Top 5 Eats in Udaipur

In part 3 of our Udaipur series, we list 5 dishes that top our list of favorite Rajasthani food! Also, check out our previous pieces on how to get to Udaipur and what to see here!

• Dal Baati Churma: Dal baati is a savory combination of hard, unleavened bread (baati) dipped in ghee served with mixed lentil soup (dal). Churma is a delicacy made of coarsely ground wheat crushed and cooked with ghee and sugar. Originally believed to have been introduced by the founder of the Mewar dynasty, this is the quintessential Rajasthani dish to try in Udaipur.

 

• Gatte ki Sabzi: ‘Gatte’ is gram flour (besan) dumplings which are then added to a spicy curd gravy. Usually paired with rice or flatbreads (naan, roti, or parathas :)), this is a delicious dish that’s also easy on the stomach.

 

• Kadhi: Most Rajasthani dishes are curd-based to keep you cool and hydrated in the hot and arid climate. Kadhi is no exception to this. This dish, again, consists of besan or gram flour mixed with onions to make small, soft dumplings. The dumplings are then cooked in a light broth of curd and spices to make a flavourful curry, typically paired with steamed rice.

 

• Kachori: A popular snack all over India, the Rajasthani variety is the most famous. The dough is often stuffed with pulses, onions, spices, or even dry fruits and deep-fried to make the snack. It is then served with chutney, curd, or even curried potatoes. Kachori is easily available at every street corner; it’s easy on the pockets and keeps you full for a long time.

 

• Laal Maas: Rajasthani cuisine is often associated with vegetarian food, but this is a misconception. The non-vegetarian Rajasthani fare is equally delectable, and we saved the best for the last on this list! Laal maas is a fiery red meat curry. The meat used is mutton and is based in a thick gravy of sautéed onions, tomatoes, and lots and lots of red chili among other spices! Best paired with steaming or flatbreads, this dish is not for the faint-hearted!

Think we missed any? Let us know what your favorite Rajasthani dish is in the comments below! Bon Appetit!

Udaipur: Getting There

If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions…, I should point to India.

– Friedrich Max Müller

Udaipur or the “City of Lakes” is a quaint city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Known for its exquisite palaces and picturesque lakes, Udaipur is steeped in history and grandeur. Udaipur’s fame can be traced back to the 16^th century when it was established as the capital of the Mewar kingdom by Maharana Udai Singh II. Prior to this, Chittorgarh used to be the capital before it was besieged by Akbar. For over two centuries afterward, Udaipur continued to be Mewar’s capital.

There are a plethora of reasons to visit Udaipur – its lakes being just one of them. In fact, for its intricate structure of lakes, Udaipur is often referred to as the “Venice of the East”. Of these, Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar, and Doodh Talai Lake are the most famous.

 

Udaipur is about 665 km from New Delhi. The drive up there could take up to 12 hours. The best way to get to Udaipur is the train. A number of trains commute between the two cities every day, and the fastest train, the Chetak Express, gets you there in about 12 hours. Even though the drive takes roughly the same amount of time, I prefer the train as it’s a very convenient overnight journey. This way, you arrive in Udaipur nice and fresh in the morning, rather than groggy and irritable in the evening after a day-long drive through incessant traffic.

Udaipur also has an airport – the Maharana Pratap Airport. Flights start at about INR 2000 and the travel time is just about 1.5 hours. This is a great option too if you’re pressed for time, though flight fares can go up sharply closer to the date.

Rajasthan typically faces hot and arid climate, and so winter is really the best time to visit any city in Rajasthan. September to March offers pleasant conditions to enjoy Udaipur.

Through the rest of the blogs in this series, we’ll talk about where to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Udaipur. Stay tuned!