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India is home to some of the most amazing snacks, each packed with a slice of history, local flavours and available in more varieties that we can probably eat in one sitting. One such Indian snack is Dabeli. Originating in the arid and dessert land of Kutch in Gujarat, Dabeli is more popularly known as Kutchi Dabeli all over the world. As is the trend with delicious snacks, Dabeli, though invented in Kutch, isn’t limited to the region or even Gujarat cities like Ahmedabad and Surat. Instead, Dabeli is now popular and available across India and many parts of the world too.
Want to know more about this delicious Dabeli snack from Kutch in Gujarat? Here is everything from the history and origin of Dabeli, its predominant flavours, top spots to find the dish in Ahmedabad, and so much more.
1. Introduction to Dabeli
For those who don’t know, Dabeli from Kutch is a snack that resembles global burgers and sandwiches. Breaking down a Dabeli reveals two core components. The pav is a soft, fluffy and delicious bread, the origins of which in India can be traced back to the settlement of the Parsi community in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Also known as Ladi Pav, this bread is usually sliced in half to make Dabeli. The second component is a spicy mashed potato mix, which is cooked to perfection with a unique spice blend called Kutchi Dabeli Masala. The flavour of red chillies gives this Kutchi Dabeli Masala its signature spicy taste.
But that’s not all that goes into the making of Dabeli. The pav is slathered with coriander chutney and a tangy tamarind and dates chutney. The spicy potato mix is then added on top in a thick paste-like form. This potato mix is then topped with sev, or fried gram flour vermicelli, coriander leaves and often, pomegranate seeds. As a whole, Dabeli from Kutch offers a medley of sweet, sour and spicy flavours, which is actually the secret behind this snack’s immense popularity in Gujarat and beyond.
Video Credit: YouTube/Your Food Lab
2. Exploring the Types of Dabeli
Given how popular Dabeli is as a snack, its reach has now gone beyond Gujarat to other states and even the world. Because it is such a simple dish to prepare with such nuanced flavours, Dabeli has not only gained global popularity but also become one of those iconic dishes that get upgraded by India’s creative street food vendors and chefs. Here are some types of Dabeli that have now become very popular beyond Kutch.
Classic Dabeli: No matter what new innovations happen, the classic Dabeli from Kutch with its signature Kutchi Dabeli Masala spiciness remains the most popular version of the dish. Served by street food vendors across states like Maharashtra, Dabeli in its basic but brilliant avatar has become a staple in other Indian metropolitan cities too. In fact, any part of the world with a Gujarati community presence would offer up this dish along with other favourites.
Cheese Dabeli: What melds really well with potatoes and is vegetarian enough to appeal to the tastes of Gujaratis the world over? Cheese, of course! While some street food vendors add grated cheese to the spicy potato mix of Dabeli, others choose to add cheese slices like with burgers and sandwiches. The fattiness of the cheese really compliments the traditional flavours of Dabeli.
Paneer Dabeli: Another great vegetarian take on the traditional Dabeli that is a no-brainer, Paneer Dabeli is a very filling, protein-packed snack. The paneer is either grated and mixed in with the potatoes or fried like in Paneer Bhurji with Kutchi Dabeli Masala to create this incredible version of the Kutch dish.
Mexican Dabeli: If there is any global cuisine out there that can match the flavours of spicy Dabeli and fuse with it really well, it is certainly Mexican cuisine. Mexican Dabeli, also known as Mexi-Dabeli, is a type of Dabeli which is stuffed with Mexican ingredients like black beans, corn, avocado, spicy salsa, jalapenos and even cheese. This fusion Dabeli is a treat for the senses.
Schezwan Dabeli: Another fusion Dabeli, this one is extremely popular with those who love the spiciness of Indo-Chinese cuisine with the classic spiciness of Kutchi Dabeli. A Schezwan sauce made with Sichuan chillies and red chillies forms the core of this Dabeli version. Apart from potatoes, capsicum, onions and often paneer is also added to this fusion Dabeli.
3. Techniques Behind Authentic Dabeli
Making an authentic and delicious Dabeli is all about nailing each and every component that makes this snack from Kutch outstanding. If you are making Kutchi Dabeli at home, here are some of the key techniques behind the dish that you need to nail.
Dabeli Masala: Gather the ingredients for an authentic Kutchi Dabeli Masala or buy a ready-made version to get the flavours right. Trying to make Dabeli from Kutch without the authentic Dabeli Masala is like trying to make pizza without a good bread dough.
Spicy Potato Mix: Don’t just mash the potatoes and add the Kutchi Dabeli Masala to make this snack. Temper and fry the mashed potatoes with mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, salt and then add the Kutchi Masala. You can also add onions to make this dish more delicious.
Pav Prep: Pav is a soft and fluffy bread, and to make Dabeli you need to treat this bread right. Don’t just slice it and add the potatoes and toppings. Instead slightly toast the pav buns with a bit of butter before using.
Accompaniments: The chutneys that go along with a Dabeli are as important as the sev, coriander leaves, roasted peanuts and pomegranate seeds. So, don’t skip or skimp on any of these. That will only compromise the taste of Dabeli.
Pressing And Toasting: A signature technique to make the Dabeli is gently pressing it after assembling it to lock all the flavours in. In fact, in Gujarati Dabeli literally means “pressed down”. So, be careful with this bit and toast the Dabeli after pressing it down and before serving it hot.
4. Dabeli's Historical Connection to Kutch
While most people know by its very name that Dabeli comes from the region of Kutch, many don’t know exactly how this dish was invented. Legend has it that Keshavji Gabha Chudasama, popularly known as Kesha Malam, invented the Dabeli back in the 1960s. A street vendor in the small town of Mandvi in Kutch, Chudasama invented the dish to meld together the two most popular street food elements in Kutch—potatoes and pav, with a dash of local spices.
It is believed that the first Dabelis made by Chudasama were sold for a mere one anna or six paisa. Chudasama’s street-side stall has turned into a heritage shop now and people visiting Mandvi can still taste Dabeli in its place of birth. Apart from Mandvi, the Kutch cities of Bhuj and Nakhatrana are also known for their authentic Dabelis.
5. The Aromas and Tastes of Dabeli
To call Dabeli a symphony of tastes and flavours is never an understatement. The spicy heat of Dabeli masala infused in every bit of the potatoes makes for a great kick to the taste buds. The crispiness of the sev and peanuts provide amazing contrast to the sweet burst of flavours you get from pomegranate seeds. The fresh coriander leaves add a touch of freshness and zing to the Dabeli. The very aroma of this Indian street food from Kutch can lure the toughest of hearts and the most health-conscious eaters into taking one bite and never stopping.
6. Ahmedabad’s's Top Kutchi Dabeli Spots
While Dabeli is quite popular across Gujarat, and the most authentic versions can be found in Kutch cities like Mandvi, Bhuj and Nakhatrana, Dabeli is also immensely popular in major Gujarat cities like Ahmedabad. Here are the top spots for Kutchi Dabeli in Ahmedabad that every visitor should go to.
Karnavati Dabeli Centre: Located in the Maninagar area of Ahmedabad, this popular Dabeli joint is known for its classic as well as fusion Dabelis.
Seva Kutchi Dabeli: Authentic flavours of Dabeli from Kutch is all you get at this shop in KK Nagar, Ahmedabad.
Shri Bajrang Kachchi Dabeli: Located in the Naroda area of Ahmedabad, this small yet popular Dabeli shop offers up some of the spiciest Dabeli.
Krishna Dabeli: Located in the vibrant Satellite area of Ahmedabad, this Dabeli shop is not only known for classic Dabelis but also fusion ones.
Binharif Dabeli Centre: Nestled in the Ambawadi area of Ahmedabad, quite close to the bustling Manek Chowk area, this Dabeli place is famous for its peanut-loaded and spicy Dabelis.
7. Kutchi Dabeli's Global Appeal
The fact of the matter is that Dabeli, with its spicy flavours and delicious use of potatoes, does have a global appeal as a dish. Any part of the world, whether it is India or the USA, which has a Gujarati community presence will inevitably have one snacks and farsaan shop selling not only authentic Dabeli but also other favourites like Dhokla, Fafda and Khakhra. A report by the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj claims that Gujaratis comprise of 33% of the Indian diaspora worldwide and their presence can be felt in 129 countries. So, it is quite likely that as one of the most popular Gujarati snacks, Dabeli also has a presence in some form or the other in all of these countries.
