Boasting high-rise corporate buildings, broad roads, and developing infrastructure, Gurugram, formerly known as Gurgaon, is among one of the most upcoming cities in Haryana. With migrants searching for jobs, it has become home to lakhs of people from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, etc. It features high-end restaurants, budget-friendly food joints, and street-side stalls selling traditional chaat to whatnot.
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While roaming around the city, exploring parks, and enjoying pubs is fun, you should also try out eateries that serve authentic foods from Indian cuisine. Apart from being known as a metropolitan city, Gurugram is a city for foodies to explore a wide palate of food and satiate their taste buds. Here are a couple of items that are a must-try in the city.
Tandoori Fish
Marinated in a mixture of hung curd and spices, tandoor fish is a delicious dish that people in Gurugram love to enjoy. It has a charred texture and smoky flavour that makes it a street food delight in the city. Served with mint chutney and spicy dip, tandoor fish is the best tea-time snack. You can order pan-fried, grilled, and baked tandoori fish variants to be paired with rice, naan, or salad. Next time you are in the city, satisfy your hunger with your favourite food.
Recommendations: Deep Chicken & Fish Corner, Pappu Fish Corner
Type: Non-veg
Budget: Rs 250 - Rs 350
Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka is a popular Punjabi dish and a variant of chicken tikka. Cottage cheese is marinated in a flavourful combination of curd, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and other whole spices. It is charred on an open tandoor along with marinated onions and capsicum slices. Each bite is a burst of flavour in the mouth. Accompanied with mint green chutney, paneer tikka tastes best when paired with naan or rice. Succulent pieces of paneer will make your stomach go gaga.
Recommendations: Dana Choga, Tempted By Tandoor, Ambarsari Chowk
Type: Veg and Non-Veg
Budget: Rs 300 - Rs 400
Pakora
Pakora is a famous Indian snack in which vegetables and meat pieces are dipped in a batter, usually of gram flour, and deep fried until golden brown and crispy. Adding flavours to this dish are spices, including turmeric powder, black pepper powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and coriander powder, that give batter its sumptuous palate They are often paired with a cup of tea or coffee and served with green chutney and ketchup on the side. Some of the most common recipes include deep frying cauliflower, onion, potato, and green chillies.
Recommendations: Gohana Famous Jalebi, Nukkadwala, Pakode Wali Aunty
Type: Veg
Budget: Rs 100 - Rs 200
Mughlai Dishes
If you are a fan of rich and creamy Mughlai dishes, Gurugram is the city where you should try nihari, butter chicken, Mughlai chicken, chicken korma, shahi paneer, and murg tandoor. Most of these curries have a tomato and onion gravy base that is loaded with fresh cream for a velvety texture and richness. These curries are best paired with naan, rumali roti, and rice. The city has many restaurants that are known for serving sumptuous dishes from this cuisine for you to embark on a gastronomic journey.
Recommendations: Dana Choga, Kebabs & Curries, Ghee and Turmeric
Type: Veg and Non-Veg
Budget: Rs 300 - Rs 500
Chole Bhature
Being a part of Haryana, chole bhature is a popular dish devoured by people living in Gurugram. Maida dough is rolled into large puri, which is deep fried and served with spiced chickpea gravy. There is nothing more fun than poking a hot bhatura and watching the steam escape as you hurriedly take a bite with a good scoop of chickpea curry in it. Many restaurants serve it with pickles and spiced green chillies, a deadly combo can leave you in a food coma.
Recommendations: Beeji De Chole Bhature, Om Sweets, Mintoo De Chole Bhature
Type: Veg
Budget: Rs 100 - Rs 150
Pav Bhaji
Though among the famous street foods of Mumbai, pav bhaji is quite popular in Gurugram as well. Roasted pav is served with a flavour bhaji made with mixed vegetables and special bhaji masala. Many restaurants top the bhaji with a generous slice of butter and fresh coriander leaves that make the dish even more satisfying. Ask for extra pickled onions from the vendor, and you will lick your fingers after finishing with the delicacy. If you are craving this street food delight, there are a few joints in the city where you should visit.
Recommendations: Bombay Best Pav Bhaji, Kusheshwar Bhagat Best Pav Bhaji
Type: Veg
Budget: Rs 120 - Rs 200