15 Gujarati Dishes That Will Always Have A Sweet Spot In Your Heart!

Gujarati cuisine is tempting because of its bold flavours, vibrant colours, and subtle sweetness. You've arrived in a region of India where eating is more than just a hobby; it's a way of life. That Gujarati cuisine is so well-liked all across the world is a tribute to the fact that it must be doing something right. A touch of sugar in their food and drink is appropriate for a people that take pride in being open, eccentric, and full of life.

Top 15 Gujarati Dishes

Here are some of the most delectable Gujarati dishes that would make any food lover drool over. Take a look at them and see what all dishes are still left to try!

• Khandvi: Soft Layers
• Dhokla: Spongy Squares
• Handvo: Sweet & Savoury Cake
• Gathiya: Besan Snack
• Thepla: Like Thin Parathas
• Undhiyu: Mix Vegetable
• Fafda Jalebi: A Blend Of Sweet & Salty
• Gujarati Khichdi: Simple Yet Amazing
• Dabeli: Most-Eaten Snack
• Khaman: Fluffier Than Dhokla
• Farsan: Salty Dry Snack
• Locho: A Savoury Side Dish
• Dal Dhokli: Wheat Flour Noodles
• Rotlo: Traditional Gujarati Food
• Khakhra: Crispy Flatbread

1. Khandvi: Soft Layers

Pleasantly gooey, fluffy, and soft. Among the many delicious Gujarati breakfast options, Khandvi is a fan favourite. The batter for Khandvi comprises of gramme flour, salt, and sugar, and it has an appealing sweet and salty flavour. As it is worn by both Gujaratis and Maharashtrians, it also has another Marathi name: Suralichya vadya.

2. Dhokla: Spongy Squares

Dhokla, one of the most popular Gujarati cuisines, is widely known and eaten around the world. Dhokla is a staple of Gujarati cuisine, and its fans can enjoy it at any time of day.

Dhokla is a spongy meal that's composed of fermented rice and chickpeas. It goes great with Green Chutney (made of coriander or mint) or Meethi Chutney (made of Dates and Tamarind). Dhokla is a popular Gujarati meal that is fried with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves to give it a robust flavour and aroma.

3. Handvo: Sweet & Savoury Cake

The Gujarati dessert known as "Handvo" combines sweet and savoury flavours to add nuance and originality to the regional cuisine. Bottle gourd, crushed peanuts, and other vegetables are mixed together to make the filling for the vegetable cake.

The cake has a slightly similar texture to Dhokla, but its flavour sets it apart. Gujaratis utilise a special sort of pressure cooker and season the dish with oil, cumin seeds, mustard, and curry leaves to create Handvo.

4. Gathiya: Besan Snack

Gathiya is a deep-fried snack made from chickpea flour, and the recipe for it may be found in any Gujarati dry snacks recipe book. After being prepared, the snack is soft rather than crisp, and its powdered texture remains intact. This snack also comes in a sweetened variety known as Mitha Gathiya because sugar is an essential ingredient in Gujarati cooking. Many people enjoy this dish in the morning or evening while sipping tea.

5. Thepla: Like Thin Parathas

Thepla, a flatbread made with a variety of ingredients including fenugreek leaves, wheat flour, and cumin seeds, is a staple in the Gujarati diet. The dish's bold flavour is enhanced by the precise balance of ingredients used to make the Thepla dough. Theplas, when topped with curds and chunda, are a popular hot or cold snack that can be eaten on the go.

6. Undhiyu: Mix Vegetable

The Surat region of Gujarat is known for its delicious and distinctive cuisine. Undhiyu is a dish made of a variety of vegetables that is cooked in clay pots while inverted. A traditional Gujarati dish served only in January, in anticipation of Uttarayan, the Kite Festival.

Undhu, which means "upside down" in Gujarati, is whence the dish gets its name. Slow-cooked in buttermilk, coconut and spices, Undhiyu's ingredients include eggplant, fried chickpea flour dumplings, bananas and beans, potatoes and green peas.

7. Fafda Jalebi: A Blend Of Sweet & Salty

Quick and easy to eat foods abound in Gujarati cooking. The ubiquitous sweet and salty Fafda Jalebi is a tried and true Gujarati staple that can be found on any street corner in the state. Using gramme flour, turmeric, and carom seeds, cooks can create a crunchy snack known as fafda. Jalebi, a deep-fried maida flour preparation typically made into pretzel or circular forms, is a popular Gujarati snack eaten at any time of the day.

8. Gujarati Khichdi: Simple Yet Amazing

Khichdi was officially designated as India's national dish not too long ago. Khichdi is a staple food throughout India, but the state of Gujarat has developed its own variation to better suit local palates. Gujarati Khichdi often consists of rice, grains, veggies, and ghee, all of which contribute to its nutrient-dense and flavorful profile. Khichdi is a staple dish at Gujarati dinner tables, and it is often paired with buttermilk.

9. Dabeli: Most-Eaten Snack

Dabeli, also known as Kutchi Dabeli, is a popular snack item from the Kutch district of Gujarat. It has a similar texture and composition to the more well-known Bombay Vada Pav. An estimated 20 million Dabelis are consumed daily in Kutch, making it the region's most popular culinary item. The bread bun houses a delicious filling made of mashed potatoes, a particular Dabeli masala, spices, peanuts, chutney, and sev.

10. Khaman: Fluffier Than Dhokla

Khaman is a spongy food made from ground chana dal or chana flour, and it is quite similar to the dish Dhokla. The fundamental distinction between Khaman and Dhokla is that the former has a larger soda content, making it lighter and fluffier. Khaman is a popular dish in Gujarat because it has the right balance of sweet and salty flavours typical of Gujarati cuisine.

11. Farsan: Salty Dry Snack

'Salty snacks' translates to the Gujarati word farsan. Many different kinds of Farsan are cooked and loved all over western India because it is a staple in the cuisines of Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Common components of Gujarati Farsan include fried and dry snacks that can be kept for a long period and eaten afterwards.

12. Locho: A Savoury Side Dish

Locho, a wheat flour Farsan typical of Gujarat, has its roots in the city of Surat. Locho is a savoury side dish whose name comes from its soft, crumbly texture. It is seasoned with oil, butter, coriander, sev, spices, and onion, creating a fragrant covering of flavour.

13. Dal Dhokli: Wheat Flour Noodles

Dal Dhokli is a popular vegetarian dish from Gujarat created by boiling wheat flour noodles in pigeon pea stew. It is thought that this dish was first introduced to the Gujarat area by the Marwari settlers, who initially travelled there to forge commercial connections. You can consume this dish whenever it suits you most.

14. Rotlo: Traditional Gujarati Food

Rotlo, a flatbread consisting of bajra, jowar, or nachni flour, is a popular dish in Gujarat and is quickly gaining popularity in other regions of India. Buttermilk, raw white onion, and green chilies are the typical accompaniments to Rotlo. Most Gujaratis only eat this dish during the colder months.

15. Khakhra: Crispy Flatbread

As more people try Gujarati food, they learn how vital flatbreads are and how many different kinds there are. Another popular Jain food is Khakhra, a thin flat-bread prepared from mat bean, wheat flour, and oil.

Khakhra is a very healthy snack that is commonly included in Gujarati morning recipes. It goes especially well with spicy pickles or Meethi Chutney.