Punjabi Treats

Rangla Punjab, Jalandhar- Phugwara Highway

A bullock cart at the entrance, a haystack in one corner and a pile of dried cowdung cakes in another - this restaurant spread over 2 acres obviously believes in authencity. Here you will find authentic Kullu Tailor, a stout bull running the kolhu, a munimji keeping track of all that goes out of the kitchen, and of course a count of the money. You will definetely enjoy the food here, but here its more about the experience, something you will cherish.

Kesar Da Dhaba,Amritsar
Just ask anyone and they will guide you to the dusty bylanes where this icon stands rather smugly. No itineary is complete without the phirni cooked in this 100 yr old kitchen. Sold for Rs 6 per earthen bowl, about 700 people walk away with this wonder daily. Made of rice flour, suagr and milk, phirni is cooked on a slow fire for hours before it is chilled in earthen bowls and served fresh. You can also try the Punjabi Thali that consists of parantha,dal and vegetables - all delectable.

Bhog and The Langar at The Golden Temple
The Bhog (better known as Karha Prasad) at the Golden Temple is special not just because it is sanctified for but also because it tastes heavenly. The same goes for the Gurudwara's Langar, a community meal, where hundreds of people eat wholesome vegeterian food cooked by thousands of volunteers everyday. A must try is the kheer served on Sundays.

Haveli Dhaba,Jalandhar
People drive miles to eat at Haveli, a dhaba at the Heritage Village on the outskirts of Jalandhar. With close to three star amenities and heavenly food that's mostly cooked in desi ghee, this one is another great joint for delicious local food.

Tel 098 142 50000

Kanha Sweets,Amritsar
If you wish to enjoy a traditional Punjabi breakfst in Amritsar, just walk into Kanha Sweets on Lawrence Road and stuff yourself silly with their aloo puri. Round off with a glass of lassi at Gyan ji Ki Lassi nearby.

Til Ka Bugga and Gur Ka Halwa
These two are without doubt, Punjab's best winter desserts, easily availabe in most cities. Til ka Bugga is a dry sweet made from sesame seeds, while gur ka halwa is simply jaggery simmered till it reaches the consistency of halwa.

Butter Chicken
Punjabis have made both butter chicken and chicken tikka popular all over the world. You can't be in Punjab and not have these chicken delicacies. Small time dhabas often do a better job of butter chicken than fancy restaurants. For the best ,try the dhabas lining GT Road.

Jaggi Sweets,Patiala
If you possess a sweet tooth, head straight here for nearly 90 different varieties of sweets. Over 50 years old, it has recently introduced sugar free mithais for the health conscious.

www.jaggisweets.com