While we mostly associate Gujarat with big business, industries, and fabulous tourist destinations, the state also offers fabulous culinary delights for you to try. Hindu, Jain, and many other ancient cooking traditions come together to create magic for foodies in the state.
Here is a closer look at the traditional food of Gujarat below.
Top Traditional Dishes in Gujarat
Gujarat’s dishes are just like the actual state- they are bright and colorful, while coming with a unique mix of flavors that are hard to find anywhere else!
1. Dhokla
Dhokla today is popular not just nationwide, but also globally! Made with a batter comprising chickpea flour and rice, it is steamed for a spongy and fluffy texture. Coriander, curry leaves, and mustard seeds are then added for an amazing taste. Have it with green chutney for the ultimate experience.
2. Khandvi
Another famous traditional food of Gujarat, it uses yoghurt and gram flour for its preparation. The cooking method includes making a unique batter that is made absolutely smooth and then rolled on a surface before cutting into rolls. Grated coconut and mustard seeds are also added with coriander leaves to complete the dish. This is a soft yet savory treat that you will love!
3. Undhiyu
A well-known winter preparation, Undhiyu is a dish containing mixed vegetables. You will love the delicious mix of Brinjal, yam, potatoes, and green beans with local spices. Some also add jaggery for a sweeter taste. This sumptuous Gujarati item is a hit during festivals too.
4. Gujarati Kadhi
When it comes to traditional food of Gujarat, it doesn’t get better than the classic Kadhi with its tangy and warm textures. Key ingredients for the dish include gram flour, yoghurt, cumin, turmeric, and water. Many people also put in either jaggery or sugar for additional taste, along with curry leaves and dried red chillies. It is a must-have with rice.
5. Gujarati Khichdi
Khichdi is a popular item all across Gujarat and is a dish that can be easily prepared as well. It combines dal (lentils) and rice with multiple spices such as turmeric, cumin, Hing, and others. Many eateries and local households also add vegetables like carrots and peas to the Khichdi for extra taste. The whole mixture is cooked thoroughly until the texture is fluffy and soft. The Gujarati version of this iconic dish is warm and comforting and you can add a drop of ghee or even yoghurt for an amazing experience.
6. Handvo
It is much like a cake with a savory-like flavor, made with a unique batter (spices, lentils, rice). After being put into the pan, the batter is fried and becomes crispy yet soft. Cumin, coriander, and even bottle gourd/carrots are added for that extra bit of taste.
7. Gathiya
Another traditional food of Gujarat that you will fall in love with, the Gathiya is a delicious snack with a crunchy texture. It is made with gram flour and various spices. The Gathiya is shaped into slim little strands and deep-friend until it turns golden in color. For seasoning, most people here use Ajwain and pepper. You will find several locals having this at tea-time.
8. Thepla
It is another famous Gujarati traditional item that is basically flatbread made from spices, whole-wheat flour, and fenugreek (Methi) leaves. It is ideal for a filling meal while on the move and you can enjoy having it with yoghurt or pickles as well. The cooking method involves making the dough first and then rolling into small balls. These are cooked on the pan until they become crispy and golden. It is one of the most iconic dishes in the state and a staple for evening snacks and breakfast.
9. Fafda-Jalebi
This is another famous breakfast combination in Gujarat. Fafda is a crisp snack made with gram flour and it goes beautifully with the syrupy and sweet dessert called Jalebi (batter deep-fried into spiral shapes and soaked in syrup). Some people also have this combo as a midday or evening snack. The salty and crunchy Fafda goes amazingly with the sweet and sticky Jalebi. It is one of the best items worth trying for visitors too!
10. Dabeli
A filling and delicious snack item, this traditional food of Gujarat is almost like a sandwich. In this case, it is tangy and spicy, filled with onions, mashed potatoes, and various spices. Pomegranate seeds, peanuts, and also Sev (crunchy chickpea flour noodles) are used for adding more flavors to the dish. You will find it available at almost every local eatery or street food kiosk.
11. Dal Dhokli
When you think of comfort food in Gujarat, there’s no beating Dal Dhokli. It is a warm soup with small and soft wheat flour dough pieces. In this case, the dough is cooked in a Dal-based soup with turmeric, cumin, and even tomatoes at times. It is a great option for lunch or dinner in Gujarat.
12. Khakra
It is another famous Gujarati item which is a round and crispy cracker-like snack that is a staple for the locals. The dough is first made into small circles and roasted until it turns golden brown and super-crunchy. Many herbs, spices, and even sesame seeds are used as toppings for the dish. It is an ideal snacking option for foodies!
13. Locho
Locho is an irresistible traditional dish of Gujarat and is loved by foodies for its fluffy and soft texture. It is made with gram flour and spices that are mixed into a batter which is then steamed for a spongy feel. You will love having this item with sauce or chutney for a wonderful snack or breakfast.
14. Rotlo
A great addition to the list of traditional food in Gujarat, Rotlo is a flatbread that is made with water and millet flour, while being kneaded into dough. It is then shaped into flatter circles that are cooked on a pan till it becomes crispy and golden in color. You can have this with pickles and Ghee for a fabulous breakfast/snack.
15. Sev Tamatar Nu Shaak
It is a sumptuous meal that stands out for its spicy and tangy flavors. The cooking method involves mixing tomatoes with cumin, turmeric, and sugar or jaggery together while sprinkling the crispy and tasty Sev on the top before serving. You can have this preparation with either rice or Rotis.
16. Khaman
There are some dishes that use age-old popular recipes and Khaman is one of them. A healthy snack, it is a mix of chickpea flour and freshly-ground Daal (lentils), quite similar to the Dhokla. The flour mix is first boiled with salt, turmeric, and baking soda for a fluffy texture. Then, this is cut into smaller cubes and coriander leaves, chopped onions, mustard seeds, and Sev are added to the same. This is then served on the traditional green leaf or Kesuda. You can have it with green chillies and chutneys for an unmatched taste. There are many versions of the dish including Ameri Khaman, Nylon Khaman, and even Masala Khaman.
17. Muthiya
These are small cakes that are ideal for breakfasts or evening snacks and are made from chickpea flour, spices, and bottle gourd. They are either pan-fried or steamed, depending on your preferences. Methi, spinach, and other add-ons are also used at times for a lovely taste. It goes best with tea and Pudina/coriander chutney.
18. Kachoris
Kachoris are just as popular in Gujarat as they are in the rest of India. Here, they are prepared in the form of flour balls that are stuffed with fillings as per your choice. Lilva Kachori, for example, is made with peas and the dough is made with semolina and white flour before the Lilva mixture is used (green chilies, pigeon peas, spices, coriander) for rolling it into balls and frying. Served with sauce or chutney, this is one item you shouldn’t miss!
19. Gota
Gota is another traditional food of Gujarat that is the state’s own version of what we know as the pakora. It is crispy, golden, and delicious, made with Methi leaves and gram flour. You’ll be interested to know that the dish comes from the Dakor village in the state and is a popular item during festivals like Holi. It is easy to make and is known for its lovely texture. You can have it with chutney or ketchup.
20. Murghanu Shaak
This dish offers a unique taste of Gujarat and is made with potatoes and chicken. The latter is first marinated with spices, yoghurt, and oil before being cooked in gravy with ginger, garlic, onions, garam masala, chilli powder, and other vegetables. So, if you love non-vegetarian cuisine, this one is worth trying!
21. Chorafali
Chorafali is another tasty snack that is crunchy and uses gram/urad flour along with chilli powder, black salt, and dry mango powder. The dough is made into slim strips which are deep-fried for a crispy texture. Some dry spices are then mixed before serving it. The item is especially popular as a Diwali snack and can be stored in airtight containers for longer durations too.
22. Ghevar
Ghevar is a famous sweet that is popular during Teej and other festivals. It looks like a round disc and is made with water and flour. The batter is fried till it becomes golden and then put into a syrup that makes it juicy and sweet.
23. Mohanthal
It is a tasty sweet that is a lot like fudge, made with ghee, gram flour, and sugar. Cooked intensely for a rich and thick texture, it is mostly flavored with cardamom and nuts like pistachios or almonds. It is a fabulous treat during Janmashtami celebrations as well.
24. Basundi
You will love this creamy and tempting dessert item which is made by simmering milk till it becomes creamy and rich. Sugar is also added with saffron or cardamom and the dish is served chilled for a comforting experience during festivals or after hearty meals.
25. Ghughra/Gujiya
Gujiya or Ghughra is another tasty sweet which is like a small pastry filled with a mixture of nuts, coconut, and dried fruits at times. The dough in this case is folded with the filling and sealed before frying/baking it till it gets a golden texture. Ghughra is then topped with syrup and powdered sugar before being served. It is a popular item for several festivals in Gujarat.
26. Kansar
Kansar is another special traditional food of Gujarat. It is prepared with wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, mixed into a soft pudding that is topped with cashews, cardamom, and almonds.
27. Ghari
Surati Ghari is a popular version of this incredible sweet dish, deriving its name from of the city of Surat. It is eaten during the Chandani Padva festival and has an interesting history behind it. Legend goes that the item was prepared by the cooks of the famous freedom fighter Tatya Tope to offer nourishment to his soldiers on a moon day in 1857. It is made with puri batter, ghee, and milk, along with sweet fillings which are crafted into round shapes. Pistachios and almonds are also used for garnishing at times.
28. Doodhpak
It is a traditional sweet dish in Gujarat that uses ingredients like saffron, milk, cardamom, Basmati rice, and dried fruits. Desi ghee is also added for a special taste. The milk is first thickened with sugar and rice for a lovely texture and burst of flavors. Cardamom powder and dried fruits are also used for garnishing. You can actually have this with Puris for a wonderful experience!
29. Shrikhand
While this dish is popular in many regions of India, the Gujarati version is also extremely delicious. It is yoghurt-based and creamy and people love having it with Puri as well.
Also Read – Traditional Food of Madhya Pradesh
Enjoy Sampling the Traditional Food of Gujarat
The traditional food of Gujarat is a diverse mixture of flavors, highlighting the uniqueness of culinary styles and ingredients across the state. If you are a foodie, you will love the rich culture and history that is conveyed through each dish, right from bustling cities like Ahmedabad and Surat to the unique Kutch region. Gujarati food is not just vibrant, but also a treat for your senses!
