With its historic architecture dating back to the 18th century, Jaipur is not only known for it but also for its diverse culinary landscape. And it is a blend of traditional and modern flavors. This city offers a unique culinary journey with its blend of traditional Rajasthani platters and influences from Marwari and Mughlai cuisines. Its food is known for its bold flavors, application of aromatic spices, and exuberant preparations. In this blog, we will discuss the raw taste of Rajasthan through some lip-smacking street food items that the natives culture, and some of the best restaurants in Jaipur.
The streets of Jaipur feel vibrant with the rich aroma of fresh spices and sizzling snacks. If you ever visit this city, take some time out to walk through the bustling lanes and indulge yourself in some of the delightful platters, such as-
- Pyaaz Kachori
It’s basically a crispy, deep-fried pastry jammed with a spicy onion combination. It will take your tongue out for a spin for sure and is best served with a side of mint chutney or sour tamarind.
- Pani Puri/Golgappa
Just like any other prominent city in India that cultures pani puris (or sometimes as known as golgappas), Jaipur has its own flavor to it. There, these hollow flavourful balls (puris) have a fine blend of spicy, sweet, and tangy taste (comes from its potato-chickpea filling), which makes it a go-to item for the locals as well as tourists alike.
- Samosa
This item goes back ages ago in the city. These are triangular-shaped pastries stuffed with seasoned potatoes, lentils, and often peas, which are deep-fried to exquisiteness. Well, you might know that samosas are available in other cities as well, but the Jaipur ones come with special flavors. They are somewhat spicy, distinguishing them from the rest.
- Mirchi Bada
If you are inclined to spicy foods, then this should meet your needs. It involves a large sum of green chilies stuffed with seasoned potato, which is dipped in gram flour batter and ultimately deep-fried appropriately. If you don’t feel like walking the distance, you can just order it from the famous Samrat Restaurant, Jaipur with the help of Swiggy. Enjoy this spicy treat in the comfort of your home.
- Mawa Kachori
Kachoris as you know are somewhat salty, right? Well, this delectable item offers a sweet alternative. This pastry is deep-fried with mawa (i.e. milk solids) and dried fruits and treated with sugar syrup. The crunchy and sweet blend makes it an intriguing street item. Try it at Rawat Misthan Bhandar or Swiggy it to enjoy at your place.
- Ghewar
Falls under the “must-try” list, if you are in the pink city. It is basically a Rajasthani dessert, which is particularly popular during occasions like Raksha Bandhan and Teej. This tasty disc-shaped dessert has a unique honeycomb texture which separates it from the other desserts of the city and catches the eye. You can get the best version of it from Rawat Misthan Bhandar too.
- Lassi
If you ever get tired of walking or out of breath, then lassi- a smooth and refreshing drink, will do the job nicely. It is a traditional yogurt-based drink that is creamy, refreshing, and quite exquisite in taste. Again, this is available in various cities, India-wide, but in Jaipur, it is typically served with a dollop of malai and a tinge of saffron.
Now, it is time to talk about some of the local dishes to ideate you on which ones to try during your visit there. And yes, we are jotting this at an angle that positions you as a newbie in the pink city. On the other hand, if you are already familiar with the city, then you can just revisit the restaurants which is suggested in the later section of this blog. So here are some of the traditional dishes-
- Dal Baati Churma
You can call it a Rajasthani staple. As you can guess by its name, it consists of three segments: baati, meaning the crunchy wheat rolls; dal, a thick spicy lentil item; and churma, a sweet, brittle combination of cereal.
- Lal Maas
A spicy meat curry. It involves tender mutton or lamb stewed in a fiery, red chilli-imbued broth. Generally served with hot naan or steamed rice, this should be on your priority list if you are a non-vegetarian.
- Gatte ki Sabzi
Jaipur not only thinks about non-veg gourmets but also veggie lovers. And this platter rightly justifies that. It features gram flour dumplings simmered in a tangy yogurt-based sauce. It is best savored with chapatis or puris since they make the perfect contrast.
A smart tip here would be to opt for a proper Rajasthani thali once you are in the city. It best depicts the gastronomic grandeur of the Rajput kings, served on shiny brass plates. The thali consists of a combination of flavourful items such as dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, bajra roti, and ker sangri. The delectable and rich combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy delights gives a thrilling feast that captures the flavors of Rajasthan in a holistic manner.
Since you are now familiar with the traditional dishes of the city, it is time that you know the Rajasthani restaurants that bring out the authentic taste of the same to the table-
- The Johri
From making the typical Rajasthani papad pyaaz ke kebab to sangri ki shammi, this spot is poised to take you on a traditional Rajasthani ride.
- Thali & More
Since they bring the authentic Rajasthani thali to the table, you should go with the same or you can be specific too such as- dal baati churma thaali. Don’t forget to try out their famous Pav Bhaji before you head out of this spot.
- Spice Court
Some of the best Rajasthani platters you can taste here are- spice court gatta, papad bhujiya curry, and ker sangri. The décor of this restaurant also flaunts a minimalistic yet charming ambiance that leverages the spicy treats that it has to offer.
- Café Kothi
If you are in the mood to try out something different apart from the rich Rajasthani flavors, this should be your go-to place. Try their salads, pastries, mezze, or sandwiches. They also have a local touch to their menu where they serve Jaipur Slaw and Kurkuri Bhindi Chaat.
Conclusion
Well, if you have read through this blog till here, then you have got a holistic idea of the pink city’s culinary landscape. And those names of the restaurants that we discussed are just a tip off, for you to start your Rajasthani gastronomic experience with a bang.
But if you are visiting the city due to business then you might not have the time to venture into the bustling streets or dive into the above-mentioned restaurants. To save your day, there always will be the option of Swiggy. A smart food delivery platform just to brighten your day with the best Rajasthani dish you ever tasted. Moreover, you might just be lucky enough to win a coupon discount! So, without further lingering on your love for Rajasthan’s spicy flavors, jump into the Swiggy website now.