DHABA’S FOOD and THE GRAND TRUNK ROAD

In North India, Dhaba’s were traditionally opened to provide for the wearisome Punjabi truckies after a long day of delivering goods. Therefore Dhaba’s were affordable and cosy and they still are up to this date. Here the truckies will eat a typical Punjabi lunch with lassi (sweetened blended yogurt) or masala chai before taking an afternoon nap on bamboo cots known as ‘chaarpai’. With your tummy full of delicious Dhaba food and the smell of rotis fresh from the tandoor all around you, one can’t help the temptation to take a nap…Just a quick one of course! 🙂

 

The exact origins of Dhaba’s is somewhat vague. Some say that the first one popped up on The Grand Trunk Road (an ancient trading route) and others followed across highways throughout the 20^th century to serve the truckies. The GT Road connects Southern Asia with Central Asia. It is a stretch of 2,500 km starting in Chittagong, Bangladesh and ending in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Grand Trunk Road dates all the way back to Buddha’s birth and the rule of the Maurya Empire in the 3^rd century BC! Sher Shah Suri renovated and rebuilt The GT Road and finally completed the road in the 16^th century.

 

While originally used by the truckies, Dhabas have become very popular over the years due to their rustic vibe and delicious authentic Punjabi food. I have just returned from a holiday in Punjab and I totally enjoyed sampling Dhaba food all the way from Jammu and Kashmir to Amritsar and Ludhiana. We also found Dhabas along the treacherous 14 km climb of the mountain Vaishno Devi where I had a plate of steaming, soupy maggie!

 

Typical food found in Dhabas include Rajma Chawal (curried kidney beans and rice), Punjabi Kadhi, Dhaba Chicken, Egg Curry. Yet one of the true joys of a Dhaba in Punjab is savouring Sarson ka Saag (Slow cooked pureed spinach and mustard leaves) and Makki ki Roti (Indian bread made out of maize flour) topped with fresh butter melting in your mouth! 🙂  So if you ever happen to be travelling across North India, make sure you do a pit stop at a Dhaba!

 

See below recipes for some my favourite Dhaba food along with Masala Chai which you can find on my mom’s website –

 

Punjabi egg curry – https://www.merirasoi.co.uk/vegetarian/punjabi-egg-curry/

Tandoori garlic naan – https://www.merirasoi.co.uk/mydiary/tandoori-garlic-naan/

Masala Chai – https://www.merirasoi.co.uk/mydiary/indian-masala-chai/