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Jamnagar, a city located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and delectable cuisine. Nestled along the Gulf of Kutch, this vibrant city has a rich history as a princely city and a culinary legacy to match. The local cuisine of Jamnagar reflects the diverse influences that have shaped the region over the years. From aromatic spices to savoury snacks, Jamnagar's food scene offers a delightful journey through the culinary tapestry of Gujarat. Here are 8 foods you absolutely cannot miss out on if you’re visiting Jamnagar.
Video Credits: Street Food And Travel TV India/YouTube
8 Must-Try Foods Of Jamnagar
Dal Puri
This dish, similar to Dal Pakwan is typically known as being a Sindhi breakfast favourite but it also has huge popularity in Gujarat. The lentils are expertly cooked, resulting in a creamy and comforting texture, complemented by the satisfying crunch of puffed rice but instead of the crispy pakwanserved with hot puris to mop it up. Garnished with fresh coriander, chopped onions, and a hint of lemon, this dish not only enhances its taste but also its presentation. Dal Pawan is a cherished comfort food in Jamnagar.
Ghughra
These may resemble karanjis or other sweets you find across India but Jamnagar’s famous version is actually a savoury treat. A dough circle is stuffed with a mix of potatoes, white peas, ginger, garlic, onions and spices and then folded, sealed and deep-fried until you get a crispy golden crescent. It’s then topped off with chutneys and a handful of peanuts and sev for a sweet, sour, spicy, crunchy snack.
Katka Bread
This unique street food is a favourite of Jamnagar and is also sometimes called bread chaat. Pieces of bread (usually ladi pav) are soaked in tamarind chutney (although that’s not always a necessity), and adorned with boiled potato, spiced peanuts, pomegranate, additional chutneys, and a sprinkle of coriander. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread in a dish that offers a variety of tastes and textures for your snacking satisfaction.
Lasaniya Jota
This flavour bomb of a dish is also reliant and pav, and though visually it will probably remind you of a dabeli, the taste is very different. A spicy garlic and peanut chutney is made with plenty of chilli powder and then slathered on the inside of a cut pav. The pav is then loaded up with more masala peanuts and finished with a squeeze of lime. This dish isn’t for the faint of heart…or people with peanut allergies.
Ras Patra
Patra, also known as Patrel in some places is a very famous snack from Gujarat. It consists of colocasia (arbi) leaves which are spread with a spiced gram flour (besan) paste and then layered, rolled into a cylindrical shape and steamed to cook it. It’s then sliced into pieces and fried and doused in a sweet tamarind chutney and served as a delicious street food.
Mesub
Crafted from gram flour and pure desi ghee, this delicacy is renowned for its delightful sweet taste and satisfying crunchy texture. This traditional sweet is celebrated for its mouth-watering flavour, making it a delightful choice for any celebration. It can also be made with ground nuts for a more decadent taste and ground urad dal for a nourishing winter treat.
Bhaji Kone
You know Pav Bhaji, but do you know about the Bhaji Kone? This popular snack or breakfast item is unique to Gujarat and consists of deep-fried gram flour dough cones filled with a variety of mashed vegetables and spices, and sometimes also things like gathiya and sev (gram flour fried snacks) for a wide array of flavours and textures. This may look like an odd sort of ice cream but this savoury treat is a whole new world of snacking pleasures.
Bhajia/Gota
Bhajia or bhajiyas have found a place in kitchens all over the country, but they’re a staple of Jamnagar’s street food offerings that just can’t be missed. Gota are made with a batter of chickpea flour, incorporating chopped fenugreek leaves, ground chillies, and ginger. Form dollops and fry them in hot oil to create "gota." Similarly, potato slices, brinjal slices and any number of vegetables can be coated in this batter and fried to make bhajia.
Paan
Jamnagar has a special fondness for their paan, a sweet after-dinner digestive which can contain all manner of fillings from betel nut, spices, fruits, jellies and sometimes tobacco all wrapped up in a betel leaf. You’re sure to find a new paan shop on every corner but there are some spots in the city with age-old legacies and legendary reputations, so be sure to check them out.
