If you have a true relationship with food, then Bhopal is like an open treasure for you. There is a new fragrance at every turn, there is a story behind every shop and every dish has a feeling that resides in the heart. This city is not just a place to fill your stomach, but a long, soft and relaxing journey of taste. The Nawabi food here does not depend on any show off. Bright spices or strong flavors are not the hallmark here. Instead, the food is so soft, so thick and so lovely that you realize for the first time that this city has learned over centuries not just to prepare, but to cherish its food. The magic of Bhopal’s kitchen is its balance. The spices here don’t shout themselves out; They open slowly, like an old friend who is in no hurry. That’s why when you taste seekh kebab for the first time, or have meat korma cooked in mild spices, it seems that all this has come from some other time, calm, royal and extremely savory. And when the day sets and the steam of Sulaimani tea rises on the banks of the lake, then one realizes that the taste of this city is not limited to just the plate; It is also dissolved in air.
Start the day with poha and jalebi
Bhopal’s day starts with lights and fragrance, and Poha-Jalebi has a big role in it. Soft poha comes with mild spices, to which the added sev and green coriander give it even more freshness. Along with it, hot, syrup soaked jalebi which breaks upon being touched gives a sweet, light and comforting color to the morning. Paired with a strong cup of tea, this creates such a balance that your entire day seems effortless.
Melt in mouth kebabs
By noon the smell of kebabs starts spreading in the streets of the city. Bhopali seekh kebabs are known for their softness and juiciness. There is almost no need to chew while eating them, they dissolve on their own. Every bite of these with mint chutney takes you on a journey to an old era, slow, royal and very relaxing.
The thick wonder of Bhopali Gosht Korma
If there is any dish of Bhopal which seems to be the identity of the city, then it is Gosht Korma. It is cooked on low flame for a long time, so that the spices quietly penetrate the meat. Its taste is not overpowering, but it creates such a place in your heart that you are not able to forget it for a long time. Eat it with Naan or Sheermaal, and you will feel as if a page of history has opened in front of you. Delicate, soft and extremely flavourful.
Street flavor still alive in old streets
The narrow streets of the old city show the real character of Bhopal. Here the smell of bun kebab calls from far away. At one corner, sweet, thick and creamy Shahi Tukda is available, which surprises you in the very first bite. Sweets like Mawa Bati are the identity of this place, heavy, dipped in syrup and filled with dry fruits. Every shop, every stall seems as if it has an old story inside it.
A beautiful end to the day with Sulaimani tea by the lakeside
When the sun descends, drawing a golden line on the surface of the water, then the real peace of Bhopal begins. Sulemani tea available on the banks of the lake is a combination of mild sweetness and mild spices. While drinking this, looking at the glow of the city feels like a quiet, slow moment where there is no hurry, no noise. Bhopal seems to be saying: “Wait a little more, the taste is still left.
