Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand cuisine is simple, wholesome, and deeply connected to the state’s mountainous terrain and traditional Garhwali and Kumaoni cultures. The food primarily consists of locally grown grains like mandua (finger millet), jhangora (barnyard millet), and rice, along with lentils and seasonal vegetables. The cuisine avoids heavy spices and focuses on enhancing natural flavors with mustard oil, asafoetida, and local herbs.

Popular dishes include Aloo Ke Gutke, a spicy stir-fried potato dish seasoned with mustard seeds and red chilies, and Kafuli, a nutritious curry made from leafy greens like spinach or fenugreek, thickened with rice or wheat flour. Chainsoo and Urad Dal Dubke are hearty lentil-based dishes high in protein, often served with rice or roti. In the Kumaon region, Bhatt Ki Churkani (black soybeans curry) and Bhang Ki Chutney (a tangy chutney made from roasted hemp seeds) are regional favorites. Sweets like Jhangore Ki Kheer (a millet pudding) and Bal Mithai (a fudge-like sweet coated with sugar balls) are unique to the region. Overall, Uttarakhand’s cuisine is nutritious, earthy, and perfectly suited to its climate and lifestyle.