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Ratlami cuisine has a rich cultural heritage that reflects the history and traditions of the region. Located in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, Ratlam was an important trading center on the caravan routes between northern and southern India. This strategic location introduced Ratlam to diverse culinary influences from Rajasthani, Gujarati, and Maharashtrian cuisines. Over centuries, the local cooks adapted these influences to create a distinctive Ratlami style of cooking.
What sets Ratlami food apart is the use of flavourful spices, locally grown vegetables and lentils, and pure ghee. Traditional cooking techniques like roasting, tempering, and slow simmering bring out robust, complex flavours. Beyond the rich blend of tastes, Ratlami cuisine reflects the region's cultural heritage. Many dishes are vegetarian and influenced by Marwari and Jain communities. Food is integral to festivals and social gatherings where families pass down recipes over generations. The unique food culture of Ratlam has made it a must-visit destination for culinary tourists.
The next time you are in the region, be sure to stop by and experience authentic Ratlami cuisine for yourself! Here are 6 iconic dishes that capture the authentic flavours of Ratlami cuisine:
Aloo Pyaz Kachori
Aloo Pyaz Kachori, a mouthwatering delicacy that originated in the city of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, has a fascinating history behind it. This crispy deep-fried snack filled with a spiced potato and onion mixture is believed to have been created over a century ago by halwais seeking to please the royal family of Ratlam. Using local ingredients like gram flour and ghee, these innovative cooks whipped up the perfect balance of flavours and textures. Aloo Pyaz Kachori garnered immense popularity across the region for its addictive taste. Even today, the streets of Ratlam are filled with the aroma of these fried treats being freshly made and served up hot.
Restaurant Recommendations: Rathore Kachori, Ram Mandir, Main Road, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹50–100 approx.
Image credit: Freepik
Khopra Patties
Likely originated from potato cultivation introduced by the British, Khopra Patties makes a tasty tea time bite. As you savour this street food staple, you're immersed in the sights and sounds of a bustling local bazaar. The fried patties sizzle on hot griddles while vendors call out to customers. With origins tracing back generations, Khopra Pattice encapsulates the very soul of Ratlam in one incredible dish. A fried potato and coconut snack that gets its melt-in-the-mouth texture from grated coconut and mashed boiled potatoes seasoned with chili, cumin, and ginger. This vegetarian delicacy reveals a melting pot of flavours and textures, much like the diverse culture of its birthplace.
Restaurant Recommendations: Pandit Ji Food's, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹50–100 approx.
Image credit: Freepik
Ker Sangri
The Ker Sangri dish of Ratlam has an intriguing origin story. This lip-smacking Rajasthani delicacy traces its roots to the arid deserts of the Thar, where resourceful villagers crafted it from the humble sangri bean. These beans, found in abundance on the resilient ker plant, have sustained locals for centuries. The innovative cooks of Ratlam gave the beans new life by combining them with spicy masalas to create a zesty curry. A must-try Ratlami experience!
Restaurant Recommendations: Swad Exotica, Shastri Nagar, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹200–400 approx.
Image credit: Freepik
Also Read: Ratlami Sev Recipe
Bajra Khichdi
The hearty and comforting Bajra Khichdi hails from the vibrant city of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. This wholesome one-pot meal brings together the nutty flavour of bajra (pearl millet) and the comforting taste of dal (lentils) to create a dish that warms the soul. Bajra Khichdi was mostly consumed by the local people as it provides a huge amount of nutrition to an individual along with comfort. It's a perfect combination to eat, because bajra and dal compliment one another, by providing both energy and protein, respectively. Simple yet nourishing, bajra khichdi remains soul food.
Restaurant Recommendations: Rajbhop Pure Veg Restaurant, Kasturba Nagar, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹200–400 approx.
Image credit: Freepik
Malpua
The sweet and delicious malpua has its origins in the historic city of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, India. This dessert has a fascinating story behind it. Legend has it that back in the 18th century, the Maharaja of Ratlam had a very skilled halwai (sweet maker) in his palace kitchens. One day, the Maharaja wanted the halwai to create a new sweet dish to impress the guests at an upcoming royal banquet. After days of experimenting, the halwai came up with a pancake-like sweet made with a batter of maida (refined flour), milk, sugar and cardamom. He fried these pancakes in ghee and soaked them in sugar syrup. When the guests at the royal banquet tasted this new creation, they were extremely delighted. The Maharaja was so impressed that he named the dish malpua, deriving from the Sanskrit words mala (meaning garland) and pu (meaning to drink), referring to the syrup dripping down the sides of the pancake resembling a garland. The malpuas from Ratlam still remain unparalleled in taste and flavour.
Restaurant Recommendations: Kanhaiya Sweets in Ratlam Kasara Bazar, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹150–200 approx.
Image credit: Freepik
Palak Patta Chaat
The magic of Palak Patta Chaat lies in its deceptively simple ingredients. This crispy, tangy street food originated in the city of Ratlam, where creative chefs transformed the humble spinach leaf into a textural delight. By taking fresh spinach leaves, dipping them in a spiced chickpea batter, and deep frying them into crispy chips, the chefs crafted a perfect crunchy base. These crispy leaves are then topped with cool, creamy dahi; sweet and spicy chutneys; and a sprinkling of tangy chaat masala. Though the ingredients are everyday staples, in the hands of Ratlam's ingenious chefs, the humble spinach leaf is elevated into a street food masterpiece called Palak Patta Chaat.
Restaurant Recommendations: Satish Lala Chaat Centre, Shastri Nagar, Ratlam
Type: Vegetarian
Budget: ₹100–150 approx.
