Gujarati cuisine is famous across India and abroad for the variety of flavours it encapsulates. Sweet and savoury dishes, spicy snacks, homemade drinks, delectable desserts, and whatnot. From Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi promoting the state's regional food to Bollywood actors like Kartika Aaryan relishing local delights, the popularity of Gujarati food has taken a higher level.
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However, like every other Indian state, Gujarat also has many regions with different agrarian lifestyles, preferences of locals, and culinary past. A town in the west of Gujarat might be known for a different delicacy than one located in the east of the state. If you are interested in diving into the food scenes of Gujarat, do it with the regional micro cuisines that also paint a beautiful picture of its culture.
Ankleshwar And Bharuch Cuisine
The southern towns of Gujarat are where you will find Bohra and Parsi communities residing. This has a great influence on the local food. Thus, Indian recipes showcase Persian blend, which makes dishes like malai na khaja (dessert with multiple layers of cream and puff pastry), Bharuchi akuri (scrambled eggs made in Persian style along with a sprinkle of Indian spices), and Surti Ponk (a dish prepared using tender green millet).
Kutchi Cuisine
The Kutch region is known for its picturesque white desert, handlooms and textiles, and history, but only a few foodies know about its culinary heritage. Since the region is arid, the dishes prepared here are quite simple but they will surely please your taste buds. You will also find locals using a lot of dairy products and pulses to prepare these lip-smacking delights. A couple of dishes originating from this region are chhundo (mango pickle), dabeli, khichdo, and Kutchi khichdi.
Kathiawadi Cuisine
Saurashtra peninsular region experiences a dry climate making it difficult to grow crops here. Therefore, the locals use a lot of spices and prepare many dishes with bajra and sorghum. The boldness of flavours will leave you asking for more. If you decide to try dishes from Kathiawadi cuisine, start your gastronomic journey with ringna na olo (roasted eggplant), bajra roti, gathiya (thick, deep-fried chickpea flour sticks), and sev tameta nu shaak (tomato curry garnished with crunchy sev).
Halai Memon Cuisine
This regional micro cuisine is inspired by the food history carried through generations by the Halai Memon community who were settlers from the Arabian Peninsula. They brought the taste of Middle Eastern food and blended it with the flavours of Gujarati cuisine. If you have to explore this cuisine, you should start with khichda (a slow-cooked meat comprising wheat, meat, and lentils), mutton samosa, and dabba gosht (meat cooked in a scrumptious mix of spices).
Ahmedabadi Cuisine
In central Gujarat and the capital of the state, Ahmedabad, gastronomes can experience Ahmedabadi micro cuisine. It showcases an impeccable blend of salty and savoury notes. Popular fafda, dhokla, patra, jalebi, and kadhi are from this region. These dishes are also an integral part of the thali served at many restaurants in the city.
Surti Cuisine
If you ever decide to visit Surat, the trade hub of India, you must relish the local food that will leave your taste buds tantalised. The dishes in the region boast savoury, sweet, and spicy notes. With a mesmerising culture and irresistible food scenes, the city will surely captivate your heart. Try regional delights like Surti locho (steamed snack prepared with lentils), undhiyu, Surti sev khamani (crumbled khaman garnished with sev), and ghari (a sweet pastry prepared with dry fruits and ghee).