Kashmir is a heaven, not just for nature lovers and adventure junkies, who arrive here to explore the beautiful landscapes. But it is equally amazing when it comes to food. Everyone should visit Kashmir not only for those enchanting valleys and pristine lakes surrounded by snow-clad mountains but also for the mouthwatering delicacies of Kashmiri food.
Explore the gorgeous state not just for its magical beauty but also for Kashmiri food. eKashmir tourism is a popular site among holidaymakers and foodies planning a vacation in Kashmir and looking for affordable tour packages. Take full advantage of those tours and explore the beauty of Kashmir and its cuisines.
Kashmir cuisine is vast and full of flavor, and there are plenty of options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians that they would be drooling over.
Here are some of the top cuisines to enjoy when on a Kashmir trip :
1. Modur Pulao
The Modur Pulao dish is not at all like the regular Pulao dish, and it is a lot richer and flavorsome. Prepared with saffron, ghee, cinnamon, and lots of milk, the pulao is garnished with a lot of almonds, cashews, and raisins. The bright golden hue of the dish is due to the prime ingredient, saffron. Modur Pulao tastes slightly sweet because of the sugar that goes into it.
2. Rogan Josh
For meat lovers, it is a must to try out the aromatic lamb dish, Rogan Josh. Mughals introduced the signature recipe that was full of flavors and prepared with yogurt, browned onions, garlic, cardamom, and some spices. One can enjoy the dish with rice or naan, and it is certainly a treat for the taste buds.
3. Dum Aloo
Another popular and authentic Kashmir dish is Dum Aloo, and one must try out this amazing dish when on a trip. The simple but appetizing dish is prepared with baby potatoes cooked in ginger paste, hot spices, and fennel. Kashmiris always enjoy preparing comfort food with fried potatoes with a golden crisp covering swimming in a smooth red gravy.
4. Kashmiri Muji Gaad
Kashmiri Muji Gaad is a dish where the fish is prepared with radish or nadur. One can look at the dish as a blend of vegetarian and non-vegetarian, as the taste of fish blends with a lotus stem to give it a unique taste. The recipe takes on an amazing flavor and aroma because of the hot spices and herbs. If you are missing seafood, you will find Kashmiri Muji Gaad the perfect choice to tingle your taste buds.
5. Yakhni Lamb Curry
Yakhni Lamb Curry is a popular dish within Kashmir culture. The lamb is cooked in a special gravy with yogurt, onion paste, mint leaves, and mawal flowers. The use of Mawal flowers gives this age-old dish a unique and traditional flavor. You must try this authentic Kashmir delicacy prepared in rich yogurt with steaming hot rice.
6. Kashmiri dahi baingan
Another lip-smacking dish of Kashmir is the tasty and unique recipe of Kashmiri Dahi baingan. The vegetarian dish is served as a side dish, and the eggplant is first diced and then cooked in a yogurt gravy. People of Kashmir simply love the dish which is commonly cooked in almost every household here.
7. Chaman
Chaman is a wonderful recipe prepared with golden fried cubes of cottage cheese that are cooked in a gravy of onion, tomatoes, and cream. This yellow paneer curry is a humble dish that is turned into something special because of the clever use of turmeric, cloves, cardamom, dried ginger powder, and cheese cubes. It is enjoyed with steaming basmati rice or roti.
8. Matschgand
Matschgand is an aromatic dish that is sure to captivate your taste buds. This is a must-try dish for all meat lovers. It is a dish of minced meatballs that are cooked in spicy red gravy, and often you will find dry fruits mixed with the dish to give it more flavors and textures. One can easily find this dish in popular restaurants in Kashmir.
9. Haakh
Haakh is a popular name here for saag, and the popular leafy vegetable preparation is made from maunj or Knol Knol. The light dish is indeed a welcome change for those who want something different and without the oil and spices. One can enjoy Kashmiri saag or Haak with rice and yoghurt.
10. Sheermal
The popular flatbread that accompanies the Kashmir cuisine is Sheermal. However, Sheermal is already one of the most famous Kashmiri dishes, and one can enjoy the crispy sweet delight as a meal in itself.
11. Kulcha
Kulcha is served at the breakfast table in every household in Kashmir. Another popular Kashmiri food, Kashmiri Kulcha, is very different from the regular kulcha you find almost everywhere in India. It is an exclusive recipe that is prepared from a mix of wheat flour and refined flour and is crunchy from the outside but soft from the inside.
12. Khambir
For those looking forward to enjoying something unique must try the pan-shaped local bread known as Khambir. Commonly served with butter tea, Khambir is usually enjoyed at breakfast. You will love the bread with a thick brown crust and soft white interiors. As it is prepared from local whole wheat, it is wholesome and healthy.
13. Roth
When it comes to traditional Kashmiri Food, Roth has a special place. It is usually served during the auspicious time of Kashmiri New Year and special events and occasions. It is a flatbread that is prepared with flour, sugar, and butter and is very popular within the Kashmiri Pundit community.
14. Kava
As for the beverages, the herbal green Kashmiri tea known as Kahva tea is customary to have and enjoy. Kava is served every time there is a feast or festival and brewed almonds, walnut, saffron spices. The herbal tea is prepared in every household here and it is also known as Maugal Chai in some parts of Kashmir. You will come across many different variations of Kahvah.
The food of Kashmir is equally amazing as its beautiful landscapes and frozen lakes. Start your gastronomical journey in Kashmir with some great options that you can choose from the above list.
