Initially, dhabas were started by persons migrating from Pakistan Punjab. Their ethical standards were very high – fresh pure unadulterated food at minimum rates. Now, the restaurant business is the largest service sector in India and you
Initially, dhabas were started by persons migrating from Pakistan Punjab. Their ethical standards were very high – fresh pure unadulterated food at minimum rates.
Now, the restaurant business is the largest service sector in India and you will undoubtedly find lots of restaurants offering a wide variety of traditional lips-smacking dishes. From deep-fried snacks to tandoor-cooked meats and delicious pastries, every restaurant in India offers authentic Indian food. But, in contrast with five-star restaurants, dhabas have their own charm and lure.
The main reason why dhabas are popular in India is that the food they serve is believed to be tastier than that found in restaurants. Making use of fresh ingredients and using minimum spices, dhabas’ food can beat any high-class restaurant. The quantity and quality of food are sometimes believed to be better than that served in five-star restaurants. At a roadside eatery, for example, you can have a complete mouth-watering meal (with 4-5 dishes) for ₹ 100 while one dish in a restaurant would cost you ₹ 100. In other words, a dhaba is an absolute paradise for food lovers.
Dhabas are also favored by many because they don’t have free Wi-Fi, which means you have to sit on khaats (cots) with your legs folded, spend quality time with your family and enjoy your meal, without having your nose on the screen.
So, if you are up for some tasty dhaba food, here is a list of foods you should try.
Bhuna Gosht
Bhuna Gosht is a type of meat curry that’s very popular in Pakistan and North India. It is a very flavorful and rich dinner and in this dish, the curry (or gravy if you’d like) is so thick that it coats all the pieces of mutton. Usually, the vegetables, spices and yogurt are sautéed in hot oil and then the mutton is added and slow-cooked along with the remaining ingredients. Trust me, the delicious aroma is enough to make you salivate.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a super popular dish that is widely prepared and consumed across India (Delhi and Punjab in particular). I’m not sure if I have the right words for it, but just looking at it will make your mouth water and after eating it, the creamy taste won’t leave your taste buds.
The flavors in butter chicken are peppy and light. You can almost distinctly taste the sweet tomato gravy, creamy butter, hot spices and finger-licking chicken. For this dish, all the ingredients are thoroughly cooked together to create one unified flavor and taste –it is built layer by layer.
Passionate home cooks have often tried it at home and butter chicken is often included in restaurant menus. However, the dhaba version is the best.
Kaali Dal
Also known as maa kid al or black gram dal, kaali dal is a very tasty Punjabi lentil dish. In winter, for example, it is often served with curd rice and together they make a deadly combination.
Especially in North India, the consumption of black dal is very common and popular as it is extremely nutritive and highly beneficial to the digestive system. It also consists of high fiber content which can resolve constipation issues and support smooth bowel movements. The benefits of black dal are numerous and if you want to learn more about them, click here.
Tandoori Roti
Another dhaba food that can sweep you off your feet is the buttery tandoori roti. T his traditional and tasty flatbread is made of wholewheat flour, cooked in tandoor at high temperature and often paired with dhaba dal or dhaba chicken.
Want to make it at home? Check out this recipe!