Food In Bikaner

Food History of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

The city of Bikaner in Rajasthan has a rich culinary history that dates back to the era of the Maharanas and Maharajas. Located in the Thar Desert, the traditional cuisine of Bikaner comprises mostly vegetarian dishes, due to the scarcity of water and fresh green vegetables. Ingredients like lentils, gram flour (besan), and various spices are staples in Bikaner dishes. The cuisine has been influenced by the Marwari community, known for their unique and flavorful vegetarian cooking.

Bikaner is also famous for its sweets. The town's royal chefs created signature sweets and snacks that have endured through the years. Two very well-known contributions of Bikaner to India's culinary culture are *Bhujia* and *Rasgulla*. Bikaner Bhujia, a crispy snack made from moth beans and spices, is notorious across the country and even internationally.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

1. Bikaneri Bhujia (Veg) - A spicy snack made from moth beans and a melange of spices.
2. Raj Kachori (Veg) - A larger version of the Indian kachori, filled with various flavors and chutneys.
3. Gatte ki Sabzi (Veg) - A dish made with gram flour balls cooked in a tangy yogurt-based curry.
4. Ker Sangri (Veg) - A traditional Rajasthani curry made using dried berries (Ker) and beans (Sangri).
5. Dal Baati Churma (Veg) - Hard wheat bread (baatis) served with piquant lentil soup (dal) and sweet crumbled wheat dish (churma).
6. Kesar Fini (Veg) - Sweet, hair-thin noodles made with flour and a generous amount of saffron.
7. Namkeen Lassi (Veg) - A savory variant of the popular yogurt-based drink, often flavored with spices.
8. Malai Ghewar (Veg) - A disc-shaped sweet cake made with flour and soaked in sugar syrup, topped with cream.
9. Aloo Bharta (Veg) - Mashed potatoes mixed with spices and sometimes, peas or other vegetables.
10. Rasgulla (Veg) - Soft, spongy balls of Indian cottage cheese soaked in light sugar syrup.

Top Famous Restaurants in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

1. Chhotu Motu Joshi Sweet Shop
   Address: Station Rd, Kote Gate, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
   Famous for: Rasgulla (Veg)
2. Gallops Restaurant and Coffee House
   Address: Junagarh Fort, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
   Famous for: Dal Baati Churma (Veg)
3. Bhikharam Chandmal Bhujiawala
   Address: Rani Bazar, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
   Famous for: Bikaneri Bhujia (Veg)
4. Gangaur Restaurant
   Address: Inside Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
   Famous for: Raj Kachori (Veg)
5. Heeralal's Restaurant
   Address: Public Park, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
   Famous for: Gatte ki Sabzi (Veg)
6. Sankhla Kulfi
   Address: Panchsati Circle, Sadul Ganj, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334003
   Famous for: Kesar Fini with its cooling effect (Veg)

When visiting Bikaner, tourists will find an array of savory vegetarian options as the predominant food type due to cultural and geographical reasons.