The song “Tujhe Dekha Toh Ye Jana Sanam,” from DDLJ reminds us of the famous scene in the mustard fields of Punjab—a stunning destination to be at, isn’t it? From beautiful spots for sightseeing to witnessing the cultures and traditions, the state has a way of wrapping itself in our hearts. And don’t even get us started with the food here! Punjabi cuisine has a special place in the hearts of every Indian and for good reason. Here are some must-try foods in Punjab that will get you drooling.
Must Try Food In Punjab To Get You Drooling
- Lassi
- Dahi Balla
- Golgappe
- Pakora
- Amritsari Kulcha
- Makki Di Roti
- Paratha
- Chole Bhature
- Butter Chicken
- Rajma Chawal
- Pinni
1. Lassi
Sweet or salted, a glass of lassi is something that one can’t miss out on when in Punjab. It is customary to greet visitors with a glass of iced, freshly made lassi in a Punjabi household. This delicious drink is made from fresh, thick yogurt with additions of natural flavors like dry fruits, saffron, and fruits like mango and strawberry. Rabdi is used as a garnish which completes the dish.
The color is mostly white or varies depending on the flavor. This rich, creamy, delicious, and stomach-filling drink is usually served freshly in a large steel glass or earthen glass. Lassi as a street drink never fails to bring joy to tourists’ faces when in Punjab.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Ahuja Lassi, Gian di Lassi, and Patiala Shahi Lassi are a few of the many shops considered to be the best when it comes to lassi.
2. Dahi Balla
Dahi Balla is nothing more than another name for Dahi Vada. This is another beloved dish that you must try whenever you visit Punjab. The vadas are made from dal flour, deep fried, and dipped in chilled curd. It is then topped with sweet and spicy chutney to give a balanced flavor to the dish. The size of the vada is a bit large, just like the heart of Punjab! This sweet, spicy, and savory dish is absolutely perfect to eat at any time of the day.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Sachdeva Dahi Bhalla is one of the most popular food outlets in Punjab to have chaat at, especially dahi vadas or dahi ballas.
3. Golgappe
Golgappa, panipuri, phuchka, or pani ke patashe, call it by any name, but this chaat remains evergreen to this day. Punjab also tops the charts for selling the best golgappas. Crunchy and crispy puris made with wheat flour are filled with mashed boiled potatoes, spicy, ice-cold water, and tamarind chutney. Golgappe are an absolute treat for your tastebuds. To eat a plate of golgappa, you need no particular time, epecially if you are in Punjab doing nothing or something.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: The Golgappa Bar, Vinod Golgappe, and Chat Bhandar are well known for their different flavors of golgappas. For all you chaat fans out there, this is a must-try.
4. Pakora
Punjab, as a state and tourist destination, never fails to surprise when it comes to food items, be it on the street or in restaurants. Another food from Punjab is pakora, which you should certainly give a try. Prepared with ingredients like besan flour and a mix of different vegetables such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and chillies, the mixture is combined with water until it forms a thick batter and is then deep-fried in oil until crispy and golden brown. This is an outstanding dish to have with a cup of tea or coffee on winter mornings or as an evening snack.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Panna Singh Pakore Wala in Ludhiana and Roop Rani Kadi Pakora Wale in Amritsar is a must-try food outlet to enjoy hot, fresh, and crispy pakoras from.
5. Amritsari Kulcha
When exploring the streets of Punjab, you don’t want to miss out on the delicious kulcha. You must add Amritsari kulcha on your food list. We promise, you certainly won’t regret it. These kulchas are one of the most fulfilling and scrumptious dishes you’ll come across. The soft flaky bread, filled with mashed potatoes and spices, served hot with a dollop of desi butter is an absolute paradise and you must definitely try it out. The healthy dose of butter makes them richer and flavorsome. So if you are looking for a hearty meal, Amritsari Kulchas are the perfect choice.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Pehalwan Kulcha and Kulcha Land are two good places to try kulchas when you’re in Punjab. They also serve some yummy side dishes like Chole.
6. Makki Di Roti Aur Sarson Ka Saag
An absolutely stunning creation of Punjab is none other than Makki Di Roti. The roti, which is considered royalty’s food, is made from leavened bread and corn and is a popular dish among North Indians, particularly Punjabis. It is typically served with Sarson Ka Saag, which is a gravy made from mustard greens. This combination is super popular in Punjab and must be experienced at least once. A plate of hot makki ki roti with a dollop of white butter, and a bowl of steaming hot sarson ka saag essentially is Punjab on a plate!
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Kesar Da Dhaba and Rang Punjab are a few restaurants to try out if you are someone who likes eating wholesome dishes like Makki Di Roti.
7. Paratha
If you are in Punjab and haven’t tasted their famous paratha, then it is a total shame! Punjabi cuisine offers a wide range of food items and this is the most appealing aspect of visiting Punjab. And the experience of having a plate of hot parathas with desi ghee and dahi, at a local dhaba is one that every foodie must try!
Paratha is usually plain or stuffed flatbreads. As simple as it sounds, it is super tasty to eat. Stuffed with the goodness of onions, keema, potatoes, or cottage cheese, the taste just levels up. Both can be eaten on their own or with side dishes such as curd and pickles.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Pandit Parantha Wala which is in Ludhiana is one of the best places to have parathas.
8. Chole Bhature
For all spice lovers, another scrumptious dish is chole bhature, which is without a doubt a mind-blowing combination. Chole is spicy chickpea curry, which is flavorful thanks to the several spices and aromatics used in its curry base. Usually, the bhatura is a fried flatbread, which is super soft and simply melts in your mouth.
The amazing combination of the chole and bhaturas is something that is appreciated by all foodies. Garnished with tonnes of coriander, squeezed lemon, and slices of onion, the dish is an integral part of every North Indian’s daily life and one simply can’t argue about it!
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Bharawan Da Dhaba Amritsar and Haveli in Amritsar Punjab are some of the most visited places specially to eat chole bhature.
9. Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is yet another all-time favorite that you must try out when you are in Punjab. This dish is a rich, thick, and creamy gravy loaded with lots of aromatic spices and a hint of sweetness. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and is super tender and juicy – a perfect pairing with the gravy. Butter chicken tastes even better when served with rumali roti or naan. A visit to Punjab calls for at least one excursion for a plate of butter chicken and naan.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: A few places in Ludhiana like the Chicken Plaza and Aman Chicken Dhaba are good options to try out some yummy butter chicken to satisfy your cravings.
10. Rajma Chawal
Even though the dish originated in Kashmir, Rajma Chawal is something that is loved by everyone, especially Punjabis. The combination of hot, piping rajma curry with rice and sides like onion pickles is the perfect recipe to a hearty home-cooked meal. Rajma chawal is more than just food for Indian. It is a sentiment that echoes home and ghar ka khanna.
The kidney beans curry is made in a tangy, spicy gravy base with aromatics like bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc. The Rajma curry can be enjoyed with just about any kind of rice, but it pairs well with jeera rice. When you’re missing your home in Punjab, go for a wholesome bowl of Rajma Chawal.
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: The Street Bite and Patiala A-1 Dhaba are food outlets in Ludhiana that serves some of the best Rajma Chawal.
11. Pinni
The best thing about Punjab is that the people express their love through food. Pinni is a Punjabi winter dessert that is enjoyed largely during Lohri and other such festivals. Made with loads of almonds, wheat flour, jaggery, and desi ghee, this delicious sweet is also coated with that extra dose of love. The ingredients help give warmth to the body during the winter season, essentially giving you a warm hug in the winters!
Best Places To Eat In Punjab: Punjabi Rasoi and Rangla Punjab shops are where you get the best Pinni to try out.
Summing Up
This is an incredible list of incredible foods that you must try in Punjab. We’re sure this entire article has got your mouth watering and now you’re convinced to plan your next trip to Punjab. So pack your bags and get your appetite ready to witness the magic of authentic food in the North!
FAQs
What Is Madhani In Punjabi Culture?
Madhani means kitchen equipment that is used for making rotis, bread, and churning out butter, and these equipment are called wooden churners, belans, and chaklas.
What Is Punjab Best Known For?
Punjab is popular for many reasons, but the main highlight is that it is known as the “land of five rivers” and is famous for its stunning landscape, scrumptious foods, and vibrant culture.
Which Sweet Is Famous In Punjab?
Despite being famous for various things, the famous sweet of Punjab is panjiri.
What Is A Bhapa In Punjabi?
The term ‘bhapa’ is usually used in the Rawalpindi area of Punjab, and the term is used for elder members of a family like an elder brother or father.
Which City Of Punjab Is The Richest?
The city of Fakirs in Amritsar, which is across the Sacred Tank from the Golden Temple, is considered to be the richest city in Punjab.
What Is The Most Popular Drink Of Punjab?
Lassi, a yoghurt-based drink, is the most popular drink out of the many in Punjab.
What Are Punjab Sweets?
Gur paare, boondi ladoo, and roasted chana barfi are some of the delicacies of Punjab.
