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Nestled in the heart of Gujarat, Junagadh is a vibrant city that hosts a rich and varied culinary culture. Being settled largely by Hindu and Jain communities, the specialties found here are predominantly vegetarian. However, these dishes are distinctive as they’ve managed to incorporate Mughlai flavours as a result of the city’s colourful history, which was, once upon a time, governed by both the Mughals as well as the Nawabs of Junagadh.
Some of the most outstanding specialties of Junagadh include the luscious sweet dish basundi as well as the lip-smacking lilva kachori. Pay a visit to the famous local joint, Premwati Food Place, to sample both of these classic dishes of Junagadh. Authentic Kathiyawadi cuisine, which makes use of earthy ingredients and spices such as cumin, coriander, chilli powder, and turmeric, is on full display through some local specialties of Junagadh, including khaman and undhiyu.
Overall, the cuisine of Junagadh is lauded for its delicious mix of sweet and savoury items. It is also renowned for offering ornate thalis, which unite all its specialties on a single extravagant plate to make for a wholesome and fulfilling meal. Drop by Swati Restaurant if you want to indulge in an authentic Gujarati thali experience. In the meantime, you can check out the top 8 delicacies of Junagadh.
Undhiyu
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Undhiyu is the undisputed king of Gujarati cuisine; not only is this flavour-packed dish savoured all across India, but it is also a big hit among food enthusiasts globally. The dish seamlessly combines a bunch of root vegetables, including yam and sweet potato, with raw banana, eggplant, and fried dumplings called muthiya to produce a deeply satisfying and finger-licking meal. This dish is considered a winter special and is popularly consumed during the festival of Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan.
Recommendations: Hotel Indralok
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹450, approx.
Khaman
Image Credits: Freepik
Known popularly as “khaman dhokla,” this soft and pillowy, melt-in-the-mouth delight is prepared from besan or gram flour. The steamed cake is garnished with a variety of ingredients, including mustard seeds and green chillies, to elevate its flavours and add some complexity to its texture. One of the most relished Gujarati “farsans” or snacks, khaman can be consumed as both a nourishing breakfast and as an appetising evening snack. Ubiquitous throughout Gujarat, several interesting variations of khaman, such as nylon and sandwich, also exist.
Recommendations: Geeta Lodge
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
Kadhi
Kadhi is a striking white-hued curry-based dish that is a fixture in most traditional Gujarati thalis. This slightly tangy delicacy is typically prepared using buttermilk, yoghurt, and gram flour. Additionally, a host of spices, herbs, and condiments, such as red chillies, cloves, cinnamon, and curry leaves, are added to the dish, helping craft an enriching specialty that is bursting with flavour. The dish is also versatile; it can be enjoyed on its own or savoured with an accompaniment, such as rice or a flatbread.
Recommendations: Annapurna Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹300 approx.
Sev Khamani
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Also known as “Amiri Khaman,” sev khamani is believed to have originated in the neighbouring city of Surat. However, the incredibly savoury dish is quite coveted in Junagadh and other parts of Gujarat as well. Essentially, this street food dish is prepared by crushing leftover khaman dhokla with a chana dal mixture, and garnishing the concoction with crispy sev and juicy pomegranate seeds. The dish displays a wonderful balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours, making consuming it a highly pleasurable experience.
Recommendations: Geeta Lodge
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
Lilva Kachori
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Lilva kachori is a deep-fried snack that is loaded with succulent pigeon peas and an abundance of spices, including green chillies, cilantro, cloves, and garlic. The dish boasts an extraordinarily bright green filling, from which it derives its name, "lilva,” meaning green in Gujarati. The crispy and flaky pastry of the kachori, coupled with the softness of the green-hued filling, makes for a dish that is texturally rich, balanced, and indulgent. Although this kachori is considered a winter food, it is typically savoured all year.
Recommendations: Premwati Food Place
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
Chakri
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Chakri is a spiral-shaped deep-fried Gujarati snack that is typically relished as a tea-time snack across Junagadh as well as all of Gujarat. This crunchy treat is usually prepared by combining rice flour with a blend of spices, including sesame seeds, chilli powder, and ajwain. The concoction is made into a batter, which is dropped in a boiling pot of oil and fried till the chakris become golden brown. Characterised by a fragrant aroma, the dish is cherished because it is easy to munch on and carry around.
Recommendations: Patel Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹300 approx.
Shrikhand
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The people of Gujarat are notorious for having a sweet tooth; therefore, naturally, the specialties of Junagadh also include a couple of sweet treats, such as shrikhand. Prepared using strained yoghurt, this soulful and creamy sweet dish is infused with spices, such as cardamom and saffron, to imbue it with a medley of sweet and spicy flavours. The saffron also lends the dish a sublime yellow colour, which enhances its visual appeal. Although traditionally a dessert, many households use shrikhand as an accompaniment with savoury foods like flatbreads.
Recommendations: M.B. Sweets & Snacks
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹250, approx.
Basundi
Image Credits: Freepik
Similar to shrikhand, basundi is a delightful Gujarati sweet dish, regional variations of which are also relished in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. This enthralling dessert is prepared by boiling condensed milk until it reduces and assumes a thick texture. Subsequently, the milk mixture is infused with fragrant spices such as nutmeg, saffron, and cardamom to produce a rich and creamy dish. The dessert is topped off with nuts like cashews and pistachios to give it some much-needed crunch and elevate its overall taste and texture.
Recommendations: Premwati Food Place
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
