Fly to Bhuj. Drive to Kutch. Then to Mandvi. What is the noise about Kutchi Dabeli ?

Story of Kutchi Dabeli - How Dabeli was invented

A typical Gujrati street food/chaat which has millions of fans all over the world especially huge fan following in India. Sweet-Spicy mashed potatoes some dryfruits "pressed" between "double roti" or "paav".. Yes you are right it is "KUTCHI DABELI".

Do you know where it comes from? or who invented it? 

Five decades ago that is in 1964 two friends "Keshavji Gabha" and " Mohanbhai Nathbava" a resident of "MANDVI, KUTCH" thoght of doing a buinesiness and started selling double roti (paav) which had spicy sukha(dry) aloo subzi pressed in between which means"DABELI" in Gujrati language.Then it was sold for 1 anna or 6 paisa. Now  the legacy is run by further generations. Double roti or paav came there with Persian sailors and merchants.

Mandvi has always been a popular ship building yard. Where merchants from Dubai, Africa, Malabar coast use to come. DABELI got popular among people and later various chutney's (sauces), other spices, dry fruits sev onions were added and that's how our favourite "KUTCHI DABELI" that we eat with joy was invented. It is not "Kacchi" but "KUTCHI" that is origin of KUTCH, GUJRAT. 

There are many versions of it and each dabeli  stall wala has his own unique  way of making it.. like in  Mumbai there "Kapil's famous dancing dabeli" he makes 80 dabeli's in just 10 mins (Old Nagards, Andheri East) and many more such all around INDIA.

Do you know in KUTCH, total worth of R.s 4.50 crore of dabeli is consumed a month.When you visit Kutch do try it and also take back dabeli masala for friends and family you will get it anywhere but only in Kutch.

Best Dabeli Place Recommendations-

Binaharif Dabeli Bhuj - S.T. bus stand road Municipal, shop no- 32,Bhuj, Gujrat- 370001

Nukkadwala -  Ground floor, Vatika Business park, Vatika City,. Block W, Sector 49, Gurugram, Haryana 122101

Aditya kutchi dabeli- Center Street, Pune Camp- 411001

Lesson learned:- Just go with your business idea it may sound ordinary but you never know it may become world popular one day..

Thank you for reading!! Do let me know you favorite Dabeli place in comments.

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-Priya Modha (pricooked tales)