Welcome to the culinary paradise of Maharashtra, where traditional food takes center stage and tantalizes taste buds with its rich flavors and aromatic spices. Maharashtra’s gastronomic heritage is a delightful blend of bold flavors, unique cooking techniques, and diverse ingredients that reflect the state’s cultural diversity. From street food delights like the iconic vada pav and pav bhaji to the festive indulgence of puran poli and ukdiche modak, Maharashtra’s traditional cuisine offers a feast for both the senses and the soul. Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the vibrant and delectable world of Maharashtra’s traditional food. Maharashtra is one of the western states in the Indian Subcontinent that has its own cultural diversity. The ethnicity of the place is still well preserved and people nurture it very much. The food in Maharashtra is also part of this cultural diversity and there are some of these delicacies that are mouth-watering and extremely delicious. Come join me as we explore the amazing food native to Maharashtra. The next visit to Maharashtra will be full of unique dishes that are part of the native cuisine.
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The list of spectacular Maharashtrian food is never ending, but we will here focus on the amazing food that the state of Maharashtra has to offer.
Let’s drool over the Maharashtra famous food list:
#1. Pav Bhaji – Famous Food of Maharashtra
#2. Vada Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#3. Puran Poli- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#4. Misal Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#5. Modak- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#6. Ragda Pattice- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#7. Bharli Vangi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#8. Shrikhand- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#9. Poha- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#10. Sabudana Khichdi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#11. Rassa- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#12. Sol Kadhi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
#1. Pav Bhaji- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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The one food that has been traced back to the State of Maharashtra is the amazing Pav Bhaji. This dish is served with toasted bread made of flour and potato mash cooked with a variety of vegetables. The bread is very spongy and the toasted flavour of the bread with butter enhances its taste. The bhaji is made with a lot of chopped vegetables such as capsicum, onions and tomatoes. The special taste that is attained by the bhaji is because of the Pav Bhaji masala that is made by mixing a number of spices. This dish is loved by a lot of Indians and is served with different variations all across the country.
#2. Vada Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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If you went to any place in Maharashtra and did not enjoy this dish, I would say you missed out on a lot. This fast food cum snack cum main course is served to thousands of people all around Maharashtra. This dish has a potato patty which is wrapped in gram flour and deep fried. This deep-fried patty is placed inside of a bun which is laced with different spicy chutneys. This famous dish of Maharashtra is served with a green chilli on the side which enhances the flavour.
The most important thing about this dish is that it is very economically feasible for people of all groups. The potato patty adds volume to the dish and it can fill your hungry stomach quite easily. This dish also has a variation that is bhajiya pav which has a fritter made of onion placed in between the bun.
#3. Puran Poli- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This dish is extremely popular among the Marathi population. This dish is basically the western version of the Parathas. The twist to this dish is that it is sweet in taste. The stuffing for the puran poli is made of chana dal and jaggery. This stuffing is placed in a dough ball and then spread as a paratha and cooked properly on a pan. This sweet dish is made in every Maharashtrian household when there are any festive celebrations. This dish is not only cooked during celebration time but can be eaten out throughout the day.
#4. Misal Pav- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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One of those dishes that is loved by Maharashtrians and is part of the Maharashtrian Cuisine is Misal Pav. Pav is flour bread which is very soft and spongy. This dish has its origins in the city of Pune and can be eaten at any time during the day. But most people prefer to eat it during the morning hours or even during brunch time. A lentil curry is prepared and this curry is served with the spongy bread. It is widely eaten around the state of Maharashtra and is one of the best foods in Maharashtra.
Do read – Where Can Misal Pav Lovers Find Some of the Best Places to Eat Misal in Pune?
& Must check out – 11 Best Places to Eat ‘Tikhat’ Misal Pav in Aamchi Mumbai
#5. Modak- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This is one of the best foods served in Maharashtra. It is mostly served during Ganesh Mahautsav and is a traditional food of Maharashtra as it is one of the sweet delicacies that is also served to the deity. It is believed that Modak is the most favourite sweet of Lord Ganpati and he loves eating it. The filling of the modak is sweet and it mostly consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery. The outer covering of the modak is made of rice flour and it is steamed mostly. There are different varieties of modak that are served all around the State of Maharashtra during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival which is celebrated eco-friendly these days.
#6. Ragda Pattice- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This is one of the most famous Maharashtrian street food dishes which has the name ragda pattice. This dish is prepared by boiled peas which are served with lots of spices and chutneys. The patty is made of potato and it is dipped in the pea gravy. There are some crisps that are served as a side dish to the Ragda patty. This dish is served in many restaurants across Maharashtra and also part of the local street food and is served at different stalls.
#7. Bharli Vangi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This is one of the most interesting ways to cook brinjal which makes it even more delicious. The brinjal is stuffed with coconut, onion and jaggery. One of the most interesting things about this dish is that it uses a special recipe that is the Marathi goda masala that makes the dish taste delicious. The brinjal gets a new flavour because of this dish. There might be people who do not like the vegetable but with this dish they are going to enjoy eating brinjal.
#8. Shrikhand- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This is another sweet dish that is served all across Maharashtra. It is a sweet yogurt dish, which has a lot of flavours like cardamom powder, saffron etcetera. This dish is the most decorated at any Marathi wedding ceremony and is also served to people during the times of Dussehra. There are many sweet dishes in Maharashtrian cuisine but there is nothing like the sweet delicacy of Shrikhand.
This dish is majorly served with puris that are hot. So, the cold yogurt dish can create a balance.
Must Read: 5 Unique and Interesting Local Dishes of India
#9. Poha- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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How can we forget Poha, when we are discussing Maharashtrian cuisine? Poha also known as kanda poha in Maharashtra is a breakfast essential. It is made almost every day in every household as a breakfast staple. It is made from flattened rice which is soaked in water for a while and then dried up. This dish contains mustard seeds, peanuts and mostly onions which is also called kanda in the Marathi language. The dish of Poha has a lot of variations such as the batata poha, which means the poha has the main ingredient as potatoes. There are also other ingredients that go into the making of the dish such as grated coconut and lime juice which greatly enhance the flavours of the dish.
#10. Sabudana Khichdi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This dish is prepared from Sago or Tapioca Starch. It is widely popular as a snacking item among the Marathi population. The people of Maharashtra eat this savoury item which has a lot of curry leaves, peanuts and a dash of lime juice which makes the dish an ultimate hit. This dish is mostly consumed by people who are on a fast during the festive season. Due to the special preparations of the dish during the fast, ghee is also used in making the dish better.
#11. Rassa- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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This is one of the non-vegetarian dishes that is loved by most of the Marathis. It can be made of chicken or mutton. This dish has a lot of spices and gravy so the name is rassa. This fish can be best eaten with rice or even any bread that is traditionally made in Maharashtra. There are many variations to this dish as the red curry uses a lot of red chillies and is served piping hot. As this dish is very famous among the people, it can be found at any local non-vegetarian restaurant. If you have a thing for amazing non-vegetarian dishes then you must try this one out. Another non-vegetarian dish to drool over is the Kolhapur Chicken which has enormous spices but a very subtle taste.
Must Read: 5 Types Of Tikkas You Must Have While Travelling in India
#12. Sol Kadhi- Famous Food of Maharashtra
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Sol Kadhi is one of the most popular Maharashtrian dishes that is made from the white jelly part of the coconut. This white gelatinous part of the coconut is sweet in taste and is used in making this amazing delicacy. This dish is mostly famous around the coastal cities of Maharashtra, Goa and other Konkan Regions, where coconut is very easily available. This dish is also very health friendly as coconut has many qualities when it comes to health.
Must Read: 5 Scrumptious Sweets to Relish in Kolkata
Maharashtra has proved time and again that it has a diverse culture that has been preserved by the local people through different times. There are some delicacies in the Maharashtrian cuisine that are world famous and are recognised by top restaurants around the world. Food in Maharashtra is very economically friendly because you get huge filling portions in a less amount.
There are many people in Maharashtra that live in slums, for them street food such as vada pav are part of their daily meal. But there are others who enjoy the delicacy of vada pav equally. The sweet tooth people also have different desserts to choose from such as the Puran Poli, Modak and Shrikhand. There are also non-vegetarian dishes such as rassa which are hugely popular and satisfy the non-vegetarian community residing in the state of Maharashtra.
All in all, if you ever get a chance to explore the specialities of Maharashtra, you might not want to miss the chance. So, to all the crazy eaters, eat away.
Must Know – Top 15 Famous Food of Uttarakhand | Travellers of India
FAQs on – Famous Food of Maharashtra
Q1: What are some famous dishes from Maharashtra?
A: Maharashtra is known for its diverse and flavorsome cuisine. Some popular dishes include Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Puran Poli, Pav Bhaji, Modak, Sabudana Vada, and Kolhapuri Chicken.
Q2: What is the specialty street food of Maharashtra?
A: Maharashtra offers a wide range of lip-smacking street food options. Some must-try street foods include Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, Dabeli, Kothimbir Vadi, Batata Vada, and Ragda Pattice.
Q3: Are there any vegetarian specialties in Maharashtrian cuisine?
A: Absolutely! Maharashtrian cuisine has a variety of vegetarian delights. Some popular vegetarian specialties include Thalipeeth, Sabudana Khichdi, Bharli Vangi (Stuffed Eggplant), Masale Bhaat, and Puran Poli.
Q4: Which regions of Maharashtra have distinct food cultures?
A: Different regions of Maharashtra have their own distinct food cultures. For instance, Kolhapuri cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, while Malvani cuisine offers a coastal culinary experience with its delectable seafood preparations.
Q5: Can you recommend any sweet delicacies from Maharashtra?
A: Maharashtra is known for its delectable sweet treats. Some must-try desserts include Modak (especially during Ganesh Chaturthi), Shrikhand, Aamras, Basundi, and Gulab Jamun.
Q6: Are there any famous food festivals in Maharashtra?
A: Yes, Maharashtra hosts several food festivals that showcase the rich culinary heritage of the state. The Pune Food Festival, Nagpur Food Festival, and Mumbai Street Food Festival are some notable events where you can savor a wide array of Maharashtrian delicacies.
Q7: What makes Maharashtrian cuisine unique?
A: Maharashtrian cuisine is characterized by its bold flavors, aromatic spices, and the use of locally available ingredients. The cuisine reflects the diverse cultural influences on the region, resulting in a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Q8: Where can I find authentic Maharashtrian food in Maharashtra?
A: Authentic Maharashtrian food can be found in local eateries, street food stalls, and traditional Maharashtrian restaurants across Maharashtra. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik offer a wide range of options to explore the culinary delights of the state.
Q9: Are there any popular beverages from Maharashtra?
A: Yes, Maharashtra offers refreshing beverages such as Kokum Sherbet, Solkadhi (made from kokum and coconut milk), and Taak (a spiced buttermilk) that are perfect for beating the heat and complementing the flavors of the local cuisine.
Q10: Can I learn to cook Maharashtrian dishes?
A: Yes, there are cooking classes and workshops available in Maharashtra where you can learn to cook Maharashtrian dishes. Additionally, there are online resources, cookbooks, and videos that can guide you in recreating these delectable dishes in your own kitchen.
great post.
Sabudana khichdi is my favorite dish and one of the healthy recipe.
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