Known for its rich and diverse culture, Maharashtra offers you with a wide range of flavors through its cuisines. When exploring the beautiful sites of the state, you can deep dive into the local delicacies to enrich your experience. During a road trip, enjoying Maharashtra local foods not only provides you with taste but also reflects its tradition.
Whether your taste buds look for spicy foods or have a sweet tooth, in Maharashtra, you can satisfy your cravings with every type of dish. Especially, the street foods of this state are famous worldwide for the burst of flavors and joy they provide. The local foods of this region have more than just taste; they have the soul of Maharashtra blended in every bite.
Also Read: Why Choose Saibaba Travels for Customised Taxi & Car Rentals in Maharashtra
Let’s Explore the Best Local Foods of Maharashtra on a Road Trip
The authentic Maharashtrian dishes are blended with spices, flavors, and cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations. The list of local foods ranges from spicy curries to mouth-watering desserts, which are not only delicious but also wrapped in history. Tradition and culture.
Maharashtrian dishes are influenced by the state’s geography, climate, and diverse culture. This state is home to a long coastline along the Arabian Sea from Mumbai to Goa, with several seafood dishes. You can experience the use of various flavours and spices when travelling through the different regions
Here is a list of the best local foods that you must try during a Maharashtra road trip
1. Vada Pav: One of the most loved and talked about local dishes of the state, Vada Pav is a widely available street food snack. Especially, when you are in Mumbai, give your taste buds a feast with Vada Pav, which is also referred to as a vegetable burger
Vada Pav consists of a spiced mashed potato mixture deep-fried into a patty, which is kept between two fluffy buns and garnished with different kinds of chutneys and spices of seasoning. Also, the fried green chillies and the chutneys with every bIte increases the flavour. It may sound simple, but it can be one of the most satisfying dishes you can try in Maharashtra.
2. Pav Bhaji: This is another popular local dish in Maharashtra that you must try when on a roadtrip. Pav Bhaji is made with a combination of vegetables that are mashed up and prepared with spices, making it a curry that is served with buttered, toasted bread.
This is one of the most flavourful dishes that you can taste anytime during your road trip. Especially if you are out for a long road trip through Maharashtra’s roads during monsoon, enjoying a plate of pav bhaji will just open your palates of flavours.
3. Bombay Duck Fry: Despite its quirky name, Bombay duck fry is not made with duck, but rather a tender fish with a mild sweetness. You can try this dish in any indoor restaurant and local spots in Maharashtra. This dish is prepared using the lizardfish coated with semolina and rice flour, then deep-fried to a crisp.
This gives you a perfect crunch outside with a soft and creamy fish inside. This is a must-try for seafood lovers, which can be enjoyed in a curry or grilled with a squeezed lemon on top of it.
4. Poha: If you are looking for a versatile and comforting dish, Poha can top the list, which is a staple breakfast option in Maharashtra, enjoyed by people from all walks of life. There are numerous variants of Poha that you can taste, such as Kanda Poha with onions, Batata Poha with potatoes, and Dadpe Poha with fresh coconut, green chillies, ginger, and lime juice, serving every palate.
Poha not only satisfies your hunger but also leads you to crave more. This is packed with flavours using peanuts, coconut, and fresh cilantro, making it a much-loved Maharashtrian dish.
5. Misal Pav: One of the most popular snacks of Maharashtra, Misal is essentially a spicy curry or gravy made with lentils and served with pav. While this is a staple breakfast preferred by locals, you can have it any time of the day.
This is a hearty and fulfilling meal with different versions, such as Puneri Misal and Kolhapuri Misal, a spicier version. Misal perfectly reflects the goodness of Maharashtrian cuisine.
6. Sol Kadhi: A refreshing and healthy beverage, Sol Kadhi is served as an appetiser and an integral part of daily meals in the Konkan and Goan regions. This drink is made with fresh coconut milk, indigenous kokum, coriander, and green chillies.
This beverage has a very pleasing pink colour which not only tastes good but aids in digestion and keep body cool. You must try this soulful drink when on a Maharashtra road trip.
7. Ragda Pattice: A famous and beloved food of Maharashtra that you must try is Ragda Pattice, which showcases the flavours of the state. This dish features crispy potato patties covered in curried dried peas and adorned with tangy chutneys, crunchy onions, juicy tomatoes, sev, and fresh cilantro.
Bursting with balanced spicy, sweet, and tangy flavours, Ragda Pattice is an irresistible gastronomic delight that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is an integral part of Maharashtra’s culinary landscape that you can’t miss.
8. Rassa: If you are looking for a non-vegetarian delight, Rassa can top the list in Maharashtra. Originating in Kolhapur, this dish features succulent meat of chicken or mutton and fish cooked in a fiery, spicy and aromatic gravy infused with the famed Kolhapuri chillies.
You can savour this flavourful delight with rice and flatbreads. There are variants of Rass, such as Matnacha Rassa or red curry mutton, tangy Tambde Rassa or red curry, or creamy Pandhra Rassa or yoghurt-based white curry, catering to every taste bud.
9. Puran Poli: To satisfy your sweet tooth, make sure you try Puran Poli, which is not just a treat but a journey to Maharashtra’s heart. Puran Poli is a sweet paratha stuffed with a heavy mix of jaggery, gram dal, flour, cardamom and ghee served with a spread of ghee or cool yoghurt. This is an authentic delicacy prepared during festivals and any auspicious occasions in Maharashtra.
10. Modak: When in Maharashtra, you must try Modak, the most famous traditional food, which is especially made during the grand Ganesh Chaturthi and is an integral part of offerings made to Lord Ganesha. Modaks are sweet dumplings filled with grated coconut and jaggery, while the outer part is made with rice flour.
These dumplings are steamed, giving you a soft and melt-in-your–mouth texture in their authentic version. It is believed Modaks are the favourite of the Elephant God, and it is a must-try sweet dish in Maharashtra.
11. Sreekhand: Imagine satisfying your sweet tooth with a dessert that is the star of Maharashtra’s culinary lineage. No wonder Sreekhand tops the list, a sweet creamy yoghurt with hints of cardamom and saffron, which are typically served with hot puris.
This is a delightful, sweet dish that is regular in weddings and festivities. You must experience the velvety texture and aromatic flavours of Sreekhand when on a trip to Maharashtra. You can also try the variants like Mango Sreekhand and Dry Fruit Sreekhand that add a tasty twist to this Maharashtrian classic.
To Conclude,
Maharashtra is a vast state, so is its culinary landscape. There are several dishes you can or must try when on a roadtrip in Maharashtra. From authentic curries, beverages, to fries and desserts, the Maharashtrian delights cater to every taste bud.
Exploring the best local Maharashtrian foods will not only be a feast for your palate but also for your memory. Take yourself on the journey of discovering the soul of Maharashtra in its local delicacies. Plan your trip with Saibaba Travels, a renowned car rental service provider in the state.
