21 Delicious Uttarakhand Famous Food That Will Surprise You

Uttarakhand Famous Food comes in mind when someone mentions Uttarakhand, I sense off to the peaceful hills, beautiful forests and clean air. However, even more nostalgically pleasing is the thought of Uttrakhand food. The wonderful famous food of Uttarakhand is not just a mere taste; indeed, it’s the tale of states rich heritage & Culture.

When I went on a road trip to Uttarakhand travel with my friends for leisure , the fact that people are warm and comforting in nature got proven right from their homely food. Remember, if you are a foodie soul or into humble great tasting foods then the dishes of Uttarakhand will haunt your taste buds for long after. Let’s take a delicious journey through 21 Uttarakhand Dishes that you absolutely must try.

Most Popular Traditional Food of UttaraKhand

1. Kafuli/ Kappa– The Nutritious Delight

Kafuli is a traditional food of Uttarakhand and it is a Thick and Nutritious Curry made of leafy Vegetables like Spinach or Fenugreek. It is slow cooked in a heavy iron pot that enhances the earthy flavors. On a cold evening in the hills, a warm bowl of Kafuli feels like a hug in a bowl. Apart from being delicious, it is also a very healthy and famous dish of Uttarakhand. For me, this is really the national food of Uttarakhand and I think many locals will agree on that. Straightforward, wholesome and filled with the bounty of hills. This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes.

2. Phaanu – A Garhwali Treat

Phaanu is a stew from Garwhal region which is generally made with lentils. However, this stew is unique as lentils are soaked overnight and then cooked with spices. Therefore, making Phaanu gives a food with rich flavour and texture. The first time I tasted Phaanu, I was surprised at how it was too tasty. The unique type of taste makes Phaanu to symbolize Garhwal food- simple but so tasty.

3. Bhang ki Chutney – A Unique Condiment

I am talking about the bhang ki chutney. Well, before you raise your eyebrows, let me clarify. This tangy chutney is made of roasted hemp seeds, mint, and curd. It has a nutty and refreshing taste. It is often served either with rice or bread. This chutney does make a simple addition to the menu, but it adds extra zing to the morsel. I was smitten by the flavors of the chutney and made it for my family members the next day. Since simple dishes dominate the Uttarakhand food, I think that this chutney is a must-try for all those FOODIES.

4. Aloo Ke Gutke (Aloo Gutook) – A Simple Yet Tasty Dish

Aloo Ke Gutke is a dish which is familiar to every household in Uttarakhand. It is a simple dish made of boiled potatoes, spices, and garnished with coriander. It is a quick and yummy dish. I had this for my breakfast almost every day. I should say it is the correct way to start the day. People of Uttarakhand and the tourists will always love this traditional food of Uttarakhand.

5. Chainsoo – A Protein-Packed Dish

Chainsoo is a famous food in Uttarakhand and belongs to Garhwali dishes made from black gram dal. I will not fail to say, it’s very difficult to find something similar to this dish outside of Uttarakhand. It is roasted in a pan then finely ground to a fine powder. This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes. Then the powder is cooked with spices and water into a thick gravy textured dish. This food has more of a smoky flavor and tastes just excellent.

6. Baadi – A Taste of Simplicity

Baadi is a dish that doesn’t really stand out at first sight, but its taste is definitely going to leave you with favorable impression. It is actually a porridge made of flour from mandua , which is finger millet. The flour is mixed with water which should be boiling, stirred until the mass thickens, which doesn’t take long, and then a ball is either served with Phaanu or any other curry, or cut into pieces.

I must say, this dish is really tasty, and the specific hardness gives it an interesting touch. In fact, Baadi is one of the most famous dishes of Uttarakhand, and is a good example of the simplicity, fascinating diversity and heartiness of the regional cuisine. This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes.

7. Jhangora Ki Kheer – A Sweet Treat

Desserts make up every meal, and for Uttarakhand, Jhangora Ki Kheer is their sweet ending. It is made from barnyard millet, milk, and sugar, making this kheer creamy, sweet and slightly nutty. This dish is Uttarakhand sweet dish and people often serve it during festivals and special occasions. I have a sweet tooth, and this was a great snack that satisfied it. To the best of my knowledge, this sweet dish is the state sweet of Uttarakhand.

8. Roat – The Festive Bread

Roat is sweet bread that is prepared during special events and festivals in Uttarakhand. It is made of wheat flour, jaggery, and a good amount of ghee, which gives it a rich and dense texture. I had my first Roat bite in a local festival, and the taste took me back home as there is nothing better than having warm freshly baked bread at home. This traditional food of Uttarakhand is perfect with a cup of tea or even for a quick snack.

9. Arsa – The Traditional Sweet

Adding value to a conversation on the topic, I will tell about sweet made of rice flour, jaggery, and mustard oil that I tasted in Dehradun. Arsa is a traditional sweet from Uttarakhand, which is deep-fried and has crispy outside with soft sweet inside. This dish is one of the most favourite sweet dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes.

This treat is prepared often for weddings and festivals and brings celebration vibes with each bite. Dehradun has multiple food spots where this traditional dessert can be tasted. I enjoy eating that sweet, and it is one of my favorite ones now. If you’re ever in town, don’t forget to explore Dehradun food places for some local delicacies.

10. Thechwani – A Tangy Delight

Thechwani is a tangy dish made of crushed radish/potatoes adding various spices. This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes. The word itself is derived from the local word ‘thech’ which means, crush. Not really chopped fine, but chopped, this gives a very rustic flavour which I liked. It’s a part of Uttarakhand dishes which is usually had with rice or any type of bread.

11. Gahat (Kulath) Soup – A Winter Favorite

Uttarakhand food that I had the opportunity to try is Gahat soup, also known as Kulath. It is a type of horse gram, rich in protein. First and foremost, this soup is known as a winter dish as it can warm you up pretty quickly. According to the locals, it is also a folk medicine drunk over the year by people with kidney stones.

This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes, who loves lentils. I had a chance to have this soup in the evening when the temperature dropped, and after spending the entire day outside discovering new places, nothing could have been better than this. This Uttarakhand food is not just delicious but also healthy.

12. Rus – A Traditional Lentil Soup

Rus is a very simple yet flavourful dish which has to be made from a variety of pulses. It is made by soaking the pulses overnight and then grinding them to consistency. The pulses liquid is then slow-cooked along with spices. This is a dish made very often in Uttarakhand, particularly in the winter season. It is usually had with rice or Baadi. This dish is a staple in the cuisine of Uttarakhand. This dish is one of the most favourite lentil dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes.

13. Singori – The Leaf-Wrapped Sweet

Singori is made of khoya, or milk that has been thickened and then sweetened with sugar and can virtually be called the best thing to have come out from the state of Uttarakhand. The whole sweet-savoury item is then sealed inside a leaf called maalu, giving the food an added aroma and taste that makes you simply want to go on eating more. I tried my first bite of Singori a famous sweet of Uttarakhand in a little village on the outskirts of Nainital and fell hopelessly in love with this famous food in Nainital. This dish is one of the most favourite sweet dish from other Uttarakhand famous sweet.

14. Thhatwani /Rus – A Nutrient-Rich Dish

Thhatwani is essentially a mixed pulse and vegetable dish, which together are cooked to form a wholesome meal. It is a staple in many homes of Uttarakhand since it isn’t just serving filling and delicious but healthy too. Thhatwani is, in fact an exemplary resemblance to the food prepared for ages in Uttarakhand — Plain and healthy. It is a perfect representation of the traditional food of Uttarakhand. This dish is one of the most favourite soup dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes.

15. Bal Mithai – The Chocolate-Like Sweet

Bal Mithai – A famous sweets of Uttarakhand and can’t-Miss Sweet in Uttarakhand Frequently distinguished as the ‘chocolate of Uttarakhand’, Bal Mithai is produced using roasted khoya coated with sugar balls. It is sweet, chewy and highly addictive. I love this sweet too much. This dish is one of the most favourite sweet dish for many people from other Uttarakhand Dishes. I had gotten a box of Bal Mithai as gift and was gone in no time! This Uttarakhand special food is favorite dish among locals and tourists.

16. Dubuk – A Winter Warmer

Dubuk is mashed-up lentils cooked in thick gravy with spices. A winter specialty of the hills in Uttarakhand, it is popular for its heat-retaining properties. This dish has a creamy texture and people like to eat it with rice or bread. On a cold night in a small village, I needed to get warm, and the savior was Dubuk. It is comfort food at its finest form in the cuisine of Uttarakhand. Again, this dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes, who loves lentils.

17. Bhatt Ki Churkani – A Kumaoni Favorite

Churkani (black soybeans curry) — A famous Kumaoni delicacy of Uttarakhand made from bhatt. The legumes are soaked overnight and spiced to make a filling dish. Churkkani is generally eaten with rice and Baadi — it’s incredibly filling and nutritious. I loved the smokey taste in this dish obtained from long cooking time. Special Mention this Kumaoni dish is a must-try when in Uttarakhand.

18. Gulgula – The Sweet Snack

Gulgula is a sweet, deep-fried snack prepared from wheat flour, jaggery and fennel seeds. A favourite street food in Uttarakhand is often made to accompany tea. Gulgula made a perfect snack to have while shopping in local markets. Grain free, sweet + crunchy and DELICIOUS. This dish is one of the most favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes for sweet lovers.

19. Aaloo Dal Pakora – The Crunchy Snack

Aaloo Dal Pakora – An appetizing and crunchy snack with its deep-fried potatoes surrounded by lentil mass. It’s often served with a tangy tamarind chutney; it has become one of the most popular street food in Uttarakhand. This dish is one of the favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes for snack lovers. I got these amazing pakoras from a very tiny stall here and it was an ultimate snack with your hot tea. If you enjoy crispy, salty snacks then this famous food of Uttarakhand is a must!

20. Kappa – The Healthy Curry

Kappa-This is a mild spicy curry made with spinach and radish. A very light, healthy and stomach-friendly dish. I relished Kappa with steam rice, I thought it was so heavy and filling that — as far as a single one-meal dish goes. It’s a perfect dish from Uttarakhand Dishes for the ones in search of a dish which is both healthy and tasty.

21. Mandua Ki Roti – The Healthy Flatbread

Mandua Ki Roti is a form of flatbread created from finger millet flour. This is a must in every kitchen of the Uttarakhand State also known for health benefits it holds. I ate Mandua Ki Roti with freshly churned homemade butter and Jaggery, it was simply super delicious! A perfect nutritious yet tasty Uttarakhand food item. This dish is favourite dish from other Uttarakhand Dishes who prefers simple but energetic and digestive food.

History of Uttarakhand’s Cuisine

Uttarakhand was born with the creation of the Indian state in 2000 as a separate entity from Uttar Pradesh(up) and it is rich in history, where its cuisine draws inspiration. The hills’ way of life in the use of local ingredients, traditional cooking and simplicity. Uttarakhand really, being a place where people cooked and ate whatever was grown around has defined the diet of its citizens. Whether using mandua (finger millet) in bread, or legumes as fillers for soups and stews, the Uttarakhand dishes are the testimony to its people’s resourcefulness.

Significance of Uttarakhand’s Food

The cuisines of Uttarakhand go beyond merely being cooked food that will please the taste buds, they are a representation of its culture and traditions. This is uniquely good food ~ fresh, wholesome and genuinely rooted in the land. Local ingredients being used, the focus on nutrition and traditional cooking methods are all a reflection of food in Uttarakhand’s cultural identity. From a festive dish like Bal Mithai to something that is made on an everyday basis such as Mandua Ki Roti, all dishes teamed up together make the grandeur of Uttarakhand.

Conclusion

That was a food and travel trail across the entire Uttarakhand. The famous Uttarakhand Dishes is beyond serving the dish to your table; it’s an aid for communicating with its vicinity and villagers. From simple Baadi to sweet Bal Mithai, every dish has a story that highlights the cultural richness of these regions. Be it your first visit or you are back to explore more, do taste the essence of typical Uttarakhand cuisine. Trust me, it will be a journey worth eating—only one bite at a time.

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