Travel Guide

FOOD IN MORBI

Morbi, located in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat, is not far from the coast of the Arabian Sea. This should have encouraged fish­eating among the people of that region. Yet, the population here is predominantly vegetarian because of the influence of Jain vegetarianism as well as Vaishnabha cult. Food in Morbi mostly consists of staples such as chapatti and rice, vegetables, milk products such as curd, kadhi and buttermilk.

FOOD HABITS IN MORBI

However, one has to admit that food is more or less same all over Gujarat. Regular meals consist of roti, rice, kadhi or dal and a vegetable dish comprising of different vegetables or spinaches. However, due to different cooking techniques the flavor and taste vary from region to region. In Morbi, the cooking process is much influenced by Kathiawara style of cooking and consequently, it varies greatly from the food prepared in northern or southern part of Gujarat.

Bajara na rotia with curd or buttermilk used to be a much cherished food in Morbi. Bhakri and thepalas too were very common as staple food in this region. Farsans such as shev, ganthiya, dhokla, Khandvi, ragda, patra  etc are still very popular as side dishes. On occasions, they are also eaten as snacks. However, with passage of time, food habit of this region is also changing fast. Roti and phulkas made from whole wheat flour are gaining much popularity here. What is more, people have also developed a taste for fast and spicy food.

Interaction with the outside world has also introduced them to other cuisines and people have also grown a taste for that.

RESTAURENT CUISINE IN MORBI

The food habit of Morbi is amply reflected in the food sold in restaurants and other food outlets. While majority of them serves vegetarian dishes, not all of them concentrate on Gujarati food. There is also demand for South Indian, Punjabi and Rajasthani dishes. Some like the Shuv or Labh Restaurant also serves Chinese and Maxican dishes while Mughlai dishes can be available at Petals Restaurants.

At the same time, a survey of the city shops also shows the changing food habit of the region. While the traditional Guajarati sweets and namkin dishes are much in demand, here too one can feel a change in the taste. Chatkazz,famous for its Pav Bhaji, has now opened an outlet in Morbi. Along with pav bhaji, It now offers different non­Gujarati fares such as frankie, garlic bread, sandwich, burgers, different types of pizzas, French fries, cholle nans and even mocktails.

Besides that, good quality bakery products are also available at different outlets. Among them, we can name Monginis (on Ravapar Road; phone no: 02822­224­433, 02822­224331),New Mahesh Confectionary Stores (at 15, Sardar Road; phone no: 02822­224­732) and Muralidhar Stores (at 8, Kayaji Plot; phone no: 02822­224­032, 02822­220­286).

Then again, if you are fond of good quality chocolates and biscuits, you can visit Patel Enterprise on 8­A National Highway (phone no: 02822­224­816, 99793­83659).

FOR ICE CREAMS, YOU CAN VISIT THE FOLLOWING OUTLETS:

– Maheshwari Ice Creams near Vijay Cinema on Sardar Road; (Phone No: 02822­230­531, 99250­26401)
– Yash Ice Cream Parlous at 11, Slok Complex on Sanala Road; (Phone No: 99095­41408)
– Bony Enterprise at Ram Chowk on Sanala Road; (Phone No: 02822­224­357, 98250­64357)
– Yor Enterprise on Sanala Road opposite to the New Bus Stand; (Phone No: 02822­220­427, 98252­23201)

Therefore, we see that food in Morbi does not consist only of Gujarati fare; just like any other industrially developed town, it also offers a taste of international cuisine at its doorstep