7 Foods to Try in Ayodhya this Season

Ayodhya is drawing a significant influx of visitors due to the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Poojan, stands as a religious hub on the banks of the Saryu River. Renowned for being the birthplace of Lord Rama, it annually attracts pilgrims to sacred sites like Ram Janmbhoomi and Hanuman Garhi. While the town primarily offers vegetarian cuisine in its modest eateries and street food stalls, the regional flavors in Ayodhya are a treat for the soul. Here, we delve into seven traditional dishes that characterize the culinary charm of Ayodhya:

Chaat:

Ayodhya's streets are adorned with vibrant chaat stalls, offering a delightful array of tangy and crispy snacks. This beloved street food comes in sweet, sour, tangy, and spicy variations, complementing options like aloo tikki, paani puri, kachori, samosa, and papdi chaat.

Laddoo:

With numerous religious sites, Ayodhya boasts laddoos as a quintessential sweet. These round, lemon-sized delights are crafted from minced dough, sugar, and flour, with various recipes contributing to the town's diverse laddoo offerings, integral to holy and festive celebrations.

Rabri:

A satisfying dessert enjoyed in Ayodhya, rabri involves thickening milk by boiling it until reduced to one-third of its original volume. Garnished with chopped dry fruits like cashews and almonds, some variations include the addition of Kesar for extra flavor.

Veg Biryani:

Among Ayodhya's well-known dishes, veg biryani stands out. Combining a variety of vegetables, rice, and spices, this flavorsome and filling lunch option is often served with raita, showcasing an enticing blend of aromatic rice and spices.

Dahi Vada:

A renowned snack in Ayodhya, Dahi Vada offers a delightful combination of mint and tomato chutneys with fried vadas immersed in fresh curd. The tanginess is heightened with cumin seeds powder, black salt, and chaat masala.

North Indian Thalis:

Reflecting the city's diverse culinary offerings, most restaurants in Ayodhya serve North Indian thalis. These vegetarian thalis typically include chapatis, rice, dal, sabzi, salad, pickle, papad, and a sweet, with variations based on size and price.

Kachori:

A popular round and flat snack, Kachori is filled with a spicy mixture made from all-purpose flour and stuffed with ingredients like baked yellow gram, horse beans, or gram flour. Enjoyed in various variations in Ayodhya, it is often paired with chaat or zesty pudina chutney.