Gujaratis don’t just love food — they celebrate it! If there’s one thing that unites every Gujarati, from Ahmedabad to Kutch, it’s their obsession with good food. The moment you land in Gujarat, you’ll notice one thing—food stalls everywhere, buzzing with people, plates full of chatpata, crispy, spicy and utterly delicious snacks.
And the best part is that every city has its own speciality that has travelled to all the parts of Gujarat. In short, Gujarati street food is an emotion and an experience in itself.
The sound of vendors calling out orders, the smell of sizzling spices in the air, and that first bite of something hot and fresh—it’s something every foodie needs to experience at least once.
So, if you’re ready to eat like a true Gujarati, let’s take a flavourful ride through Gujarat’s streets and explore these must-try delights!
Table of Contents
1. Jalebi-Fafda
- Location: Most popular in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot
- Taste: Crunchy, slightly salty fafda with sweet, juicy jalebi
- Spice Level: 🌶️ (for the chutney)
You must have heard Jethalal from TMKOC talking about jalebi-fafda. Well, it’s not just him—it’s every Gujarati ever. Jalebi-fafda might be just a snack for you but not for Gujjus. Because for Gujaratis, it’s a Sunday morning ritual.
Imagine fresh, crispy gram flour fafda, served with kachumber (chopped salad) and kadhi chutney, followed by hot jalebi that melts in your mouth. That perfect balance of crunchy, tangy and sweet is what makes Gujaratis swear by this combo.
If you’re in Gujarat on a Sunday morning, just follow the crowd to the busiest fafda-jalebi stall. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see people standing in line, eagerly waiting for their plates.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to have it on a Sunday, go early around 6:30 to 7:00 am. Most vendors go sold out after 9 am or 10 am.
2. Khaman
- Location: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat
- Taste: Light, spongy, mildly tangy with a hint of sweetness
- Spice Level: 🌶️
If Gujarat had to pick a national dish, khaman would be a top contender. It’s that one snack you’ll find everywhere—be it breakfast or tea time in the evening. Khaman is made from gram flour. It is steamed to perfection and then tempered with mustard seeds, green chillies and curry leaves. It’s light and pairs perfectly with spicy green chutney
Pro tip: Eat it fresh in the shop. Waiting for your khaman to arrive on your plate and then having it standing there right there is an experience in itself.
3. Dhokla
- Location: Found all over Gujarat, especially Ahmedabad
- Taste: Mildly tangy, slightly sweet
- Spice Level: 🌶️
Many people confuse khaman and dhokla, but they’re different! There are two types of dhoklas, one that is made from rice and lentils and another which is made from chickpea flour. However, both are fermented giving it a firmer texture compared to khaman. Pair it with spicy chutney and you have a perfect, light yet tasty snack!
Pro tip: Look for “live dhokla” near you. Because that’s what they call it in Gujarat.
4. Dabeli
- Location: Kutch, Bhuj and now all over Gujarat
- Taste: Spicy, tangy, slightly sweet
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
If you think vada pav is good, wait until you try dabeli. Born in Kutch, this dish is made with a spicy mashed potato filling, stuffed inside a buttered pav and topped with sev, pomegranate seeds and roasted peanuts. Every bite is soft, crunchy, spicy and sweet—making it a flavour bomb.
Pro tip: Do not ask the Dabeli wale Bhaiyaa to make it spicy😜
5. Locho
- Location: Surat
- Taste: Soft, spicy, chatpata, slightly tangy
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Locho wasn’t supposed to exist—it was a happy accident. The story goes that a Surati cook was preparing khaman, but he miscalculated the proportions of water and steaming time. Instead of turning into firm, spongy khaman, the batter remained soft and lumpy. Instead of throwing it away, he experimented—adding spices, butter, and sev—and locho was born!
It’s topped with melted butter, spicy red masala, crunchy sev, chopped onions and a side of tangy chutney. Suratis take their locho seriously. You can easily find it at food stalls in Surat. It is also available in other parts of Gujarat but this is the place where it is the most famous. If you’re ever in Surat, this is a must-try dish.
Pro Tip: Don’t tell any Surati you’re trying Schezwan or cheesy locho first—they will judge you. According to them, nothing beats the authentic locho and honestly, they might be right😆
6. Dal Vada
- Location: Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar
- Taste: Crispy, warm, and packed with flavour
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Made from chana dal, ginger and green chillies, dal wadas are the official snack of Gujarat’s monsoon season. Imagine it’s raining, you’re drenched and just when you think the day couldn’t get worse, you spot a dal vada stall. The oil is sizzling, the smell is unreal and before you know it, you’re standing there with a plate of hot, crispy dal vadas in one hand and a fried chilli in the other. One bite and boom—crunchy, spicy, warm.
Pro tip: If it’s raining, get ready to wait in a long line for Dal Vada—because when it pours, every Gujju is out there for a plate or two.
7. Khandvi
- Location: Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara
- Taste: Smooth, slightly tangy, mildly spiced
- Spice Level: 🌶️
We challenge you — Try eating Khandvi without letting it slip from your hands. Most Gujaratis prefer making it at home but you can find it at namkeen (Gujjus call it “farsan”) shops too. Just one bite in and oh-boy it just vanishes in your mouth!
It’s not deep-fried, there’s no extra oil—and very halka-phulka, yet so satisfying! You will begin wondering how street food can be so healthy while being so tasty. Its that food you can have without feeling guilty.
Pro tip : Befriend a Gujju and talk about how much you love khandvi. You will be invited to dinner the very next day.
8. Ghughra
- Location: Rajkot, Jamnagar
- Taste: Spicy, crunchy and rich
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Ever bitten into something so good that you instantly close your eyes and go, “Arre wah!”? That’s ghughra for you! These little golden, crispy crescents are stuffed with sweet coconut, crunchy dry fruits and just the right amount of sugar, making them the ultimate festive treat.
Think of them as gujju-approved samosas—but instead of spicy aloo, you get a filling that’s so rich and delicious, you’ll wonder why they don’t sell these everywhere, all the time. So next time you spot fresh ghughra, grab a plate and thank us later!
Pro tip: Want to start a foodie war? Just ask someone from Rajkot and Jamnagar who makes the best Ghughra—then sit back and enjoy the debate.
9. Khichu
- Location: Predominantly in Vadodara, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar
- Taste: Soft, warm and lightly spiced
- Spice Level: 🌶️
You know those days when you just want something warm, simple, and straight-up comforting? That’s khichu for you—soft, steamy rice flour dough, drizzled with groundnut oil and red chili powder for that extra punch. It’s the kind of snack that warms your soul with every bite.
Gujaratis love their “farsan” (like sweets, farsan is a whole different category of food for gujjus. Khadvi, khaman, dhokla etc falls under farsan) but ask any true-blue foodie and they’ll tell you—khichu hits differently. It’s so soft, you scoop it up with your fingers and that slight kick of spice at the end? Some say it was originally made as a dough for papads, but it turned out too tasty to not eat as is—and honestly, we’re grateful for that mistake! If you haven’t tried khichu yet, do yourself a favour—find a stall, grab a hot plate and enjoy the warmest, simplest joy of Gujarati food!
Pro Tip: Be careful as they serve it too hot. Let it cool for a bit. Otherwise, you might end up burning your tongue.
10. Ajay’s Burger & Cold Coffee
- Location: All over Gujarat
- Taste: Sweet or savoury with a flaky texture
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Yeah, we know burgers aren’t Gujarati. But step into Ajay’s Cafe, take a bite of their chatpata, desi-style burger and you’ll see why it feels right at home here. This isn’t your typical plain burger with lettuce and cheese—this one is spicy, loaded with masala, packed with crunchy veggies and dripping with sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s like Vada Pav’s long-lost cousin who went abroad but never forgot its roots.
And what’s the perfect partner for this desi burger? A glass of the best cold coffee ever . It’s sweet, frothy and ice-cold—the kind that you exactly need after a long day of exploring Gujarat’s street food scene.
Pro tip: Call your Gujju friends and visit Ajay’s cafe with them. They will help you order the best burger. Plus, Ajay’s cafe has a vibe and talking to your friend with that cold coffee and burger is an experience you can’t miss.
Conclusion
If you’re in Gujarat, try the must-have dishes mentioned in this blog and your soul will thank you for it. The moment you bite into that crispy jalebi-fafda on a Sunday morning or have a plate of soft khaman, dhokla or locho, you’ll realise that Gujarat isn’t just about garba and business—it’s also about street food.
But let’s be real—after all that spice, your taste buds might need a little break. That’s when you can head to Ajay’s Cafe, order cold coffee and just sit back and relax. If you are hungry, you can even order a burger and just enjoy the vibe.
So a message from a foodie to a foodie—come hungry, eat everything and most importantly, enjoy every bite! Majja aavshe! 😋
