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Set amidst the rolling hills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Dehradun enjoys iconic status among literary buffs thanks to author Ruskin Bond, who heavily featured the city in his works. The city is also a tourist haven, attracting hordes of local as well as foreign visitors who come to soak in the natural beauty of the magnificent Himalayas. As a result, Dehradun is quite diverse, which is reflected in its food culture.
The city is treasured for its lip-smacking street food offerings, which include the unmissable bun tikki. Enjoy this tasty treat at the local joint, Bun Tikki Wala. Owing to the city’s Garhwali roots, the cuisine of Dehradun is dominant in foods like lentils, green vegetables, and herbs. These foods are used extensively in the city’s wide range of vegetarian specialties, infusing them with strong and memorable flavours.
Here’s a list of some of the most famous dishes of Dehradun.
Bun Tikki
Image Credits: By Ravi Dwivedi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Regarded as a cousin to Mumbai’s vada pav and Kutch’s dabeli, this mouthwatering bread-based delicacy is perhaps the most popular street food of Dehradun. To craft a bun tikki, a crunchy patty made of potato and chana dal lentils is sandwiched in a fluffy bun, and garnished with spices and a flavour-packed tamarind chutney. The bun is typically lightly toasted and buttered to enhance the taste profile of the dish.
Recommendations: Bun Tikki Wala
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹200, approx.
Momos
Image Credits: Freepik
Available in almost every street corner of Dehradun, momos are delicious dumplings that can be made from various ingredients, including vegetables like carrots and onions, and meats, such as chicken. Usually served with a spicy dipping sauce, momos were introduced in Dehradun by travellers and traders from Tibet, sparking cultural exchange. Momos can be enjoyed steamed or fried, and some of its most coveted flavours include chilli momos and tandoori momos.
Recommendations: KC Soup Bar & Momos
Type: Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹200–₹400, approx.
Kafuli
Kafuli is a robust gravy-based dish that is widely considered the state food of Uttarakhand. The primary ingredients of this vegetarian delicacy are spinach and fenugreek leaves, which imbue the dish with a vibrant dark green colour. The dish is flavoured and seasoned with various spices, including ginger and green chillies; similarly, items like curd and rice paste also used to give kafuli bursts of flavour. This nourishing dish is typically relished with rice and flatbread.
Recommendations: Desi Chulha
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹300, approx.
Aloo Ke Gutke
A Garhwali specialty, aloo ke gutke comprises chunks of stir-fried potatoes tossed in local herbs and spices. The Dehradun version of this dish utilises a native spice called “jakhya,” which lends the dish a comforting as well as nutty flavour, elevating its taste profile. Cumin, turmeric, coriander, and red chillies are also used in crafting the dish. This specialty makes for a filling snack; it can also be served as a side dish or eaten with rice.
Recommendations: Pahadi Rasoi
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹500, approx.
Chainsoo
Like kafuli, chainsoo is a nutritious gravy-based dish that's a staple throughout Uttarakhand. The standout ingredient of this nutritious dish is urad dal or black gram lentils. To prepare the dish, lentils are typically roasted and ground into a rough paste which is cooked alongside several spices, including cumin, coriander, and mustard, to produce an aromatic and an appetising dish. Also referred to as chaunsa dal, this dish can be relished with rice or flatbreads.
Recommendations: The Garhwal Family Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹300, approx.
Jhangora Ki Kheer
In addition to boasting delicious street foods and nurturing soul foods, the cuisine of Dehradun also possesses several sweet treats, such as jhangora ki kheer. Treasured throughout Uttarakhand, this creamy dessert is made by combining barnyard millet, sugar, and milk. The delicacy is topped off with chopped nuts and dried fruits, such as almonds and raisins to give it some crunch and bite. The dish can be savoured warm or chilled.
Recommendations: Desi Chulha
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹350, approx.
Falooda Kulfi
Image Credits: By Aashita Kawatra - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
An authentic sweet treat of Dehradun, falooda kulfi is a delightfully luscious dessert comprising layers of kulfi, vermicelli, fruits, nuts, and rosewater syrup. This indulgent dessert is packed with a plethora of contrasting flavours and textures, including sweet, crunchy, and nutty, which enrich one’s senses and taste buds, crafting a pleasurable eating experience. Composed of numerous colourful ingredients, the falooda kulfi boasts a vibrant and an inviting appearance.
Recommendations: Anandam
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹450, approx.
