Ahmedabad travel guide

Gujarati thali

India's most generous vegetarian feast—unlimited refills of 15-20 preparations: dal, kadhi, vegetables, rice, rotis, papad, pickles, mithai and chaas; the sweet-salty balance unique to Gujarati cooking; Ahmedabad's Vishalla restaurant recreates a village feast experience

Khaman dhokla

Ahmedabad's most beloved snack—fermented chickpea batter steamed into spongy yellow cakes, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chili, garnished with coriander and fresh coconut; the texture should be springy but pull apart cleanly; eaten at every tea time

Fafda jalebi

Gujarats Sunday breakfast ritual—crispy turmeric-spiced chickpea flour strips (fafda) paired with hot spiral jalebis dipped in syrup; found at every Kathiyawadi sweet shop from 7am; the contrast of savory-crispy fafda and sweet-dripping jalebi is deliberately Gujarati

Undhiyu

Gujarats winter feast dish—mixed root vegetables and green vegetables cooked upside down underground in clay pots over wood fire (the name means upside down); reserved for Uttarayan (kite festival); each family's recipe is considered the regional standard

Handvo

Gujarat's savory baked cake—fermented rice and lentil batter with vegetables (bottle gourd, carrots, peas) baked in greased pans with sesame and ajwain; completely unique to Gujarat; the texture is crispy outside and soft within; eaten with green garlic chutney