If you are a foodie then Jaisalmer is a place to be at. Known as the “Golden City”, this city is not only famous for its architecture, desert and rich culture but also authentic Rajasthani cuisine. The aromatic dishes prepared using traditional recipes are likely to satiate your taste buds. The rich color, flavours and spices are deeply influenced by the region’s arid climate. This city situated in the heart of Thar desert is no less than a paradise. If you want to experience the culinary richness, do visit Chokhi Dhani Desert Camp for the authentic taste. Let’s read further, what makes Jaisalmer a Rajasthani food heaven.
Want to Know Why Jaisalmer Is a Rajasthani Food Heaven?
There are numerous reasons which makes this city a heaven for all the food lovers. Let’s read what these are.
1. A Taste of Authentic Rajasthani Cuisine
The food of Jaisalmer reflects the desert terrain as its dishes are created to suit different needs of the local inhabitants. Rajasthani cuisine often comprise of beans, dry lentils, and grains such as jowar, and bajra. You will see that dairy products such as buttermilk, ghee, and curd are excessively used here as there is a lack of fresh vegetables in some areas.
There are different signature dishes that are prepared here, let’s read what these are. First it the Dal Baati Churma which includes baati, a baked wheat dough ball soaked in ghee served with dal and churma. Second is Ker Sangri which includes sangri and ker cooked with spices and yogurt. The other one is the laal maas which is a fiery meat curry prepared using mutton and served with steamed rice and bajra chapati.
Gatte ki sabzi is the yet another famous dish including besan dumpling cooked in yogurt gravy and served with rice and chapati. Bajra ki roti and lehsun ki chutney is a great combo which forms an integral part of diet here. If you are visiting Jaisalmer then you must try Ghotua laddoo and Jaisalmeri ghevar, the local sweets which will make your mouth sweet and fill your heart with a longing for more.
2. Culinary Influences of the Thar Desert
As Jaisalmer is situated in the heart of Thar Desert, the cuisine has been affected by it in many ways. Here dried and preserved ingredients are used more than fresh vegetables due to scarcity of water. Also, you will see high use of dairy products such as milk, curd, buttermilk, and ghee. All these factors have led to a unique style of cooking in this area leading to dishes rich in flavours, colors and spices.
The use of spices in Rajasthani cuisine is very important as these add flavour to the dishes and also help in their preservation. Dishes like laal maas and Ker sangri require many spices to create the flavour these are known for. Spices are the magic ingredients which are carefully used in all signature dishes to create the authentic taste. The right amount of spice helps in complementing the flavour of the main ingredient being cooked.
The food of a certain place is always influenced by the local climate as it helps in survival. The Jaisalmer cuisine too has been influenced by the climate here. The calories and nutrients in food are rich in desert reason has they need it to live here. The dishes such as sweets and gravies are great energy boosters as they help the local people here in surviving harsh weather conditions.
3. Exploring Rajasthani Street Food in Jaisalmer
Other than the signature meals, this city is famous for its street food which is equally energy boosting and flavourful as the other local dishes. If you are a food and enjoy trying various types of street food then this city is waiting to fill your heart with joy and mouth with a pleasant blast of flavours. Let’s read about the local street delicacies this golden city has to offer to all the foodies coming here.
Pyaaz kachori is a must try if you are visiting here; it is a deep-fried patty filled with spicy onion stuffing served with tamarind chutney. If you love spicy food then this is the best treat you will come across here. After enjoying this yummy kachori, you can go for makhaniya lassi which is refreshing drink. It is a thick creamy yogurt-based drink which is topped with nuts and saffron further adding to its flavours.
The street of Jaisalmer is undoubtedly the most colorful place you will ever see. While the art and craft speak tons about its rich culture, the local street food boasts of the culinary variety this historical city has. Apart from the pyaaz kachori and lassi, the other delicacy that its streets are famous for is the spicy mirchi vada. Green chilli stuffed with potato filling and dipped in besan is fried to perfection creating a crispy and yummy snack that you will love eating.
You can also read:- Interesting Facts About Jaisalmer
4. Chokhi Dhani Desert Camp: Best Place to Try Rajasthani Food
If you are visiting Jaisalmer then do add Chokhi Dhani Desert Camp to you itinerary as this place provides you a holistic desert experience with an authentic Rajasthani food treat. This is the best desert camp in Jaisalmer which gives you a first-hand experience of what it is to live in mud huts and camps with traditional décor. You can enjoy the local food here while treating your eyes with folk dance performances and your ears with live music.
Coming to food, you can enjoy the Rajasthani thali offered here which includes all the signature dishes such as daal baati churma, ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi, lehsun ki chutney, bajre ki roti and a lot more. The food is served in traditional style which makes the overall dining experience even more special and worth remembering. The food is prepared here using the traditional Rajasthani clay oven, wood fire, and sand oven which enhance the flavours.
There are live cooking stations where the guest can watch chef preparing the local delicacies in front of their eyes. Further, you can also enjoy desert camp dining where in a beautiful setup is created for the guests amidst the Thar Desert to make the entire experience magical.
This experience is graced by the starry sky, folk musicians and live dancers performing traditional ghoomer and Kalbeliya dance.
Hope, now you understand why Jaisalmer is known as the Rajasthani food heaven. From street food to local dishes, this place has every flavour you wish to indulge in. Do visit Chokhi Desert Camp for an unbeatable desert camping experience and to enjoy the authentic Rajasthani food under the stars.
