The capital city of India, Delhi, is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and, more importantly, FOOD. Sure, you know the food in Delhi is as spicy as the local tongue, with every dish being coated in spices and herbs. From the savory chaat and kebabs of Old Delhi to the sophisticated Mughlai dishes and modern fusion foods, the food here is worth the strenuous travel. But don’t let the orange gravies trick you into believing that Delhi only has the spice to offer, for the dessert scene is equally amazing, if not more.
While the gourmet desserts have made a mark here, traditional milk-based dishes still hold a special place in the hearts of every Delhiite. Milk, a staple and versatile ingredient in Indian cuisine, is often transformed into a variety of delightful delicacies. These range from sweets like kheer, rasgulla, and barfi to beverages like lassi and masala chai. Whether enjoyed as a dessert, a snack, or a refreshing drink, the traditional milk dishes offer a comforting taste of the city’s rich culinary history. Let’s go through the streets of Delhi and find some of the best milk dishes.
Best Milk Dishes In Delhi
1. Kulfi
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, when the day used to come to an end at school and you would rush to the nearest kulfi wale bhaiya for a chilled, refreshing kulfi. This is an Indian version of ice cream and is an eternal favorite because of the sweet tones that hit just right. The OG version of this summer-time delicacy is made from milk and sugar, however, you get different flavors of kulfis now. From vanilla flavors like chocolate or dry fruit to quirky flavors like paan and gulkand, ask for a customized kulfi and you’ll get one.
Whether you’re a Delhiite or a wanderer in Delhi, you must definitely savor some of this sweetness. Pro tip? Have a kulfi during summer and ask to top it up with some rabri if you’re one with a sweet tooth!
Best Places To Have Kulfi:
Kuremal Mohal Lal Kulfi Wale: Shop No. 526 Kucha Pati Ram, Sitaram Bazar Road, Chawri Bazar
2. Shahi Tukda
Ever wondered what luxury must taste like? It most likely tastes like this creamy, sweet, and delicious Shahi Tukda, a favorite in Delhi. You’ll find it in almost every restaurant and confectionery in Delhi because of its milky flavors and historical significance. This decadent treat translates to “royal piece”. It consists of fried bread slices soaked in fragrant sugar syrup or chashni and topped with rabri or thickened milk.
The soaked bread is generously layered with creamy rabri, garnished with slivers of almonds, pistachios, and a sprinkle of cardamom (yes, it’s the cardamom that makes you take that long whiff before eating). You’ll find this sweet at every wedding and party in Delhi, for its rich taste and royal heritage evoke the opulence of Mughal-era cuisine.
Best Places To Have Shahi Tukda:
Cool Point Shahi Tukda: 933, Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid
3. Rasmalai
Next up is the dish that’s known to give a sugar coma to most Delhiites but it’s still a beloved nonetheless– Rasmalai. This delectable treat consists of soft, spongy cottage cheese patties, called chenna, soaked in a sweet, thickened milk syrup infused with cardamom and saffron. The preparation begins with boiling milk to curdle it and then straining the whey to form chenna. Next, it’s kneaded and shaped into round patties after thoroughly cooling down, which are then cooked in sugar syrup.
Separately, milk is reduced and sweetened, often garnished with nuts like pistachios and almonds. Once the patties are added to the flavored milk, the dessert is chilled and served cold. Rasmalai’s popularity in Delhi is widely because of its luxurious taste and the refreshing, cool sensation it provides, making it an ideal dessert for the region’s hot climate. Its elegant presentation and rich flavors make it a festive favorite at celebrations and special occasions.
Best Places To Have Rasmalai:
Hira Sweets: E-60, Vikas Marg, Veer Savarkar Block G, Laxmi Nagar
4. Rabri Falooda
If you thought one dessert couldn’t satisfy your sugar cravings, here’s a rather unusual sweet that’s got both, sugar and health balanced– the Rabri Falooda. It’s a blend of the rich, creamy texture of rabri, a traditional thickened milk dish, with the refreshing, gelatinous strands of falooda, made from cornflour. It’s prepared by simmering milk on low heat until it reduces to a thick consistency, and then adding sugar and cardamom for flavor. Separately, falooda strands are boiled and chilled, often mixed with rose syrup for added sweetness and color.
The dessert is then combined by layering the falooda strands with the chilled rabri. You can even garnish it with nuts and even a scoop of ice cream. Its blend of textures and the delicious play of sweet, aromatic flavors make it a favorite in Delhi, particularly during the hot summer months, providing a delightful and cooling treat that is both satisfying and indulgent.
Best Places To Have Rabri Falooda:
Giani Di Hatti: Bagh Deewar, Katra Ghel, Fatehpuri, Chandni Chowk
5. Daulat Ki Chaat
Last but not least, Daulat ki Chaat is a unique and delicate dessert, cherished in Delhi, especially during the winter months. This traditional treat is crafted from fresh, frothy milk, which is painstakingly whisked and left to cool in the open air overnight. This lets the cream rise. The frothy mixture is then combined with saffron, sugar, and cardamom, creating a light, airy dessert that will melt in your mouth. It is typically garnished with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and sometimes crushed dry fruits to add a touch of richness. Daulat ki Chaat is a local favorite for its texture.
Best Places To Have Daulat Ki Chaat:
Khemchand Daulat Ki Chaat: Gali Paranthe Wali Inside the Street Kinari Bazaar Chandni Chowk, Near Ram Chandra Krishan Chandra Sarees Shop
6. Barfi
Barfi, a quintessential Indian dessert, is a beloved sweet treat in Delhi. Made primarily from condensed milk, sugar, and ghee, barfi is prepared by simmering the mixture until it thickens, then adding various ingredients like cardamom, nuts, or coconut for additional flavor. Once the mixture reaches the desired consistency, it is spread out in a flat tray to cool and set before being cut into diamond or square shapes.
The sweet’s popularity stems from the fact that it literally melts in your mouth at the first bite and can be made in a variety of flavors. That and the fact that how quickly it gets prepared are reasons it’s staple at festivals, celebrations, and family gatherings. The sweet, creamy taste, combined with the delicate crunch of nuts or the aroma of cardamom, makes barfi a cherished dessert that’s loved by both traditional and modern palates.
Best Places To Have Barfi:
Gur-Chini: 145, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Sultanpur
7. Milk Cake
Last but not least, your trip to Delhi is incomplete if you’ve not had milk in its best form, the cake. Nobody dislikes a cake, especially when it’s made from something as healthy as milk! Milk cake is a dense, sweet treat made primarily from milk, sugar, and a touch of acidic agent like lemon juice or citric acid. The preparation begins by boiling and reducing milk until it thickens, which is then sweetened with sugar and further cooked until it acquires a rich, caramelized color and grainy texture.
An acidic agent is added to curdle the milk slightly for texture. The mixture is then poured into a mold, allowed to set, and then cut into pieces. Milk cake’s popularity in Delhi can be attributed to its unique combination of creamy sweetness and slight tanginess, which is loved by the local palate. Its rich flavor makes it a favorite during festivals and special occasions, encapsulating the traditional essence of Indian sweets with every bite.
Best Places To Have Milk Cake:
Meethi: 20/48, Malcha Marg Market, Chanakyapuri
Summing Up
The next time you get an earful for hogging on sweets, tell them you’re just eating healthy, sweet milk because you are! And if they don’t believe you, take them to Delhi and get them these traditional milk dishes from the most well-known places to give them a bite of heaven!
FAQs
What Is The Traditional Food Of Delhi?
Non-vegetarian food is essentially synonymous with the traditional food of Delhi. Dishes like tandoori chicken, butter chicken, and nalli nihari can be considered the traditional food of the city.
What Are 5 Things Made With Milk?
There are several byproducts of milk like butter, cheese, yogurt, ghee, buttermilk, and more.
What To Eat With Milk At Night?
One should ideally never go to sleep on a hungry stomach. If your appetite isn’t large, pair a glass of milk with some cheese crackers, cookies, or a slice of bread.
