Food that you just cannot miss when you are in Kashmir!

The beautiful state of Kashmir is not only famous for its beauty and serenity but the state also offers authentic dishes too! Here's our food list that you cannot miss when you are in the heaven valley

Don’t eat at fancy restaurants- Try Jan Bakery instead!

Delight for sweet & bakery products enthusiasts, the famous Jan Bakery is strategically located near the Dal Gate. As you enter, you will be greeted by the sweet fragrance adorning the bakery. From crunchy patties, scrumptious apple pies, freshly done pastries to the traditional Bakarkhani roti & Indian sweets, this place has everything you will ever wish for.

Once you taste the variants here, believe us you will only be longing to come back again.

We tried the Mutton Patty, Chicken Patty, Walnut Cake & some local biscuits and we were not disappointed. They make the most stunning walnut cakes which are totally worth a double-shot! ;)

Harissa- A winter tradition that Kashmir loves!

Hands down Harissa is the most preferred winter delicacy preferred by one and all for breakfast in Kashmir. Harissa is a slow- cooked meat preparation with rice & spices. 

One can easily find Harissa sold across the local houses in Srinagar. Harissa is served hot with flat bread or naan, with tempered onion rings and optionally kebabs. Though it is available from 6am to 11am, it is sold out by closing time most of the times. Grab one before its too late!

Wazwan

Wazwan is a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine, the preparation of which is considered as an art and a point of pride in Kashmiri culture and identity.

Kashmiri Wazwan is a unique and inseparable component of Kashmiri culture. It comprises of 7 to 36 dishes of mutton or beef, chicken, fruits & vegetables. The important ethnic meat products of wazwan include kebabs, Tabak Maaz, Aab Gosh, Rogan Josh, Nate- Yakhni, Rista & Goshtaba!

The best part is the dishes in Wazwan can be ordered individually & being a local speciality, it is readily available with small caterers as well as restaurants across the valley! Being so elaborate, we never had the entire Wazwan all at once so we decided to have few varieties of it in each of our meals.

Vaishno Dhaba- Srinagar

For all the vegetarian lovers, the most sumptuous meals are offered at Vaishno Dhaba. This place is quite famous for its vpure veg affair & is always full with the locals as well as tourists. From buttery Dal Makhni to the cheese laden paranthas, the soulful food offered by them JUST CANNOT BE MISSED!!

We tried a lot of non-vegetarian food during our initial days but later settled for vegetarian food from Vaishno Dhaba eventually. The quality is extremely imoressive and the dishes are available at affordable price with various breakfast, lunch & dinner options.

We tried their paranthas, dosas, rajma, dal makhni, pulao, lassi & chai and were not disappointed.

Pro-tip: Dal Makhni & Paranthas are to die for!

Kahwa & Namkeen Chai

Kahwa tea is an amazing combination of delicious taste, aroma and a bundle of health benefits. It has been known to be a part of Kashmir’s cuisine since ages. Due to the presence of saffron, it serves as a warming drink and helps to withstand the cold winters. Kahwa is an exotic mix of Kashmiri green tea leaves, whole spices, nuts and saffron.

While Kahwa is extremely popular & known to all of us, a must try chai to get the taste of the locals is to try the Namkeen or Gulabi Chai! Just like we drink our regular teas, it is the namkeen chai that is preferred by the Kashmiris, this tea is not sweet and has a very distinct taste unlike other teas. Though this tea may not be liked when you try it first, you may fall for it with time as the taste gets acquired.

Yakhni Pulao

Kashmiri Style Yakhni Pulao With Chicken Recipe is a lip-smacking, Kashmiri style mutton or chicken pulao made with long grain basmati rice that is cooked in a flavourful stock-called Yakhni that is infused with spices. What makes it a unique preparation is its subtle falvours topped with dry fruits & saffron, making it a melting in the mouth dish!