Must Try Culinary Gems In Hubli Dharwad, Karnataka Revealed

Hubli-Dharwad offers a rich culinary experience with iconic dishes like Dharwad Peda, Jolada Rotti with Badanekai Yennegai, and Dharwad Benne Dosa. The region blends traditional flavors with street food delights such as Mirchi Bajji and Khara Mandakki. From spicy curries to sweet treats, Hubli-Dharwad's cuisine reflects its vibrant cultural heritage.

Harpreet Kour Updated: Sep 09, 2024 7:35 PM IST

Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka Hubli-Dharwad, the twin cities in Karnataka, offer a delightful culinary journey that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region. From spicy street food to traditional delicacies, here are some must-try dishes that define the gastronomic experience of Hubli-Dharwad.

Dharwad Peda

Region's most loved sweet dish is absolutely Dharwad Peda which is made with khoya, sugar and scented with cardamom. This dessert has a soft grainy texture and sometimes it is topped with pistachios or almonds as garnish. Such mouth-watering sweets have been enjoyed by both natives and foreigners for more than one hundred years.

Jolada Rotti with Badanekai Yennegai

For instance, Jolada Rotti, commonly known as sorghum bread when paired with Badanekai Yennegai, an eggplant curry stuffed with spices makes an enticing meal. This nourishing food is typical of North Karnataka cuisine renowned for its earthy taste and health benefits. Normally made on a heated iron pan that imparts a smoky flavor which blends well with the hot curry.

Mirchi Bajji

Mirchi Bajji or stuffed chili fritters are very popular street side snacks in Hubli-Dharwad. These large green chilies are filled with tart spice mixture then coated in chickpea flour batter before being deep fried until crispy brown. They can be served hot accompanied by coconut chutney or tangy tamarind sauce making them locals' best choice especially during monsoon evenings.

Shenga Holige

These include Shenga Holige, also known as peanut holige or obbattu; which are eaten during festive seasons and other special events in many parts of Karnataka. It is prepared by filling refined flour dough with a sweet mixture of roasted peanuts, jaggery and cardamom. Afterwards the Holige are either roasted or shallow fried in ghee until they turn golden brown and this results in an intermingling of flavors as well as textures.

Kundapura Chicken Curry

However Kundapur Chicken Curry is much loved in Hubli-Dharwad despite its origins from the coastal region of Karnataka. Tender chicken pieces are simmered in a spicy coconut gravy which is seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and curry leaves for aroma. This dish goes well with neer dosa or steamed rice because it enhances the flavor.

Khara Mandakki

A popular evening snack there called Khara Mandakki, which is spicy puffed rice, means; that people of this area love spices so much. The spiced dry mixture consists of puffed rice fused onions, tomatoes , coriander leaves and some other spices that make it delicious as well as crispy. Often accompanied by sev or boondi it gains another dimension through texture

Dharwad Benne Dosa

It is Dharwad Benne Dosa which has become famous throughout Hubli-Dharwad due to its richness in butter content.Made with generous amounts of butter, these dosas have crispy skin but soft interior that comes from fermentation process resulting in slight tartness. Typically, served together with coconut chutney plus a hot potato filling thus making it a popular breakfast choice among locals and tourists alike.

Holige Saaru

Holige Saaru, also known as obbattu saaru, is a soup made of lentils that provides soothing warmth to the stomach when served with holiges (sweet stuffed flatbreads). It contains spices like cumin, pepper and garlic seasoning cooked in sieve-water used for boiling toor dal making it a thin broth that is both nourishing and tasty. This kashaya is commonly eaten during festival feasts and aids digestion.