Jaisalmer travel guide

Dal baati churma

Rajasthan's warrior food born in the desert—baked wheat dough balls (baati) cracked and submerged in spiced lentil dal, accompanied by crushed sweet churma; traditionally cooked in open fires; the complete thali version is a feast

Ker sangri

Rajasthan's desert survival food—dried sangri beans and ker berries cooked together with spices; these grow wild in Thar Desert conditions where nothing else survives; eaten with bajra roti as a complete traditional Rajasthani desert meal

Gatte ki sabzi

Rajasthan's clever vegetarian curry—chickpea flour dumplings boiled then simmered in a yogurt-based gravy with coriander and dried red chilies; the dumplings absorb flavor while staying firm; made in homes across Rajasthan daily for generations

Bajra roti

Rajasthan's desert staple—flat pearl millet bread rolled thick and cooked on open fire or clay griddle; eaten with ghee, raw onion, green chili and garlic chutney; the primary food of Rajasthan's rural population and eaten by all classes

Chaas (buttermilk)

Rajasthan's essential cooling drink—diluted yogurt churned with cumin, ginger, coriander and salt; served in large clay pots at thali restaurants; the specific Rajasthani version has more cumin and salt than elsewhere; drunk endlessly in the desert heat