Punjabi Food & Menu Vocabulary

Punjab is famous for its food. Here's what you need to know to order confidently, understand a Punjabi menu, and talk about food with locals.

Iconic Punjabi Dishes

Gurmukhi	Romanised	What it is
ਸਰ੍ਹੋਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਗ ਅਤੇ ਮੱਕੀ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ	Sarho da saag te makki di roti	Mustard greens with corn flatbread — the iconic Punjabi winter dish
ਦਾਲ ਮੱਖਣੀ	Daal Makhni	Black lentils slow-cooked with butter and cream
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰੀ ਕੁਲਚਾ	Amritsari Kulcha	Stuffed leavened bread baked in a tandoor — specialty of Amritsar
ਛੋਲੇ	Chole	Spiced chickpea curry — served with kulcha or bhature
ਲੱਸੀ	Lassi	Yoghurt drink — sweet (meethi) or salty (namkeen)
ਪਰੌਂਠਾ	Parautha	Layered flatbread stuffed with potato, radish, or onion
ਤੰਦੂਰੀ ਚਿਕਨ	Tandoori Chicken	Marinated chicken cooked in a clay oven
ਮੱਛੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰੀ	Macchi Amritsari	Battered fried fish — famous street food of Amritsar