From Bun Tikki, Aloo Ke Gutke To Bal Mithai - 10 Must Eats When In Nainital

No visit to a place is complete without exploring its rich, traditional cuisine. With a burst of flavours and the lingering taste of authentic herbs and spices mixed in to give you a taste of the traditional delicacies, you have to dig into these delectable preparations when in Nainital.

1. Baadi

A Kumaoni delicacy which might seem a little similar to Ras, this is also prepared from a mixture of toor, moong, and channa dal used in the right proportion. It tastes even better when coupled with Bhang Seed or Sesame Seed Chutney. 

2. Bhatt Ki Churkani

Picture Credits: Chandan Singh Negi

One of Kumaon region’s most iconic preparations, it's a delicacy prepared on special occasions. Rice paste and black bhatt or soyabean are its main ingredients. It has a takda of local herbs, ghee, and chopped onion. It's eaten with rice and lots of ghee for a better taste.

3. Aloo Ke Gutke

Picture Credits: Hina Gujral

This one is a spicy dish prepared with boiled potatoes, coriander leaves, and whole red chillies. It forms a part of the snacks menu and can also be served as a side dish during a feast. You can often find numerous street vendors selling these crispy snacks in Nainital.

4. Ras

A delicious preparation made from different varieties of dals, it has a high nutritive value. Ras is prepared in an iron pan and simmered to cook on a low heat in order to retain its nutritional content. Try it with steamed rice and Bhang ki Chutney and you're good to go!

5. Gulgula

A very popular and easy to make sweet dish prepared from wheat flour and jaggery, this turns out to look much like tiny malpuas. Often made with ripe bananas for a change in flavour, these are super soft and come with the right balance of sweetness!

6. Bal Mithai

One of the most popular sweet dishes of the region, this dark brown sweet is made with roasted khoya and has a sugar ball coating. A well made Bal Mithai melts in your mouth and tastes like chocolate fudge. You gotta try it from Mamu's Naini Sweets, located in Bara Bazaar in Mallital.

7. Momos And Thupka

Hidden amongst the narrow lanes of Tibetan Market, Sonam Fast Food is known for its momos and thukpas. The lack of floor space in this eatery does not deter the tourists from flocking here. Located near the Naina Devi Temple, it's perfect for a quick meal after a shopping spree.

8. Bun Tikki

A desi version of hamburgers, Bun Tikki is a fusion snack made using aloo tikki and burger buns. It's one of the widely eaten snacks of the region, and loved by tourists and locals alike. We'd recommend you visit Lakshmi Restaurant in Mallital to savour the rich taste of authentically prepared bun tikkis.

9. Black and White Roti

A type of stuffed roti popular in North India, this is prepared with wheat flour and mandua flour. Both the flours are combined in a given ratio to prepare the dough which is then rolled into parathas and savoured with a generous dollop of desi ghee or butter.

10. Arsa

It's a dessert that is mainly prepared on special occasions like family gatherings, weddings, and festivals. The main ingredients are jaggery, rice, and mustard oil. It's also a healthy recipe because it uses jaggery and mustard oil instead of their refined variants.

You have to try out each of these delicacies when you’re in town and trust us you’ll only have your taste buds thank you for it!