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How many times do we go to a place to eat that has a rare history like Sheeren Bhawan? When the opportunity arrives to visit this legendary place in Old Delhi’s Choori Walan road, one must seize it. You might find that the shop is in a dilapidated condition, however, word has it that Sheeren Bhawan has seen almost a century of the country’s history unfold right before its eyes. Yes, this might all be hard to believe but Sheeren Bhawan has an 80-year-old legacy.
For a shop that may make you feel as though you’re stepping into a different era, its history will keep you at the edge of your seat. By knowing their story, you may think that this place must have been conferred blessings by the divine. It hasn’t been worn down by the competition yet. When you cross over the alleys that are slightly challenging to navigate, but possible with the use of Google maps, you'll find that the shop stands at the same spot even today.
The mithais are evergreen at Sheeren Bhawan, and loved enormously by Old Delhiites. There are some offerings that have a cult following of sorts. A lot of the famous sweets have been selling for the past 80 to 90 years. Although all the sweets use age-old recipes, there is one particular sweet that draws the crowd like no other: the white carrot halwa. Although many halwa varieties are made using vegetables nowadays, at Sheeren Bhawan, the innovative varieties have been around for many years.
The white carrot halwa, sold at Sheeren Bhawan, is a rare offering in India. The more popular one is obviously made with red carrots, also known as ‘desi gajar’. White carrot halwa is served between the months of December and February in Sheeren Bhawan. For those wondering about the difference, it's that the white carrot halwa is less sweet than the red carrot halwa. When it is steamed, the khoya is enriched with more flavour. Besides, earlier, there were as few as 4 farmers who sold white carrots, and they had direct links with Sheeren Bhawan. Now, of course, it is believed that more farmers have started to grow white carrots.
Not only white carrot halwa, but Sheeren Bhawan is also famous for other varieties of halwa. These recipes were given to the shop owners by hakims in the olden days, who often recommended mixing ingredients such as clove, aloe vera, cardamom, saffron, edible gum in ghee and milk to fight the cold in the winters. The popular speciality, aloe vera halwa, is made to date.
Few things are in our control, and so, to protect the sanctity of these recipe secrets, the owners have decided against starting any branches of Shireen Bhawan in posh malls.
Nowadays, customers often ask the owners for the reduction of ghee in the sweets, although the shop is known especially for the use of pure desi ghee which is made in their shop. So it raises some matters of concern for the owner, Alauddin, who believes that the taste may no longer remain the same if the preparation is different.
Have you tried white gajar ka halwa at Shereen Bhawan? If not, visit as soon as you can. Keep asking people to direct you to the shop hidden in the lanes of Old Delhi.
