Sagar Ratna | Authentic Marwari Cuisine in Oud Metha

Having been in Dubai for the last 26 years, this is something I was yet to try, and I am glad I did. Last week we had dinner at the all vegetarian Sagar Ratna restaurant in Oud Metha that serves authentic Marwari cuisine. Flaunting hues of white, blue and yellow throughout, the restaurant reflects it’s origins of the blue city of Jodhpur and Kesariya saffron yellow hues to add to their originality.

If you’ve never tried or don’t know what Marwari cuisine is, then lets find out…

Makhaniya Lassi

Marwari cuisine starts with Makhaniya Lassi. A cross between lassi and Shrikhand, this sweet and dense blend of yogurt is topped with creamy white butter. It is best sipped throughout the meal to balance any spicy flavours with a little sweet. Drink it all at once and you’ll not be able to eat anything after. I love how its topped with rose petals, pistachios and that creamy blob of white butter.

Raab ka Shorba

This warm and extremely comforting soup is made with sweet corn and topped with pure desi ghee. The soup tastes something between a kadhi and sweet corn soup, but either way, its so homely and brings feels of having food at villages in India.

Jodhpuri Pyaz Kachori

This was my ultimate favorite. A great accompaniment with tea and perfect for snacking, this kachori is not at all oily. It is in fact crunchy, adequately stuffed and tastes brilliant with green chutney on the side.

Chaap ke Sule

We actually couldn’t figure out what these are made of until Chef Sawai Singh told us it was soya. Super satisfying, almost like a non vegetarian kebabs, these come in a lovely tandoori coating and just like the kachori, go perfectly well with the green chutney.

Ulta Pulta Bharwaaan Mushroom

In one word: BRILLIANT. But these mushrooms deserve way more than just one word. One of the few new items on their menu, and a chefs special, these mushrooms are stuffed with a spicy mix of vegetables, papad and chillies. So good, you’ll want to eat all of these yourself.

Dhungar Paneer Tikka Masala

Not as sizzling, but definitely smoky, this paneer sabzi is slightly charred with charcoal to give it a smoked flavor. The paneer is fresh, soft and instantly melts in your mouth.

Did you know? Sagar Ratna makes all their Paneer in-house from fresh milk. You won’t find anything made from powdered or evaporated milk here.

Bikaneri Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi

I bet you’ve never eaten one of these! After all, who could imagine you can make a curry out of Gulab Jamuns, right? Lets clear the doubts first: no, it is not sweet, and yes, these are the actual dumplings used in the dessert, sans the part where they are dipped in the sugar syrup. Almost like malai koftas, but slightly firm, these are nice to try if you’re bored of the usual curries.

Papad Methi Dana ki Sabzi

But Sagar Ratna is not one of those places where you’ll get bored of the dishes. Take this one for example. Although quite a famous dish in Rajasthan, I had never heard about Papad ki Sabzi before. And for a papad fan like me to not know of the existence of this dish, the very idea of something so simple turning into an elaborate curry was quite a pleasant surprise for me. I loved the fenugreek and coriander seed gravy in which this was prepared and the soaked papads were just right.

My suggestion: it would be great to garish the dish with some crispy fried papad pieces

Smoky Dal Makhani

Have I ever told you how much I love dal? Well, put off all the dal varieties out there, this ones my fav. And I’m glad the guys at Sagar Ratna prepare it so well. Another one of the charcoal smoked dishes, this dal is simmered for hours before it is completely cooked. And the addition of white butter on top kicks the creamy quotient up a notch.

Tawa Roti

The perfect wheat phulka, this light and fluffy roti is absolutely weightless and pairs great with all their curries.

Jaributi Naan

I have never loved a naan so much in a long long time how much I loved this one. It was hot off the pan, had all the herbs including chilli flakes, and managed to create the right balance between crispy and soft. I was so impressed by these, I ate two (one on its own without any curry). If you’re low on appetite, I’d recommend you have this with their masala tea.

Did you know? Most of the ingredients at Sagar Ratna are flown in from India. This includes many of their spices, grains, as well as the pure desi ghee that they add so generously in all their dishes.

Masala Tea

You know I cant go to a restaurant that is famous for the tea they serve, and not try it. So I did, and I was instantly transported to chilly mornings in the small towns of Rajasthan where the milk tea they serve is exactly like this one. Honestly, if you’re looking to revive those memories from back home, this is the one place you should visit.

Bajra Gud Ghee ka Churma & Moong Dal Halwa

Both these desserts were so rustic I could smell the millet farms and jaggery fields on the plate. While the moong dal halwa was slightly oily for my liking, I really liked the churma. It felt like something commonly eaten by body builders after their workout to reenergize themselves, or by kids to sustain their health especially during harsh winters.

Sagar Ratna

Location: Opposite Sunrise Supermarket, Near Lamcy Plaza, Oud Metha, Dubai
Contact: 04 3795493

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