29 Food Specialities Of 29 States Of India (Jammu and Kashmir)

The crown of the nation is not just soothing to the eyes but also does wonders for your taste. Mouthwatering delicacies of Kashmiri food will leave your stomach full but your tongue still craving for more. What’s more is that it’s not just one cuisine from the north that will do this. Kashmir and Leh regions have different cuisines, each to their own and once you try them out you’ll realize why this variety could not have fit one plate at once. Here is a list of some of the most popular Kashmiri food dishes which everyone must try at least once in their lifetime.

The beautiful state of Kashmir is not only famous for its beauty and serenity but the state also offers authentic non-vegetarian dishes too. Kashmiri food is mild in taste and rich in flavour with the high use of hot spices like cardamom, fennel, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and saffron. Influenced by Mughals, Kashmiri cuisine is predominantly non-vegetarian, with mutton, chicken or fish used as prime ingredients but there are a few delicacies for vegetarians too!

Jammu and Kashmir or J&K, like other states of India, showcases myriads of flavorsome dishes that are an indispensable part of the traditional Indian cuisine. While the authentic dishes of Jammu (a part of J&K) have some enticing rice and vegetable based items, Kashmir Valley (also a part of J&K) offers Wazwan, a conventional multicourse, mostly based on meat preparations.

. Kachaloo Chaat – A famous street food

What is it: Spiced up taro roots, when prepared with potatoes or aloo, called aloo kachaloo chaat.

What does it taste like: This sumptuous snack offers a combined taste of lemon, red chili flakes, black-eyed beans, and tamarind in the best way possible. Tangy and spicy to its core, this is a must for you.

. Rogan Josh

A must try dish for all the Lamb or meat lovers, Rogan Josh, an aromatic lamb dish is one of the signature recipes of Kashmiri cuisine. It was introduced in India with the coming of the Mughals. Robust with flavours of browned onions, various spices and yoghurt, it is a very healthy low-fat dish. Try it with rice or naan and you will yearn for more.

. Kaladi Kulcha – A popular preparation

What is it: Mozzarella like cheese made from goat or cow milk and served with kulchas or bread and garnished with cooked vegetables. This dish owes it origin to Udhampur of Jammu.

What does it taste like: The spongy blob creates a heavenly taste when associated with condiments or chutney, like chili or garlic chutney.

. Modur Pulav

Modhur Pulav is the name given to sweetened Kashmiri rice prepared using cinnamon, a little saffron, milk, ghee,
sugar, cashew nuts, almonds, green cardamom among several other ingredients. This dish is sweet, flavoured and healthy with saffron as the main spice which gives it beautiful colour and taste. And this saffron is also grown and in Kashmir itself. The distinctive taste of this pulav is unlike something you’ve ever tasted before. Just taste once and you will be left craving for more.

. Rajma Chawal – A common veg staple food

What is it: Red kidney beans or rajma curry served with rice. The sweetness of kidney beans are exclusive to Jammu, hence the dish is quite a popular one.

What does it taste like: Spices like chili and turmeric powder along with onions and tomatoes make this main dish a delectable one. The mild aroma that it imparts is a result of using fresh coriander leaves.

. Matschgand

Let the aroma of Kashmiri cuisine seduce your taste buds. Again a dish for the meat eaters, go ahead and try Matschgand if you wish to see the gluttony side of your personality! Matschgand is actually a dish of minced meatballs which is cooked in spicy red gravy. And it indeed is a dish which can totally seduce your taste buds!

. Khatta Meat – A Dogri food

What is it: A mutton preparation defined by its gravy or curry. This preparation is an upshot of the Dogra dynasty that had substantial supremacy over the state.

What does it taste like: As the name suggests, khatta means sour, and it is sour but in a delicious way. The tangy flavor is achieved either by anardana (pomegranate seeds) or amchur (dry mango) powder.

. Yakhni or Yoghurt Lamb Curry

If you wish to taste an authentic Kashmiri delicacy, then you must taste Yakhni which is lamb cooked in yoghurt based gravy. Yakhni is flavoured with mawal flowers, black and green cardamoms, onion paste and dry mint leaves with aromatic fennel seeds. Have it with well-cooked rice to enjoy the true flavour of this mouthwatering Kashmiri dish.

. Patisa – A sweet item

What is it: Alternatively known as “son papri” or “sohan papdi”, these little cubes are prepared from a mixture of gram and maida flour together.

What does it taste like: The soft yet smooth texture satisfies your sweet teeth as milk and syrup do their part.

. Nadru Yakhni – A Kashmiri pandit food

What is it: Lotus roots floating in yogurt sauce.

What does it taste like: The sweetness is well balanced with spices like cumin seeds, black and green cardamoms.

Jammu and Kashmir, has always been known for its quaint and scenic beauty, but it’s various types of foods deserve equal attention as well. Hopefully, after reading the article you will gear up to taste them as they perfectly represent the food culture of the state.

Different Types of Tea

Kashmiris drink two types of tea namely Noon Chai, or Sheer Chai and Kahwah. The former is the most popular beverage of the Kashmiris who drink tea heavily. This noon chai where ‘noon’ means salt in Kashmiri language is made of black tea, salt, milk and bicarbonate of soda. The tea gets its unique pink colour from the distinct style of its preparation and of course due to the use of soda. While the Kashmiri Muslims call it ‘Namkeen Chai’ or ‘Noon Chai’, the Kashmiri Pandits generally call it the ‘Sheer Chai’. It is usually consumed in Kashmiri households along with breads during breakfast.

Kahwah is a green tea prepared with different spices, walnuts or almonds and saffron. Different households prepare this tea differently thus marking more than twenty varieties of Kahwah. It has become a custom to serve this tea at religious places, festivals and at marriages. Some Kashmiri Pundits belonging to small villages of the region refer this tea as ‘Maugal Chai’ while the Kashmiri Pundits and Muslims living in cities call it ‘Kahwah’ or ‘Qahwah’.

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