What to eat in Ujjain and Indore during the Simhastha 2028—poha-jalebi, dal bafla, bhutte ka kees and summer coolers—plus food safety in the heat.
Malwa is famous across India for its food. Ujjain and nearby Indore offer hearty vegetarian dishes, sweet-and-spicy snacks and some of the country's best street food. Here's what to try, and how to eat safely in the heat.
Must-try Malwa food
- Poha-jalebi: the classic Malwa breakfast. Steamed flattened rice with onion, peanuts, sev and a squeeze of lemon, eaten with hot jalebi.
- Dal bafla: Malwa's take on dal-baati. Wheat dumplings boiled, then baked and soaked in ghee, served with dal and chutney.
- Bhutte ka kees: grated corn cooked with milk and spices.
- Sabudana khichdi: tapioca pearls with peanuts, also a fasting food.
- Kachori and samosa, with tangy chutneys.
- Sweets: mawa bati, malpua, rabdi and shrikhand.
- Namkeen and sev: Malwa's crunchy savoury snacks, perfect to take home.
Indore's food streets
If you pass through Indore, visit Sarafa Bazaar. By day it is a jewellery market; after dark it becomes a famous street-food market. 56 Dukan is another popular food street.
Summer coolers
In the April–May heat, look for:
- Chhaas (buttermilk) and lassi
- Nimbu pani and shikanji
- Aam panna, made with raw mango
- Sugarcane juice, from clean, busy stalls only
- Kulfi and falooda
Near the temples
The Mahakal and Ram Ghat areas have many vegetarian bhojanalayas and thali restaurants. During the Simhastha, akharas and ashrams run bhandaras (free meals). Sit in line, eat what is served and don't waste food.
Food safety in the heat
- Eat freshly cooked, hot food at busy places.
- Drink sealed bottled or boiled water.
- Avoid cut fruit, uncovered sweets and ice from unknown sources.
- Don't eat heavy fried food before going out in the heat.
- Carry ORS and basic stomach medicine.
Meals in our packages
Our Luxury Camp and AC Camp stays serve fresh vegetarian meals, with ORS and drinking water on hand. See our Ujjain packages.
By KMII Travel Desk · Updated 30 Sep 2026
