Butter dripping from the butter chicken, the effervescent sarso da saag, the soulful Dahi Bhalla and the tempting kulfi. All of these absolute lip-smacking dishes are synonymous with the state of Punjab. A state known for its gastronomical wonders; Punjab will truly enthral you with its delicious dishes. Albeit every lane, every street and every alley of Punjab is brimming with restaurants, food joints and the aroma of freshly cooked tandoori chicken. With every bite, you take you will on a culinary journey, as the flavour play around in your mouth. Here are some of the traditional food of Punjab that you must get try.
Famous Food of Punjab:
1. Bheega Kulcha:
While this might not sound appetizing at all, Bheega Kulcha or wet bread is all the rave at Amritsar. This salivating delicacy will grab your attention from afar and pull you closer till you take a big spoonful of this gem. Made with dough balls of Maida, these lovely kulchas with a gravy made of chickpeas. A lot of delicious spices, and it with a dash of lime juice and coriander leaves. This dish anywhere else in the entire country of India, so make sure you try this one out while visiting the Holy City of Amritsar.
2. Soya Champ:
Roaming around the streets of Punjab can get a little challenging for vegetarians, as it that there are hardly any dishes for the veg crowd. However, this is far from reality. Soya Champ, available at Amritsar can rival any non-veg dish easily. This delicious and healthy dish up of soybean chunks. It can dry or with gravy. If you want to add something more to this, then pair it up with a fascinating roomali roti and seal the deal.
3. Fish Amritsari:
It is a well-known fact that Amritsar and Punjab, in general, are obsessed with chicken, however, if they are also known for its famous fishes. As you walk through the little alleys or the crowd markets of Amritsar, stop at a Dhaba and tuck into some exceptional Amritsari Fish. Marinated with gram flour, and covered in a range of spices, this delicacy will take you on a journey. It with a mint and coriander chutney, which just adds another layer to this dish.
4. Dahi Bhalla:
This hearty little dish with such sweet and tangy ingredients that you will keep wanting more and more. Dahi Bhalla is a sought-after dish in Chandigarh, and you must indulge in it. Made with hollow puris, and topped with curd, chutney, and spices, this dish is an explosion of flavours in your mouth.
5. Rajma Chawal:
A popular North India delicacy, Rajma Chawla has soothed a lot of hearts and stomachs. Made with red kidney beans, this dish with rice. Quite a healthy and tasty dish, you will find it in all of the Dhaba’s and restaurants in Chandigarh.
Famous Sweets of Punjab:
1. Kala Jamun:
If you are at Chandigarh and you haven’t tucked into ghee or butter laced Parathas, then are you even at Chandigarh? Served with pickles, raitas or gravy, these taste shallow fried flatbreads are something else. There are many kinds of Parathas, like keema, paneer, potato, onion and many more, so choose your pick and tuck away.
2. Halwa:
If you are at Chandigarh and you haven’t tucked into ghee or butter laced Parathas, then are you even at Chandigarh? Served with pickles, raitas or gravy, these taste shallow fried flatbreads are something else. There are many kinds of Parathas, like keema, paneer, potato, onion and many more, so choose your pick and tuck away.
3. Kulfi:
Kulfi is the sweet dish that your taste buds have been waiting for. This ice cream topped, spaghetti-like falooda is a gift from the gods. This wondrous dessert is an extremely popular delicacy in Amritsar and will surely make your heart sing the moment you take a bite. There are several flavour combinations that you can opt for as well.
4. Punjabi Makhana ki Kheer:
This Makhana ki kheer recipe is similar to other kheers yet extremely delicious and is personal favourite dessert. Indians usually make and serve this dessert during Navratri or Ekadashi or on fasting days and vrat. We by sago and samo rice during vrat days that we forget lip-smacking makhana kheer.
Famous Street Food of Punjab:
1. Amritsari Kulcha:
The Amritsari Kulcha has wowed many tourists who have come to Amritsar just to taste this wholesome dish. Accompanied by chickpeas and some pickles, Amritsari with potatoes if cooked most traditionally. There are other variants as well of the stuffing used for this dish such as cheese, paneer, cauliflower or even mixed veg Kulcha. This is a staple breakfast dish in Amritsar, so make sure to try this one out on your trip.
2. Lassi:
If you are visiting Chandigarh, then you just cannot neglect the chilling and soul refusing lassi. Made with yogurt, fruit and other spices, this quintessential Punjabi drink will soothe your mind and stomach.
3. Bhatura:
The delicious Bhaturas of Jalandhar deserve a whole another column for themselves. This exceedingly soulful flatbread is dipped into boiling oil and comes out as a well puffed-up delight. The sight itself will make your mouth water, as you forget all your diets. It is best paired with Chhole, which is a kind of chickpeas. Just tear a little piece of your Bhatura and dip it into choose to embark on a culinary delight. It is tangy, spicy, salty and even a little sweet. With such a range of flavour, it is hard to not have a dozen of these goodies.
4. Samosa:
Samosas which are like golden crust are extremely delicious for their filling of mashed potatoes and aromatic spices. While you are exploring street food in Chandigarh, then do not forget to drool into the flavorful taste of everyone’s favorite – samosa. Samosas are so tasty that it is one of the best and most preferred Indian snacks. So, munching samosa while you visit the tourist attractions in Punjab becomes a must.
5. Pinni:
Do you have a sweet tooth? If yes, then eating Pinni in Punjab becomes a must for you. Pinni is such a delectable dessert that you cannot say no to it. Made with the goodness of ghee and assorted with a lot of dry fruits like nuts, raisins, etc that it becomes very wholesome. Pinni is a loved food item of winters and also counts as one of the most nutritious food items.
