Grand Trunk Road Food Festival at Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal

‘People don’t take trips. Trips take People.’

And one such “Food” oriented trip happened too soon. Seeing so many shows on TV, I’ve always wanted a road trip to GT road to learn and explore not just about food but, about places and their culture too. Well, that never happened but, look at the destiny. I get to taste and experience the food from GT road in Bhopal itself and how?! 😀

The Jehan Numa Palace,Bhopal is set to take the food lovers of Bhopal to an exotic culinary trail with The Grand Trunk Road food festival which has begins from 21st June 2019.

I was privileged enough to be invited to experience and have a glimpse of the food from Grand Trunk road, and that was something that brought sheer curiosity in me to learn more about it. The food festival celebrates cuisines from across the NH1 (Grand Trunk Road), bringing to you mouth-watering dishes from various cities that come along the way. Chef Sandeep who’s worked in ITC Hotels has specially flew down to Bhopal to host this festival.

“The Grand Trunk Road” or “GT” road as they say, is one of the Asia’s oldest and longest highway, spanning over an impressive length of 2500 Kms, running through parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The route spanning the Grand Trunk road, existed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, extending from the mouth of the Ganges to the north-western frontier of the Empire. It was then rebuilt by Sher Shah Suri, who renovated and extended the ancient Mauryan route in the 16th century and then was upgraded by the British, between 1833 and 1860. It now covers three countries and cuts across seven states which is nothing less than an experience. The culture along this route, and by extension the food, evolved by absorbing all the influences that travellers came to bear on it. The Grand Trunk Road Culinary Trail packs quite a palatable hit. It is long, varied and twisting, like the road itself, with pit-stops of prominent food hubs along the way.

After a quick tour of the food display and my never ending picture clicking session of the food, I finally started my hogging session.

Litti Chokha: This particular dish is the signature dish of Bihar and Biharis. If you have a Bihari friend, you must’ve tried Litti Chokha at least once in your life time. It is baked from wheat flour dough that is stuffed with a mixture of roasted gram flour or sattu, spices and lemon juice, and is served with chokha(sabzi). Chokha is made out of potato, brinjal and tomato and mixed with spices and onion.

One thing to add over here, Litti is often confused with Baati from Rajasthan but, it is a completely different dish in terms of taste, texture and preparation.

The ghee soaked Littis were warm and soft, just baked right in a Chulha. One small bite into the litti, and the roasted flour covering and the sattu (gram flour) based stuffing melted in the mouth, leaving me longing for more. I genuinely loved the mixed Chokha made of Potatoes and Brinjals, laced with tomatoes. The Litti tasted even better with the spicy Chokha and pieces of raw onion, adding a distinct character to the staple meal originating from Bihar.

Murg Pista Korma: A delicious Mughlai style chicken cooked in a mildly spiced, creamy pistachio sauce. The small chunks o chicken breasts had cheese filling in them which was the surprise element for me.

Galouti Kebab: The legend goes that the Nawab of Lucknow was toothless and since he couldn’t chew the khansamas came up with one of its kind of kebabs that would just melt-in-the-mouth. The rich Mughlai cuisine is filled with aromatic spices and still maintains the old charm. The mutton galouti kebab was covered with Roti and was made with minced mutton kheema that was mixed along with Indian spices. The soft and juicy kebab are to be relished with fresh Pudina chutney.

Dal Kandhari : Creamy Indian Black Lentil Dal. Its cooked in a slow tandoor for atleast twelve hours as to what i was told. Very similar to Dal Bukhara but both have a different feel.

Paan Gosht Biryani: Biryani, the quintessential Mughlai muse. Honestly, I have had Paan Ki Biryani before and that too it was vegetarian that blew my mind and I had been searching for something if that sort again in Bhopal. Seeing Paan ki Biryani here that to with mutton got my hopes really high. I wont lie but the biryani did not amaze me that much. It sure was tasty with aromatic spices and meat was tender and it had a hint of paan but the one I’ve had in the past at a different hotel was incredible and I haven’t found a biryani as competent as that one in particular.

Well, that’s not all! The Grand Trunk Road Food Festival offers some of the most authentic dishes from the region of Kabul, Amritsar, Delhi and Kolkata, get transported to the rustic farms of Amritsar as you gulp down a glass of lassi with Amritsar’s famous Crystal Chowk ka Murg Tikka. From Kabul’s barbecued temptation to the sumptuous secrets of the imperial Dastarkhans of Delhi and Agra. Shammi Kebab, Chaapli Kebab and Nalli Roganjosh to name a few. From Bengal’s famous delicacies like like Macher Jol, Radhuni diya masoor dal to Litti Chhokha and Banarasi chat from Bihar. From Kabul to Chittagong. It’s all here at one place!

Since it was a preview launch therefore, I had limited options to eat. But, I’m thinking to actually go and dine during the food festival (if time permits) to explore and experience more about The Grand Trunk Road.

If you want to taste the Authentic and delicious fare from the stretches of Grand Trunk road, Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal is the place to be. This festival does manage to encapsulate the soul of the GT Road. I recommend every Bhopali to take this culinary journey through Grand Trunk road, that is beautifully and conveniently put up by Jehan Numa Palace.

Till then, Happy Hogging!

Thank you, Mr. Thomas Shaji, Chef Sandeep and team Shahnama for a wonderful experience.

P.S. The author was invited and the reviews are personal.

Tastes are subjective and may differ from person to person.

The Grand Trunk Food Festival

Restaurant: Shahnama, Jehan Numa Palace

Address: Shamla Hills, Bhopal

Date: 21st June to 23rd June 2019

Price: INR 1300/- Plus Taxes.

Timing: 07:30 PM onwards

For Reservations Call: +91-755-2661100

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