Chandigarh famous food blogs by BitesBee

Famous Food in Chandigarh: Top 10 Must-Try Dishes

July 31, 2024

Located at the heart of Northern India, the “city of beauty,” Chandigarh, is also home to a diverse range of cuisine from many traditions.

From spicy Punjabi food to sweet Himalayan treats to all kinds of Southern-Indian delicacies and International flavors, at Chandigarh, you can find it all.

Surrounded by multiple states with each having its culinary techniques and as one of the wealthiest towns in India has helped it become the epicenter of food, arts, and culture.

Continuous urbanization and development have further established its name as one of the most sought-after towns in India for livelihood and vacation.

With one of the highest incomes per capita and as the happiest city in India, it’s no surprise to see that people here often love their food with no compromises or holding back.

Serving the palates of every foodie, whether you are a local or a visitor, is its long line of restaurants and hotels that can leave you drooling for more.

One such chain of food restaurants that has come out as of late in Chandigarh’s culinary scene is BitesBee! Based in Mohali, which is one of the very towns that makes Chandigarh a metropolitan area along with Panchkula, it is a famous destination for foodies from all corners of the tri-city.

What makes BitesBee rather popular in the town though, is not so much to do with our location, but the taste and varieties we offer.

Some of our favorite dishes that continue to mesmerize the taste buds of our food enthusiasts are also a staple to the Indian main course.

Here is a list of famous foods in Chandigarh. Without further ado, let’s take a look:

Also Read – Best Places Offering Special Navratri Thali in Chandigarh!

1. Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is a non-vegetarian dish that is made by mixing chicken with a spicy tomato and butter sauce.

Traditionally known as “murgh makhani,” it is a type of curry that was originally invented in Old Delhi back in the 1950s.

While invented by chance or accident, Butter Chicken continues to be celebrated as a popular choice for non-vegetarians in Chandigarh and even outside India.

To prepare it, we start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of ingredients including dahi (yogurt), lemon juice, ginger and garlic paste, and a various other spices or Indian masalas.

The best part- you can cook the chicken in a number of ways such as a tandoor, grill, oven, or pan depending on your taste and preference.

2. Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani is yet another famous Indian dish that was invented by none other than the makers of Butter Chicken- Kundan Lal Jaggi and Kundan Lal Gujral.

As a lentil-based vegetarian dish, it is made by adding butter and cream to a mixture of black lentils (urad dal) and other pulses.

And since butter is commonly known as ‘makhan’ in India, hence the term ‘dal makhani.’

To prepare it, we first need to soak the lentils and beans overnight or for at least 8 hours and then simmer it in low heat along with a few spices such as ginger, garlic, and garam masala.

After that, the mixture is cooked in a tangy base of onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients such as dried mango powder or pomegranate seeds.

Finally, it is topped with fresh cream and butter to give you a rich and creamy texture.

3. Chicken Tikka

Another popular dish in Chandigarh’s culinary scene is Chicken Tikka.

As a non-vegetarian dish, it contains tiny pieces of boneless chicken that are baked directly on fire or charcoal after marinating them in Indian spices and dahi (yogurt).

Being a boneless version of tandoori chicken, Chicken Tikka is widely loved by meat lovers from all around the world including Chandigarh.

As such, there are plenty of ways of preparing chicken tikka that varies from place to place.

For instance, in Kashmir, it is made by grilling the chicken over red-hot coals and may not necessarily be entirely boneless.

Regardless, Chicken Tikka is usually eaten with green coriander and tamarind sauce served with onion rings and lemon.

Or, it can be used to prepare the finger-licking “chicken tikka masala.”

4. Paneer Tikka

Those who don’t eat meat but still fancy its chewy texture can always go for paneer tikka as a perfect alternative to chicken tikka and other meat dishes.

Also known as Paneer Soola or Chhena Soola, it is a pure vegetarian dish that is made by grilling paneer chunks or cubes in a tandoor after marinating them in multiple Indian spices.

(Paneer is a type of cheese that is quite common in India).

After marinating them, pieces of paneer are arranged on a stick with capsicums, onions, and tomatoes to be cooked or grilled in a clay-made tandoor.

As a popular dish in Chandigarh and BitesBee, it is served steaming hot with lemon juice and chat masala.

When served with a sauce, it becomes “paneer tikka masala.”

5. Veg Manchurian

Perhaps no other dish of Chinese origin has impacted the Indian culinary scene as much as Manchurian.

Better known as veg Manchurian, it is an Indo-Chinese dish that is made by mixing fried vegetable stuffed balls in a sweet, spice, and tangy Manchurian sauce or gravy.

You can also make it dry or semi-dry depending on your taste and preference.

Regardless of that, some of the common ingredients used in a veg Manchurian include corn flour, maida, spring onion, bell peppers, soy sauce, chili sauce, minced garlic, ground pepper, etc.

As such, it is a common side dish or snack that goes perfectly well at parties and get-togethers especially when hard drinks are involved.

6. Hakka Noodles

Another Indo-Chinese dish that continues to please our appetite and taste buds is “hakka noodles.”

The term “Hakka” is associated with both the types of noodles used and the final dish.

Contrary to regular Schezwan noodles, hakka noodles are usually made with soy sauce and thus are less spicy or pungent than the former.

It is typically made by boiling stir-fried noodles with a variety of veggies and sauces.

Despite being a famous form of fast food, Hakka noodles are rather healthier due to the wheat-based flour used in their preparation. This makes it a favorite choice for Maggi lovers, especially kids and then parents as it helps them give their children the tempting taste of Maggi in a safer manner.

Also Read – Top Restaurants Serving Best Momos in Mohali,

7. Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is one of the most common and delicious breakfasts in Northern India.

In essence, it is a combination of two common Indian food items- poori or bhatura which is a type of deep-fried bread made of maida, and chana masala which is a spicy gravy with white chickpeas and other ingredients.

More precisely, it is cooked by adding several spices such as cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric powder, and chill powder to already boiled chickpeas.

Bhature or poori on the other hand is prepared by first making a dough out of flour, salt, and oil and then shaping them into a pancake design which is deep-fried until the bhatura is all puffed up.

As a fully-fledged main course meal, chole bhature is often served with pickles, onions, green chutney, achar, and sometimes ‘lassi’ or buttermilk.

Also Read – Best Gol Gappa in Chandigarh

8. Honey Gulab Jamun

Apart from the spicy main course, India is also known for its sweets and desserts including the mighty “gulab jamun.”

Originating in the Indian subcontinent, it is a famous confectionary or a type of ‘mithai’ (dessert) that is essentially a soft ball of milk solids (khoya) dripped in a sweet/ sugar syrup and garnished in dried nuts such as almonds and cashews.

As a key treat for special occasions, gulab jamun can be served in a variety of ways and portions depending on the local culinary tradition.

For instance, our signature variation- honey gulab jamun uses pure bee honey to enhance the flavor.

Also Read – Different Food Items of Different States in India

9. Ice Cream Sundae

Speaking of desserts, Ice Cream Sundae is a popular American dessert that has made its mark all over the world.

A type of ice cream, it can be topped with various toppings such as sauce or syrup and other ingredients including sprinkles, whipped cream, marshmallows, peanuts, maraschino cherries, or other fruit derivatives.

As such there are tons of variations of Ice Cream Sundae that you can try in Chandigarh including our very own BitesBee.

Also Read – The Ultimate List of Food Items

10. Veg Biryani + Raita

Biryani is a famous Southern Indian dish that is a mixture of rice, meat, veggies, and spices.

As the most popular dish in India, it is also made without meat to cater to the needs of those who are strictly vegetarian.

That said, at BitesBee, you can get a pure vegetarian form of biryani called “veg biryani” which maintains a strong aromatic smell of spices that is quite peculiar.

To enhance the juiciness and lighten up the spices, veg biryani is further served with raita or curd, salads, or gravy.

Also Read – Best Restaurants in Mohali ( Top 10 )

Conclusion

As you can see, Chandigarh’s culinary scene celebrates a wide range of food items from all over the world, especially from India.

Paying homage to its rich history, at BitesBee, we passionately contribute to the modern food landscape by serving a staggering number of Indian dishes from right under our roof.

From appetizers to main courses to all kinds of desserts and drinks, at BitesBee, you can get all of it and more at affordable prices.

So the next time you are out or looking to order your favorite food, BitesBee is the place to be where you can try every famous food in Chandigarh without having to go anywhere else.