Local Food of Garhwal – Phaanu, Jhangore ki Kheer, Arsa & More

Garhwali food is not spicy like some North Indian dishes. Instead, it is mild, earthy, and often has a smoky aroma. Dal, rice, seasonal veggies, and local grains like mandua, jhangora, and chaulai are commonly used. Let’s explore some popular local dishes of Garhwal like Phaanu, Jhangore ki Kheer, Arsa, and more.

Phaanu – The Protein-Packed Delight

Phaanu is a delicious thick lentil curry made from soaked and ground pulses like gahat dal (kulthi), arhar, or urad. It is a very popular winter food in Garhwal due to its warming effect and protein content.

How it’s made:

• Pulses are soaked overnight

• Ground into paste

• Slow-cooked with mustard oil, garlic, cumin and local spices

• Served hot with rice

Phaanu is often made during festivals and special occasions. It’s both filling and healthy.

Jhangore ki Kheer – The Sweet Taste of Hills

Jhangora, or barnyard millet, is a superfood from the Himalayas. A sweet dish called Jhangore ki Kheer is made from it. It’s light, creamy, and full of flavour.

Ingredients & Process:

• Jhangora cooked slowly in milk

• Sugar, elaichi and dry fruits added

• Rich and comforting

It’s commonly made in Pahadi weddings, village feasts, and fasts.

Arsa – The Sweet of Celebrations

Arsa is a traditional Garhwali sweet made during weddings and festivals like Makarsankranti, Diwali, and Chautha. It is soft, mildly sweet, and made with very few ingredients.

How it’s made:

• Rice soaked overnight, then ground into a smooth paste

• Jaggery (gud) is melted and mixed with rice batter

• Small round balls are made and deep-fried in desi ghee or oil

The outside is crispy, inside soft and sweet. Arsa is usually stored for many days and shared with guests during rituals.

You can read more about Arsa in my detailed post here:
Arsa – Traditional Garhwali Sweet Dish

Kafuli – The Green Magic

Made from leafy greens like palak or lai, Kafuli is a thick curry packed with iron and minerals. It’s a winter special dish in every Garhwali home.

Cooked with garlic, jakhiya and thickened with rice flour paste, it’s usually eaten with hot rice or mandua roti.

Chainsoo – Another Lentil-Based Wonder

Chainsoo is made from roasted urad dal. It’s grounded and cooked in mustard oil with garlic and local masalas. Chainsoo has a unique roasted aroma and tastes best with plain rice.

Bhangeera & Til Chutney – Nutty & Tangy Sides

• Bhangeera chutney – Made with roasted hemp seeds and curd. Tastes tangy and nutty.

• Til ki chutney – Roasted sesame seeds crushed with salt and lemon. Both are served with dal-rice combo.

Mandua ki Roti – The Millet Roti of the Hills

Mandua or ragi is grown in high altitudes of Garhwal. Its rotis are high in calcium, fibre and good for winters. Usually eaten with ghee and jaggery or local sabzi.

Aloo ke Gutke – The Famous Garhwali Snack

Dry roasted potatoes cooked with red chillies and jakhiya. This is a must-try pahadi snack, often served as prasad during village events or temple visits.

Dubuk – The Soft Lentil Curry

A thick and simple dish made from gahat or urad dal. It’s light, easily digestible, and very comforting in cold weather. Usually served with rice and ghee.

Where to Try These Local Dishes?

You can taste these Garhwali foods in:

• Village homes & local kitchens

• Homestays and eco-resorts in places like Srinagar, Tehri, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi

• Local melas, pujas and traditional weddings

If you’re travelling to Garhwal, don’t miss these authentic tastes. They are part of the culture, tradition, and the Himalayan way of living.

Conclusion

Garhwali food is simple, soulful, and strongly connected to nature. Be it the richness of Phaanu, the sweetness of Arsa, or the healthiness of Kafuli, every dish tells a story of the mountains.

Next time you visit Garhwal, skip the packed snacks – and eat what the locals eat. Because true travel is not complete without the taste of the local thali!

 By – Mohit Bangari

If you want explore cultural aspect of Uttarakhand, you can read my article on famous festival of Uttarakhand.