broken and dipped in the dal and eaten along with it. As an accompaniment and to sweeten things, Churma is served with it. A mildly sweet dish, I love eating Churma just by itself. 😉
8) Ghevar
Till I visited Rajasthan, I always believed that there was only one type of Rajasthani Ghevar – the sweets the state is known for. It is amazing how many different types are there. Paneer, malai, Kesar are some unique flavors. This sweet is extremely popular during festivals like Sankranti and Teej.
Specifically, loved the Paneer ghevar, so much that I ended up carrying it back with me home for my friends and family. You can get this anywhere in Rajasthan, even the airport, where you can pick the packaged ones to take back home with you.
9) Lassi
Lassi or thickened buttermilk? I mean, what is so special about it. It isn’t Rajasthani by origin but I make a mention of it here because I found so of the most unusual flavors and amazing tasty lassi here. Dry fruit lassis are a definite recommendation – especially, the Kesar Pista and Badam ones. The Rosemilk ones were a little too sweet for me, but the kids totally loved them. And if you want to try an even richer lassi – try the Malai one.
Lassis especially at the Kailash restaurant in Jaipur are so refreshing in the hot Rajasthani heat.
10) Ghotua
A specialty sweet of Jaisalmer. This one was a complete surprise. We came across it during our stay in Jaisalmer when our homestay owner got us a complimentary box. Personally, I found it sugary sweet but unusual and the kids did like it a lot. Made of gram flour, with ghee and saffron, this sweet is definitely worth a taste if you are in Jaisalmer.
Rajasthani food is typically not very spicy. The bread are a little dry and hence, they are best had with one of the gravy dishes. If you need something light and easy on the stomach, try out the Khichadis in Rajasthan, especially what they call- Ram Khichadi. This will definitely help settle your stomach.
So, doesn’t this make your mouth water? Comment in and tell me if you have tried any of these dishes or which one would you like to try out.
Travel Tips
- Most of the local restaurants and hotels offer these Rajasthani dishes
- Some of the food like the Dal Baati Churma can be really heavy on your stomach. It is a meal by itself.
- When unsure, Khichadi will be the best option – safe, non-spicy and good for an upset tummy.
Yummy post. Ghevar is one of shilpi's favorite sweet. Good to know there are many varieties.
I have not tried Ghotua and Dahi ka saag. Will be on a look out for these whenever I go to Rajasthan next. What a mouthwatering post Ami!
Seriously mouthwatering dishes! Though I have been to Rajasthan quite a few times, I'm yet to taste its authentic cuisine. Thanks for an inspiring post!
What a lovely post and I love Rajasthan food. My favorite food is Dal Baati Churma…..
Yep and you can pack and take some back with you too 😀
Thanks Mridula….let me know what you think of the Dahi Ka saag. …whenever you have it.
Thanks Renuka….try out the local restaurants for an authentic flavor.
Dal Baati Churma is indeed amazing to have, though it is quite a meal in itself.
I am very foodie.. And i really love Rajasthani food.
International Tour Operators
Got introduced to the varieties of Rajasthani cuisine thanks to a friend and old neighbour 🙂 This does look good and I do like the variety.
Am sure you will enjoy Rajasthan just for that 😀
Trust me Roshan, am sure you will enjoy these dishes while you visit Rajasthan. Make it a point to try them out.
I have never tried Rajasthani cuisine. The Dahi ka saag looks good. I am on a mission to try this now! Thanks!
Dal Baati Churma sounds fantastic! Lassi… not my cup of tea (or buttermilk). I had that during my first Indian meal ever. It wasn't a great first impression. But gosh, maybe now I'd love it as I've learned to enjoy and appreciate so much Indian and Rajasthani cuisine.
I've never tried any of these but Dal Baati Churma gets my vote. Love all those little teeny tiny dishes and the sauce sounds so tasty. Great pictures.
Wonderful, love Rajasthani food, we always hunt for a Rajasthani restaurant in India, but eating Rajasthani food in Rajasthan is on a different plane altogether.
😀 Am sure you will love it.
Dal Baati Churma is a mini meal itself. One of the most popular dishes in Rajasthan.
Thanks Melody. I had a blast trying them out during my trip,
I totally agree. Nothing beats the experience of having Rajasthani food in Rajasthan – at the authentic local joints.
I can't pick, I want them all. Lol. I haven't found an Indian dish I don't like yet.
Now this is an entire spread, with just one thing missing – Bejjad Ki Roti! I love this cuisine!
That is awesome. Then you will really have a blast here in India.
I haven't tried that one. Maybe next time. Thanks for sharing that.
I like mango lassi 🙂
Cool, you really get some nice ones here
Photos are amazing. Starving now!
I'd just love to try all of these dishes. Indian food is so yummy and tasty and also every region has it's own flavours and dishes. So much to choose from, so much choice…:)
Wow! I just need to try all of these! Hard to find over here, must plan a trip over there 😉
Indian is by far one of my favourite cuisines. So much flavour!
Thanks Alexa.
You are so right. Each region has its speciality…and sometimes, it is a tough choice for us too.
Oh you must…the authentic flavor of Rajasthan is so much better than trying it out elsewhere.
Then you are sure to enjoy a trip here. 🙂
These all look absolutely delicious and I will make you laugh: I am reading this while I wait for my first attempt at an Indian dinner to get ready! I made a curry and even homemade rotis… I'm sure they'll pale in comparison with the real thing but it's all the intention, right??
Thanks Marta. Happy to hear that you tried it out at home. Am sure it was fab. Having said that, you should head to India for the authentic traditional flavors. Am sure you would love it.
I sooooooooooooooo need to get myself to India! 🙂 I love the food, lots of vegetarian dishes and the atmosphere around it looks so amazing too…
It sure is….sitting in those local roadside restaurants – Dhabbas is truly a lovely experience
The food all looks soo delicious! I loved the travel tips at the end…those would come in very handy on a trip to Rajasthan!
Looks so good and yummy! Love Indian food but it's hard to find a great Indian restaurant with authentic food where we live!
🙂 Thanks Julie. Do share the same around for someone visiting Rajasthan.
🙂 For that you need to really come to India and eat at the local restaurants.
I just love Ghevar, my top pic from the list ☺️
Actually, some of them I didn’t even know about.
Cool… Then you must try then out when you head there
It was such a bad idea to look at this post when I was already hungry and far away from Indian food 🙁
Delicious pictures!
Ha ha. Time to head home 🙂
Looks like it is 🙂
Hello, Such a nice blog You have shared here . I like to eat Daal Baati Choorma and Gatte ki Sabji very much. All images such a mouthwatering……….
Thank you Vaibhav
Great blog.wow..such fabulous blog about Rajasthani Foo you have share. People are very much like rajasthani food. save Tamatar, Gatte ki sabji and papar sag all like very much…
Thank you. Rajasthani food is amazing indeed
Delicious cuisine. In very affordable price we can avail the food in Rajasthan and even more tasty. The food is exactly as per customer’s preference here.
It sure is. Thanks for stopping by Jhon
such a nice blog and sharing mouthwatering images. thanks for sharing. i love to eat daal baati churma and gatte ki sabji.
I would not mind some right now. Thanks for stopping by
It was indeed hard for me to control my taste buds while I was reading this post…
I bet it must have been 🙂
hello! Thank you for sharing such nice blog with us. I like the way you represent whole Rajasthani food varieties through this blog. Hope you will share more such type of blogs in future too.
Thanks Rahul. There are plenty more suggestions on Rajasthan
Rajasthani food is the best.
Thanks for all the information.
Keep Blogging !!
Cheers