What comes to your mind when you think about Jammu? Beautiful temples and natural beauty. But did you know that Jammu is a hidden gem for food lovers as well? Rich mountain cheese to sweet delights and traditional meals, local food and famous food of Jammu is full of unique flavours that you wouldn’t taste anywhere else in India.
- Kaladi Cheese – The Pride of Jammu
- Kud Ka Patisa – Famous Sweet With Layers You Will Love
- Peerah Rajma Chawal – Traditinal & Famous food of Jammu
- Kud Chocolate Burfi – A Sweet to Surprise You
- Suchi Puri – Jammu’s Traditional Breakfast Delight
- Girdhari Kachalu Wala – Popular Kachalu Chaat Shop In Jammu
- Lalli Shah Kulfi Wala – The Best Falooda shop in Jammu
- Conclusion
- F&Q’S
Today in this blog, we’ll explore 7 must try local delicacies from Jammu that you just can’t miss out.
Kaladi Cheese – The Pride of Jammu
Kaladi (or Kalari) is a traditional hill-cheese, made from cow or buffalo milk. It’s salty, stretchy and chewy almost like mozzarella but with a desi twist.
People usually fry it until it’s golden and crispy outside and soft inside. Served with buns, chutney i.e, Kaladi Kulcha. Kaladi cheese that was born in Jammu is now getting popular across North India.
Where to Eat the Best Kaladi?
Whether you are staying in Jammu city or enroute to Srinagar, here are two popular places where you can try authentic Kaladi:
Pandit Kaladi Kulcha
Location : Moti Bazar Road, Pakki Dhaki, Old Heritage City, Jammu
If you’re in Jammu and not heading toward Srinagar, then this is a perfect spot to try Jammu Kaladi kulcha. Locals love it and it’s always fresh and full of flavours.
Khajuria Kalari Point
Location: Toldi Nallah Samroli, Udhampur, NH 44, J&K
If you’re heading towards Srinagar, just stop at Khajuria Kalari Point on the jammu srinagar highway. It is a famous dhaba where you can taste original, road side styled Kaladi hot, fresh and super satisfying.
Why You Should Try Kaladi:
- Available only in Jammu & Udhampur
- GI-Tagged traditional cheese
- Crispy, cheesy and bursting with local flavor
- Available in both Jammu city as well as on the Jammu Srinagar highway
Kud Ka Patisa – Famous Sweet With Layers You Will Love
While traveling on Jammu-Patnitop highway, a must visit spot is Kud, a small town famous for its sweet and that is Patisa.
This is a slightly richer and flakier version of Soan Papdi. Kud Patisa, which is made with desi ghee and topped with dry fruits, melts in your mouth and is a favourite snack for tourists and locals alike.
Where To Get Best Patisa in Jammu & Kashmir?
You don’t have to search much — Prem Sweets Jammu has a number of stores throughout the region. Here are the main ones:
Prem Sweets, Kud ( Oldest & Most famous outlet )
Location: Kud Main Bazar, Jammu & Kashmir
This is the first shop and a compulsory stopover for those traveling towards Patnitop. Fresh Patisa is always available here and prepared with pure desi ghee in a traditional way.
Prem Sweets NH 44, Ghantwal
Location: Jammu–Srinagar Highway, Ghantwal, 182141
Another good stop if you’re on the Jammu Srinagar highway and need something sweet while travelling.
Prem Sweets Jammu City
Location: Sarwal, Janipur, Jammu
If you are in Jammu city, you can enjoy the same authentic Patisa without going out of town.
Prem Sweets, Udhampur Highway
Location: NH 44, Rathore Nagar, Rathian, Jammu.
Perfect stop for those travelling through Udhampur on the highway. Don’t forget to pick up a box of Patisa on your way out, or bring it home.
Why Choose Prem Sweets Patisa?
- Prepared from 100% pure desi ghee
- Perfect for gifting and snacking while traveling
- Authentic flavor you won’t forget
Peerah Rajma Chawal – Traditinal & Famous food of Jammu
No Jammu darshan can be complete without a plate of Jammu Rajma Chawal from Peerah, a small village near District Ramban.
What makes Peerah Rajma different? The Small red kidney beans are local and creamy, with a rich taste. Slow-cooked with local spices and served with steamed rice and desi ghee, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Where to Eat the Best Rajma Chawal in Peerah?
Khajuria Vaishno Dhaba, Peerah
Location: Peerah, District Ramban on National Highway 44
This dhaba is perfect for good food and with a view of the Baglihar Dam. The Rajma is fresh, the rice is hot and the service is warm.
Old Mansa Ram & Sons Dhaba, Peerah
Location: Peerah, District Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar Highway (NH 44)
This is one of the oldest and most popular dhabas in that region. Their Rajma Chawal tastes just like it’s made in local home kitchens: pure, rich and full of flavour.
Why You Must Try Rajma Chawal at Peerah:
- Local, small red kidney beans (not the regular market variety)
- Cooked with traditional spices
- Served with rice, desi ghee & Anardana ki chutney.
Kud Chocolate Burfi – A Sweet to Surprise You
Yes, kud is not only popular for Patisa. It also offers a yummy version of an old Indian sweet Chocolate Burfi.
This chocolate burfi from Kud is made with khoya (milk solids), cocoa powder and sugar, ideal for the chocolate lover who still wants that desi mithai vibe. It’s widely available at stores on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Where to Find Best Chocolate Burfi in Kud?
If you are on the Jammu–Srinagar Highway (NH 44), take a break at Kud and go straight to Prem Sweets. Famous for their Patisa, they also have a fresh Chocolate Burfi.
Why You Should Try Kud’s Choco Burfi:
- Special combination of chocolate and desi khoya
- Handmade using traditional methods
- Available only in few hilly towns such as Kud
Suchi Puri – Jammu’s Traditional Breakfast Delight
This Puri is in golden color, crispy puri generally served with flavourful slides such as:
- Sweet halwa
- Spicy chana
- Or, sometimes, tangy pickles or chutney
The Suchi puris are prepared with simple and basic ingredients like wheat flour, water, salt and a little of ajwain, then just deep fry them to perfection.
Where to Eat Best Suchi Puri in Jammu?
Jani Di Hatti
Location: Rajinder Bazar Road, Pratapgarh, Pakki Dhaki, Jammu
An iconic shop in Old Jammu city, famous for the last several decades for its suchi puri with halwa and chana. The flavors are authentic, and fresh.
Kasturi & Nikka Halwai
Location: Main Market, Jammu, Trikuta Nagar
If you are staying in the newer areas of Jammu, this is your go to spot. The puris are always fresh and crunchy while the chana and halwa combo is absolute perfection. Perfect for breakfast or an easy snack any time of day.
Why Try Suchi Puri in Jammu?
- Served with halwa, chana, chutneys – all homemade
- Available at traditional local sweet shops
- Traditional food of jammu
Girdhari Kachalu Wala – Popular Kachalu Chaat Shop In Jammu
If you are a fan of tangy-spicy street food, do not miss the famous kachalu chaat at Girdhari Kachalu Wala. The chaat is prepared with kachalu that’s boiled and mixed with home-made spices, lemon juice, and chutneys.
Where to Eat the Most Delicious Kachalu Chaat in Jammu?
Location: Pakki Dhaki, adjacent Kachi Chawni, Old Jammu
Why Try Kachalu Chaat at Girdhari’s?
- Popular among locals and food lovers
- An authentic and traditional food of jammu
Lalli Shah Kulfi Wala – The Best Falooda shop in Jammu
For kulfi falooda in Jammu, no one can do it better than Lalli Shah Kulfi Wala. This famous falooda shop in the city is an iconic shop in Purani Mandi that has been serving hearts for generations.
Location: Fatthu Chaugan, Pakki Dakki, Jammu
Why You’ll Love It:
- Rich and creamy kulfi the traditional way!
- Served with cool falooda and rose syrup
- A perfect summer treat or dessert after spicy food
Conclusion
Famous food of Jammu is not just a meal, it is culture, tradition and hospitality served on your plate. Whether you are planning a tour or from Jammu, do not forget to taste these dishes.
So the next time you’re in Jammu, skip the usual fast food and treat yourself with some real Jammu dishes like Kaladi, Kud Patisa, and Peerah Rajma Chawal. Your taste buds will thank you.
F&Q’S
Q. What is the most famous food of Jammu?
Ans: The most famous food of Jammu is Rajma Chawal, Kaladi Kulcha, Suchi Puri with halwa and channa. It is a local comfort food that you will find in homes, dhabas and even street stalls or old markets such as Pakki Dhaki and Purani Mandi.
Q. What are the traditional foods of Jammu?
Ans: Some of the famous traditional food of Jammu are:
- Jammu Rajma
- Auriya
- Ambal
- Kaladi Kulcha
- Suchi Puri with Halwa and Chana
These are dishes of Dogra cuisine, and have been eaten for generations here. If you are a food lover and want to experience Jammu local food, start with these.
Q. Which are the most popular sweets of Jammu?
Ans: Jammu is famous for its delicious tasty and local sweets such as:
- Patisa
- Chocolate Barfi
- Dry Fruit Sweets
- Kalakand
Prem Sweets Jammu is one of the reliable and trusted shops for these.
Q. Is Jammu Food similar to Kashmiri Food?
Ans: No, Jammu and Kashmir food is very different:
- Jammu food is more vegetarian, spicier and street food style.
- Kashmiri food is more non-veg, having dishes such as Rogan Josh, Gushtaba and Kahwa tea.
Together, both regions offer amazing variety in what we call Jammu Kashmir food.
Q. What is Kaladi Kulcha?
Ans: One of the must try dishes in Jammu is Kaladi Kulcha. It’s made with Kaladi , a local cheese that is fried until crispy on the outside but melted inside and then filled in kulcha (a soft bread). It’s cheesy, salty and super satisfying and delicious. No wonder it’s one of the most famous foods of Jammu.
