Amritsar, the historical city, holds fame for a multitude of reasons. Visitors from across the globe are drawn to the revered Golden Temple, a place of profound spirituality. Each evening, a vast crowd gathers at the Wagah border to witness the captivating Beating Retreat ceremony. Whether it's the Durgiana Temple or the poignant Jallianwala Bagh, tourists flock to Amritsar, eager to explore its captivating attractions and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture. Amidst all these experiences, there is one irresistible aspect that entices every visitor - the delectable gastronomic delights found in this city, renowned for its culinary richness.
Amritsar, renowned for its culinary prowess, boasts a plethora of legendary food joints that are consistently featured on the must-visit list for food enthusiasts. Yet, it is the city's exceptional breakfast joints that truly steal the spotlight. Punjabi cuisine is celebrated for its indulgent and flavorful breakfast dishes, and savouring these mouth-watering delicacies in the vibrant culinary hub of Amritsar is an experience that lingers in memory forever.
Kulchas Of Amritsar
The undisputed king of breakfast in Amritsar is the world-renowned Amritsari Kulcha. This delectable dish features a crispy, flaky flatbread that is stuffed with a filling of your choice and cooked to perfection in a blazing hot tandoor. The traditional fillings include Aloo (potato), Aloo Pyaaz (potato and onion), Gobhi (cauliflower), and Paneer (Indian cottage cheese), all tantalizingly seasoned with indigenous spices such as Anardana (pomegranate seeds), Coriander Seeds, Red chilli powder, green chillies, and a unique blend of garam masala crafted by each Kulcha vendor in town. It is the combination of these spices and cooking styles that sets each food joint apart, but it is also the accompaniments of Chole (spiced chickpeas) and Imli Pyaaz ki chutney (tamarind onion chutney) that help forge the loyal following of the legendary Kulcha Walas of Amritsar.
For the past 70 years, Pehalwan Kulcha has been delighting its devoted customers with its signature crispy and mouthwatering Amritsari kulchas, accompanied by perfectly spiced chole (chickpeas) and tangy onions drenched in a delectable chutney. This culinary combination has earned its well-deserved place in the gastronomical hall of fame. The captivating sight of tandoors continuously churning out a variety of kulchas is enough to awaken your appetite, and the flaky and spicy kulchas themselves fully satisfy your cravings. As you soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this remarkable kulcha joint in Amritsar, you can't help but be captivated by the morning buzz while relishing the irresistible charm of Pehalwan Kulcha.
In Amritsar, the world of kulchas expands beyond a single variety. Among the array of options that capture the attention of food enthusiasts, two popular versions stand out: the bheega kulcha (kulcha soaked in spiced chole) and the baked kulchas served with Nutrela, affectionately known as Nutri Kulcha. Nutri Kulcha presents a unique dish where soya chunks are slow-cooked in a flavorful gravy, imparting a chole-like taste but prepared with soya. It offers a robust and spicier way to relish kulchas. It's a common sight to witness the pleasure of enjoying these kulchas beside a street cart as food lovers flock to the vibrant food junctions across the city.
Jalebi
Located at Jalebian Chowk, Gurdasram Jalebiwala has earned a well-deserved reputation for preparing some of the finest jalebis in India. While it may sound like a lofty assertion, a single visit to this renowned junction, named after the iconic sweet itself, is enough to substantiate this claim. The jalebis are thick and freshly made right before the eyes of the customers. The delectable juiciness of these jalebis serves as a testament to the legendary status of Gurdasram Jalebiwala and the discerning palates of the city's residents, who truly appreciate the harmonious sweetness and the satisfying crunch of these beloved treats
Chole Poori
In addition to the famous kulchas, Amritsar takes immense pride in its Chole Poori breakfast, with none other than Kanha Sweets at Lawrence Road offering an exceptional experience of this delightful delicacy. Served alongside the generously-sized pooris are spiced chickpeas (Chole), aloo Launji (a sweet and spicy potato curry), and onions, creating a symphony of flavours. For avid Chole Poori enthusiasts, a visit to Kanha Sweets is an absolute must, made even sweeter by the irresistible gur ka halwa available there. This luscious halwa is a true delight for connoisseurs, and it's not just worth trying; it's also worth getting it packed to share with your loved ones back home. The indulgence of savouring this slurpy halwa will leave you craving for more.
Cardamom Tea
To experience a rejuvenating cup of tea, make your way to Giani Tea Stall on Cooper Road. Here, you'll be treated to their signature foamy masala chai, skillfully prepared in traditional copper vessels and beautifully garnished with fragrant cardamom and delicate almond flakes. Giani Tea Stall is a perfect pitstop during your culinary expedition across the city, offering the opportunity to savour a robust "Kadak Chai" alongside their mouthwatering snacks like kachori, omelette, or their special paneer pakode. Immerse yourself in the bustling ambience of this famous tea stall, where locals gather for tea and engaging conversations with friends.
Punjabi Lassi
No breakfast in Amritsar is truly complete without indulging in a sinful glass of Punjabi Lassi. While lassi walas can be found throughout the city, the experience of having lassi at the famous Gian di Lassi is simply unmissable for those seeking an authentic taste of Amritsari cuisine. Prepared with fresh and creamy chilled yogurt, blended with just the right amount of sugar, and crowned with a generous layer of luscious malai (cream), a glass of lassi at Gian di Lassi is a true delight. This refreshing beverage is sure to rejuvenate you on a hot sunny day and bring a genuine smile of satisfaction to any food lover's face, perhaps even inspiring a spontaneous Bhangra dance. However, the bustling ambience of the crowded shop, filled with avid lassi enthusiasts, might give you a moment's pause before breaking into your dance moves.
Amritsari Aam Papad
After indulging in the mouth-watering delicacies of Amritsar, it's important to find a way to aid digestion. Fortunately, Amritsar has just the solution: Mango fruit leather, locally known as Aam Papad, is a delightful treat that can be found throughout the city. Whether you visit street vendors or renowned old shops, you'll discover a variety of Aam Papads, churans, and other digestive aids. One highly recommended preparation to try is the Aam Papad chaat. This delectable dish features different styles of Aam Papad topped with an array of masalas and a squeeze of lemon juice, creating an irresistible fusion of flavours.
Each type of Aam Papad possesses its own distinct taste, such as the sweetness of the regular aam papad, the tanginess of the aam papad made with raw mangos, or the dry texture of the aam papad made with the famed dussehri mango. These unique flavours reach new heights when prepared using the local techniques and ingredients. Not only does savouring Aam Papad chaat provide a perfect finale to your food walk in Amritsar, but it also serves as an ideal product to take back home, allowing you to share the flavours and memories of your culinary journey with others.
Amritsar offers a plethora of culinary delights that can keep food enthusiasts occupied for weeks on end. From local dhabas serving scrumptious parathas, dals, and flavorful paneer bhurjee to indulging in chola bhaturas and Bread Pakodas, the city has an array of options to satisfy every craving. The early opening of sweet shops and the wide range of dairy products available only add to the gastronomic allure of Amritsar.
Breakfast, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of those exploring Amritsar. The impressive variety of dishes and their delectable flavours make it a must-have experience for anyone visiting the culinary and cultural capital of Punjab. If you have yet to visit Amritsar, it's high time you plan a trip to this enchanting city. And if you've already been, it's worth returning soon because a true food lover can only resist the temptation of Amritsar's culinary wonders for so long. So, keep exploring and indulging in the delightful flavours that Amritsar has to offer!
Sidharth Bhan Gupta, Founder of 361 Degrees Hospitality, is a Hospitality / Food and Beverage / Restaurant Consultant, Travelling across India on a Cultural and Culinary Exploration.