Kashmiri Street Food & Gaer Gouji & Winter Special Recipe Water Chestnut

Kashmir Food Fusion

Video Stats

Host: Kashmir Food Fusion
Published: Aug 6, 2025
Views: 8.1k

Recipe Overview

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Difficulty: Beginner
Serves: 2

Overview

Garguj, a beloved street food from Kashmir, is a delightful treat that pairs perfectly with evening tea. This dish is made from water chestnuts, which are first cleaned and then coated in a flavorful batter. The batter is a simple mix of rice flour, salt, cumin seeds, and spices, creating a crispy exterior when fried. The use of mustard oil for frying adds a distinct flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

One of the unique aspects of making Garguj is the option to add food coloring to the batter, giving it that vibrant street food appearance. However, for those who prefer a healthier option, the food color can be omitted without compromising the taste. The key is to achieve the right batter consistency, ensuring it’s neither too runny nor too thick.

Once fried, Garguj is served hot, often garnished with a mixture of salt and red chili powder, which elevates its flavor profile. This dish is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly satisfying, making it a perfect snack for gatherings or a cozy evening at home. Whether you’re a fan of street food or looking to try something new, Garguj is a must-try recipe that brings a taste of Kashmir to your kitchen.

Recipe Details

Steps & Tips

1
00:24

Wash the Garguj properly to remove dust.

01:09

Tip: Avoid food color for health, but use it if you want the market look.

01:12

Tip: Add water gradually to achieve the right batter consistency.

2
01:19

Add rice flour gradually until the batter is not too runny or thick.

3
01:35

Heat mustard oil in a pan for deep frying.

4
01:42

Mix rice flour, salt, cumin seeds, red chili, turmeric, and food color with water to make a batter.

5
01:44

Add the batter into hot oil, either one by one or in batches.

6
02:01

Take out the fried dough pieces once they are properly fried.

02:10

Tip: Fry on medium or high heat; there's no need to fry on low flame.

7
02:15

Place fried pieces on a tissue to absorb excess oil.

02:17

Tip: Use tissue to absorb extra oil after frying.

8
02:23

Garnish the fried Garguj and prepare a mixture of salt and red chili powder for serving.

02:36

Tip: Sprinkle salt and red chili powder on top to enhance flavor.

Ingredients

Serves: 2
Salt1 tsp
Cumin Seeds1 tsp
Red Chilli1 tsp
Turmeric1/2 tsp
Food Colour
Mustard Oilfor frying
Water

Skill Level

Skill Level Beginner
Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Frequently asked questions

Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.

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Interesting Tidbits

  • Garguj is a traditional Kashmiri street food made from water chestnuts.
  • The batter for Garguj typically includes rice flour, salt, cumin seeds, and spices.
  • Mustard oil is commonly used for deep frying Garguj to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Food color can be added to the batter to mimic the vibrant color found in street food.