Famous Kashmiri Food: You Must-Try Veg & Non-Veg Dishes
Jammu & Kashmir is not just a heavenly tourist destination but also a gastronomic place that offers the most scrumptious delicacies of India. The rich spices and herbs used in the cuisines, along with the sour kick from curd, make the dishes worth trying.
Being a colder region and with very distinctive vegetation options where dry fruits and spices dominate the soil, you would find more non-vegetarian options. However, there are certain vegetarian options in this as well. Whether it’s about appreciating the scenic beauty or traditional dresses of Jammu & Kashmir, cuisine holds a beloved space.
So without further ado, here are the best and lip-smacking J&K dishes that are worth trying.
Kashmiri Wazwan
Regarded as a 36-course royal Kashmiri meal that comprises items like goshtaba, yakhni, tabak maaz, kebab, aab gosht, rice and a lot more. It is usually served during occasions like weddings or ceremonies.
The entire course meal brings strong aromatics and a blend of spices and herbs to the table. Especially if you are a mutton lover, you’ll fall in love with aab gosht and the softness of goshtaba.
Qawah
Qawah is a traditional drink of Kashmir that consists of rich ingredients like saffron, almonds, cashews, and spices. It is usually consumed with dry fruits or light savory items like Kashmiri bread, often known as sheermal or samosa.
A perfect healthy drink for winters to keep the body warm and boost immunity. It exactly tastes like what the ingredients prescribe: a warm, spicy drink with nutty notes.
Kashmiri Dum Aloo
You might have consumed traditional spicy dum aloo, but nothing is tempting compared to Kashmiri dum aloo. It is popular in the entire northern part of India, and what makes it special is its gravy.
It is prepared from a curd base and is typically more leaned toward sour rather than spicy. It doesn’t contain onions or garlic like others. However, you may find slight variation to it from region to region. For example, in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, dum aloo consists of cottage cheese (paneer) as well.
Kalari
Kalari is a type of cheese specially found in Jammu that is consumed by stuffing it into a bun. It’s exactly like cheese but has a thicker consistency and is juicier.
It is made from full-fat cow or buffalo milk and fried until it gets crispier. When it gets golden brown and crusty like from the outside, take a bite and enjoy the gooey, juicy texture inside that brings flavorful joy.
You can only find kalari during the months of December to May, but it’s a hidden gem that one should definitely try.
Nadru
Nadru, or nadru yakhni, is yet another popular Kashmiri dish that you would find served during special occasions. It is made out of lotus stem, which is a root dish cooked in curd gravy exactly like dum aloo.
It is also served as a snack, but instead it is deep-fried like fries and marinated with spices. The popularity of this food dates back to the 15th century, as the lotus stem can easily absorb flavors. Nadru yakhni is best served with jeera rice, and the fritters with tea during cold evenings.
Modur Pulao
Modur pulao is like a traditional Indian pulao but garnished with cashews and raisins. It is cooked in ghee and infused with saffron, which is enjoyed during festive occasions.
It has a bit of a sweet hint of flavor and buttery richness and has a floral fragrance that mainly comes from saffron. It is combined with pickle- or curry-based meat dishes for unique flavor experience.
Noon Chai
Noon chai, or pink chai, might look like a rose-type of drink, but it tastes exactly the opposite. It is made out of typical tea leaves, but the only difference is it contains baking soda.
The pink color is derived from a chlorophyll reaction from the leaves and baking soda that releases the pink color. It tastes a bit more creamy, and various nuts are added to it.
Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh is a part of Kashmiri Wazwan, but the taste and popularity themselves pave its way to this list. As the name suggests, rogan josh is derived from the fact that it gives instant energy when you consume it.
It is made from a red chili base, and garlic is added to give a strong flavor. For rogan josh, traditional bone-in lamb meat is selected and marinated with turmeric. This dish tastes best with Kashmiri naan, and especially during winters, it keeps your body warm.
Final Words
While preparing your bucket list for the Kashmir trip, don’t forget to add this cuisine as a part. Each of the dishes mentioned above has a distinctive flavor and gives a vibrant gastronomic taste of Jammu & Kashmir.
That being said, it’s a wrap-up on the most popular foods to try in J&K.
FAQs
Q1. What is sheermal?
Ans. Sheermal is a flatbread popular in Kashmir that is baked in tandoori. Some of the variants include pistachio and sesame seeds garnished on the top.
Q2. What are the must-have desserts in Kashmir?
Ans. Some of the must-try desserts of Kashmir are phirni, modur pulao, and shufta.
Q3. Are foods expensive in Kashmir?
Ans. No, not at all. If you compare the pricing of food, taking into account the taste and ingredients used in them, you would find Kashmiri food to be cheaper.
Q4. What are some famous restaurants in Kashmir?
Ans. Ahdoos, Mughal Darbar, and The Chinar are some popular and royal restaurants in Kashmir.
