7 Incredible Veg Thali Delights in Himachal Pradesh

Whenever you visualize about Himachal Pradesh, the picture that comes to your mind are breath-taking landscapes, beautiful green valleys, and snow covered mountains. But, this hilly state has lot in the bucket list. Many delightful experiences waiting for you there – one of them is vibrant and flavorful Veg Thali.

Yes, you read correctly. This traditional Indian Thali contains a Himachali twist with both hearty and satisfying flavor.

So, let’s explore the unique and delicious world of veg thali of Himachal Pradesh, where every dish has a different story to tell about this region’s rich culinary heritage.

Himachal Pradesh’s Veg Thali Delights:-

1. Dham – The festival Feast :-

It is not just a dish; it’s an experience. Dham is traditionally served on special occasions and festivals. No one can deny if we say that this Himachali Thali is a dream come true meal for Vegetarians.

The most unique thing about Dham is the way it is served. It shows the Himachal region’s connection with the nature when served on leaf plates or plates. A special chef cooked this food known as ‘Botis’ and it is cooked in the huge copper pots, which makes the taste of the food so delicious and authentic. So, if you ever got to witness any Himachali wedding or festival, then don’t miss this meal because it’s not just a food; it’s a celebration on the plate.

2. Siddu – The Comfort of Winter:-

No other state can beat the winters of Himachal, and nothing can make you feel warmer than the plate of Siddu. It is made with wheat flour and having filling of poppy seeds, nuts or mashed potatoes that makes this traditional flat bread a must try. Its preparation process is a labor of love as the dough of the Siddu left to rise naturally that gives the bread a unique and bit sour taste. Once the stuffing is done, steam it until it gets fluffy and soft. Now, when it’s done, add a generous splash of ghee along with dal or mutton curry.

When it comes to the best comfort food then Siddu is the best form of bread. It is perfect for the winters because of its sweet and savoury texture. If you paired Siddu with the other side dishes, then it will surely be the star of the simple veg. thali that will give you filling and satisfied feeling. No matter if you like it sweet or light, you will experience the best flavours of Himachal at once with Siddu.

3. Chana Madra – The Yogurt Delight:-

Himachal Veg. Thali is incomplete without Chana Madra as it is an integral part of their meal. Chickpeas cooked in yogurt along with the rich mixture of spices i.e; Cumin, Coriander and Turmeric are used to make this dish and it is served with steamed rice. When cooked slowly, the chickpeas soak the tangy flavours of yogurt and spices, and makes the dish creamy, comforting and nutritious.

Madra’s origin is Chamba, Himachal Pradesh where this dish is considered a traditional delicacy of their Himachali culture. The thing that make this dish apart from every other dishes is the use of Yogurt in it that is considered as the main base of the dish. Chana Madra is the best and full of protein powerhouse for the vegetarians that gives satisfied flavour to their taste buds and make them crave for more. So, if you are in Himachal and exploring most local and authentic dish then Veg. Thali is a must have.

4. Babru – The delightful Himachali Kachori:-

If you are in Himachal and craving for the Kachori, then Babru is the answer and best solution to satisfy your craving. It is one of the most popular snack of North India and also called Himachali Kachori.. But, it is not like the usual Kachori that consists peas or spiced lentils only. Instead, Babru (Himachali kachori) is filled with the black gram paste (urad dal) and deeply fried to get the perfect golden texture. Once it’s done, serve it with tamarind chutney or you can serve it yogurt too, resulting you will get crunchy and savory treat.

Babru adds a delicious crunch that beautifully suits the lighter dishes like rice or dal, in the traditional Himachali Veg Thali. It is the most popular dish of Shimla, and the people there enjoyed it as a breakfast or an evening snack with tea. S9o, whether you enjoy Babru individually or as a part of Thali, it’s amazing flavour and crispy texture makes it stand out from the rest.

5. Mittha – The Sweet Ending:-

No veg thali is complete without Mittha, similarly Himachali veg thali is incomplete without a traditional sweet dish called ‘Mittha.’ It includes sweetened rice, raisins and cashews (dry fruit), and a pinch of saffron. To mix all the flavours meld together, let the dish slow cooked, and once it gets done then you will get a dessert that is sweet, aromatic, and gives complete satisfaction to your sweet tooth.

This dish is served at the end of the meal, to give a sweet counterpoint to the dishes that served before in veg thali. In Himachal, Mittha is not just a Dessert, instead it is symbol of celebration to them that often made at the time of special occasions and festivals. So, if you are a sweet dish lover, then Mittha is a must try for you. Also, it is the perfect way to end your culinary ride with Himachali Veg thali.

6. Patrode – Leafy Wonder:-

The dish that symbolise the true spirit of Himchal’s local and seasonal ingredient is Patrode. It is made from Colocasia or Taro leaves (often called arbi ke patte). The leaves are dipped and covered with the paste of spicy gram flour, then rolled up gently, and after that stir fried to get the perfection. Patrode is not just a unique dish in flavour but also very rich in nutrients value.

The gram flour mixture is applied on the Patrode to balance its slight bitter taste. In the veg thali, it is served along with Rice and Dal to add the healthy and delicious element to the meal. So, if you are the one who loves trying new things, then Patrode is a must try dish in the Himachali veg thali for you.

7. Kaale Chane – Protein Powerhouse:-

Kaale Chane called Black Chickpeas, when prepared in thick gravy is another wonderful creation in the Himachali Cuisine. This dish is the combination of healthy, tasty and good source of protein. Chickpeas usually cooked on slow flame in the blend of spices that makes the dish full of flavor, hearty, and gives proper satisfaction to your taste buds. Kaale Chane is served along with steamed rice or roti (as per person’s choice).

Kaale Chane is very popular dish and particularly made during the time of festivals and religious ceremonies, and served as a ‘Prasad.’ The rich flavor and simplicity of this dish make it favourite of locals as well as of visitors. So, if you are the one who loves a complete and delicious addition into your veg thali, then Kaale Chane is the best for you.

Do you want to learn making Himachali Veg Thali Dishes?

The veg thali of Himachal Pradesh is not just a meal; it is a journey of the state’s tradition, culture and culinary heritage. Every single dish tells its unique story, and reflects unique and unforgettable taste of Himachal.

You can also learn to make these dishes and experience the culinary heritage of Himachal at your own place. Yes, it’s true. There are so many cooking institutions from where you can learn making these traditional dishes. One of those institutes is ‘NFCI- National Finishing & Culinary Institute’, where you can learn every cuisine not just personally but professionally too.

No matter if you are a vegetarian or a Foodie, these vegetarian thali dishes are an unmissable experience. So, the next time you visit Himachal Pradesh, make sure to experience the deliciousness of Vegetarian thali, which will leave you with a stomach full of taste and a heart full of memories.