Food of Rajasthan: 27 Rajasthani Dishes To Get You Drooling!

The Rajwadi land of Rajputs is a paradise for foodies out there. Rajasthani cuisine is among those rare cuisines boasting of a never-ending platter with a plethora of dishes; ranging from tangy drinks to spicy starters, mouth-watering sabzis and crunchy bread along with added delights of chutneys, achars, papad and chhach. Not to forget the delicate desserts and rich crunchy delights that melt in your mouth instantly!

Rajasthan Food Food Origins and Common Ingredients
Rajasthani cuisine is influenced by its rich heritage and arid climatic conditions. The little availability of fresh fruits and vegetables distinguishes their cuisine. A few common ingredients are beans, lentils, gram flour, corn, barley, millet, bajra, bread and dairy products (esp. Ghee). There is more inclination towards vegetarian food, but various kinds of meat dishes prevail as well.

Here is a list of 20 Most iconic food of Rajasthan that you must try:

1. Dal Bati Churma - Traditional Food of Rajasthan

This famous Rajasthani dish needs no introduction. Dal bati churma is synonymous to Rajasthan; known for its crunchy batis, dipped in ghee along with spicy daal and sweet churma.

2. Mohan Thaal

This royal dessert is equally royal to amaze the taste buds of food connoisseurs. Mohan Thaal is unique to Rajasthan and is a sweet dish prepared from Besan and dry fruits. The aroma and taste of ghee add the cherry to the cake!

3. Laal Maas

One of the most common parts of the non-vegetarian platter, Laal maas owes its colour to the hot red chillies. The meat is cooked in hot gravy of tomatoes, chillies and sizzling spices. Don't miss this pungent yet scrumptious food of Rajasthan next time you visit this vibrant state. 

4. Mawa Kachori

Ever heard of sweet Kachoris? Well, this Rajwadi land has an answer to it, Yes! Mawa kachoris from Jodhpur are a must try dish in Rajasthan. These kachoris are stuffed with mawa along with crispy dry fruits and served hot, making your mornings sweet and perfect!

5. Mirchi Bada

Another snacky delight from Rajasthan, Mirchi badas are perfect answers to complement evening tea or morning breakfast. The hot and spicy badas are scrumptiously delicious.

6. Mohan Maas

Another royal component of the non-veg platter, Mohan maas is a delicately cooked meat-dish. Stuffed with dry fruits and cooked in milk and cream and finally garnished with cardamom and cinnamon, Mohan maas is a rajwadi version of non-veg delights.

7.  Kalakand

The lion gate of Rajasthan is also famous for its soft and delicious Mawa-dish called kalakand. An ancient sweet dish, Alwar's Kalakand stands apart as a heavenly delicacy.

8. Pyaaz Ki Kachori

A common breakfast snack from Rajasthan, pyaaz ki kachoris are yummy kachoris stuffed with onions, spices and garnished with chutneys and dahi.

9. Gatte - Famous Food of Rajasthan

Typical Rajasthani food platters are almost incomplete without gattes; Rajasthan has a variety of Gatte preparations. Shahi Gatte or Masala gatte are Gattes covered with spicy gravy. Gatte pulao are a festive preparation, where vegetables are replaced by gattes, served with Mangodi ki Daal or Kadhi.

10. Kadhi

Kadhi is the most common yet varied Indian preparation. Generally made from besan and pakodis, Rajasthani kadhi is way spicier and mouth-watering. This is the most famous food of Rajasthan.

11. Jaljeera

Jaljeera is a tangy drink, unique to the Rajasthani food platter. The mouth-watering chatpata Jaljeera is all you will need to refresh your hunger!

12. Masala-Chhach

Chhach or buttermilk is an inseparable part of Rajasthani food culture. Chhach is a must-have in the dessert climate and extreme weather conditions of the state. Masala Chhach is a tasty drink, usually taken with/after breakfasts and lunches. The drink is also independent of main course and is a boon for sweaty summers.

13. Bajra Ki Raab

An exotic dish that is another healthy option (please ignore that pouring ghee) for vegetarians out there. The dish is extremely helpful in severe cold and for people with weak appetite. Prepared from bajra, ghee and warm ginger juice, jaggery, this dish is equally rich in iron and magnesium.

14. Ghevar

The very mention of Ghevar lights up the eyes of innumerable sweet-lovers. This crunchy delight is a heaven for people with a sweet tooth. Available in various forms and shapes, Ghevar can aptly be called one of the crown dishes of Rajasthani food.

15. Moong Ki Daal Ka Halwa

Winters in Rajasthan are known for delicious Moong Dal Halwas; this dish succeeds in winning the menus for royal marriage ceremonies. Moong ki Daal ka Halwa is prepared from Moong dal and garnished with rich dry fruits. The savoury taste can be experienced in every bite of it.

16. Malpua

Malpuas are another authentic food of Rajasthan. This delicious dish, prepared from flour, milk, khoya and added dry-fruits. Complimentary servings include Rabdi with Malpua. Malpuas from Pushkar is famous, especially on MakarSankranti.

17. Chutneys like Kachri, Imli, Lehsun and Tamatar

Rajasthani food is way spicier and tangier than other cuisines. The platter is incomplete without added Chutneys like Kachri, imli, lason (garlic) and tomatoes. So why wait? It's time to get a spicy Rajasthani Thali these chilly winters!

18. Bajra ki Roti with Lehsun Chutney

19. Churma Ladoo

Churma Ladoo is a famous Rajasthani food and is also popular in Gujarat. A blend of wheat flour, jaggery and desi ghee makes up this scrumptious dish. Garnish it with few poppy seeds, and there you go! Most popularly made during the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Churma Ladoo is also a must dessert for every meal.

20. Balushahi

I'm sure if you're a south Indian you must have heard of Balushahi? Well, Balushahi is the name in North India. It resembles closely to glazed doughnuts without holes. The soft, sweet and delicious sweet gets you drooling, and it is one of the simple saccharine dishes that could be made hassle-free.

21. Ker Sangari - Ker-Saangri Ro Saag

Ker Sangari is a dish with its roots in Rajasthan. A wild berry growing in the heart of Thar Desert – Ker, along with dried wild beans – Sangari, are put together to curate an authentic piquant yet tangy Rajasthani Sabzi. It might not be appealing in looks, but I can assure every taste bud in your mouth will be telling a different story. Assorted with local herbs and spices, Ker Saangri Ro Sang can be relished with delicious Bajre ki Roti, topped with melting Makkhan (White Butter).

22. Boondi Raita

Every Rajasthani food requires a stabilizer due to its wildness in flavours and spices. So instead of reaching out for a sip of water every time, have a spoon full of the refreshing Boondi Raita. A delicious, healthy blend of small fried chickpea flour balls called Boondi, soaked in the richness of yoghurt and fresh mint will make you savour all the Rajasthani dishes on another level! It is served cold as a side dish.

23. Badam ka Halwa

For all the sweet tooth’s, it is time to soak your palate in the richness of Rajasthan’s signature sweet dish called Badam ka Halwa. Made with the royal touch of soaked almonds, ground and stewed in fineness of desi ghee, this dish is bound to leave you asking for another hot serve. It’s extremely addicting. And healthy too!

24. Aam ki Launji – Raw Mango Launji

Want something on the side of your Indian dishes other than achars (pickles)? Kachhe Aam ki Laungi is your best bet in that case! This unparalleled combination of sweet and sour Rajasthani chutney/pickle is prepared by cooking marinated raw mangoes in aromatic spices and sugar, to create the perfect sidekick for all your parathas! It can also be savoured with any Indian sabzi, giving the entire meal an extra edge.

25. Methi Bajra Puri

Who doesn’t love some hot snacks in winters? The traditional food of Rajasthani which is mostly eaten during winters, Methi Bajra Puri is a deep-fried puffed bread, made with the goodness of Bajra (pearl millet flour) and fresh methi (fenugreek leaves). Bajra provides a crunchy character to this healthy, light puffy delight, making it a perfect snack to munch on while cuddled inside the blanket. It can be savoured with a curry/sabzi as well, making it an appetizing whole meal.

26. Gujia

Gujia is a dainty sweet dish full of ecstasy that can be found everywhere during the festival of Holi or Diwali. Curated with tenderness of mouth-melting sweetened khoya (milk solids, also known as Mawa) and crushed dry fruits, Gujia is moulded into little dumplings made out of either suji (semolina) or maida (all purpose flour), deep fried to add the element of crisp, making it a must try Rajasthani delicacy to be enjoyed while celebrating the grand Indian festivals!

27. Kalmi Vada

Kalmi Vada is an authentic Rajasthani munchie, perfect for evening cravings. This crunchy, full filling, healthy snack is a melange of coarsely blended batter of chana dal (split chickpeas), elevated with some green chillies, onion, and common spices. Its stimulating flavours and texture will leave your hands reaching out for just one more again and again! It is served hot with refreshing green chutney.

Now that you know what the food of Rajasthan is like, which of these dishes will you be trying?