Imagine waking up and trying mutton for breakfast. You could belong to any part of India, I’d beg to differ that this is how you usually break your fast. Why? Because we aren’t Nawabs are we? Well, that shouldn’t stop you from trying a delectable recipe of Nalli Nihari at least once in life. So, if you’re typing ‘Nalli Nihari near me’ on Google for some lip-smacking breakfast, here are all the places to head to.
A slow-cooked mutton recipe to relish first thing in the morning is how we can sum up what this really is! While the Mughal invaded India and change the course of history forever, one part of it also includes what Indians eat.
One such inclusion is this breakfast meal that you can find in Indian cities like Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi, and more. It was surprising to find this in Jaipur, but a place that is known for it’s Laal Maas should also have traces of Nalli Nihari. Shouldn’t it?
Nalli Nihari origin
Excerpts from a YouTube video shared by the owner of Magic Miles in Jaipur helped me understand the origin of this recipe in-depth. He explained how a Mughlai dish originally meant for laborers became a modern culinary jewel.
The recipe was formulated as a stew for early morning breakfast. It is believed that after the first namaz of the day, Fajr, the Nawabs, used to break their fast with Nihari.
Since the term Nihari comes from the Arabic word Nihar (dawn), the name represents that this is a breakfast meal. Historically, laborers used to prepare this recipe and let it slow cook overnight. In the morning, they would have a meal prepared to have for breakfast or lunch to follow an undisrupted work schedule.
Nalli Nihari represents a Mutton Shank Stew that takes at least 4 to 6 hours to prepare. Nalli refers to mutton shank or the bones that are filled with marrow. Cooked in large pots, this recipe perfectly blends whole spices.
Nalli nihari in Jaipur
Here are some of the places to try this mutton delicacy in Jaipur:
1. Islami Kallu Hotel
One of the oldest hotels serving the dish is the Islami Kallu Hotel at Ramganj Bazaar. You might not get the perfect ambiance or décor, but the Nalli Nihari served here is a winner. A half plate of Nihari, offering two pieces of mutton shank, would cost you around INR 200.
2. MM Khan
MM Khan is popularly known as the first restaurant to serve Mughlai dishes to the people of Jaipur. This restaurant is also located at Ramganj Bazaar; a few shops away from the Islami Kallu Hotel.
You will see two MM Khan hotels next to each other. I would recommend you to choose the older one if you’re eating at either. A half plate of Nihari would cost INR 200, and the Khameeri Roti costs INR 8 per piece.
When I tried Nalli Nihari at Jaipur for the first time, this is where I came. While I had planned to try Islami Kallu Hotel, it was closed for renovation. My hunger and expectations were perfectly met by M M Khan.
3. Muhammadi Palace
A popular restaurant in Jaipur that lets you savor Mughlai flavors is Muhammadi Palace, located near Chandpole. They are famous for Nalli Nihari, Haleem, Biriyani. But my favorite from this place is the chicken fry. A full plate of Nalli Nihari would cost you around INR 520.
4. Magic Miles
This restaurant is young but has recently gained much popularity for its dishes. Specifically, the Nalli Nihari served here differs significantly from the other restaurants.
You can enjoy a slightly modified Nihari recipe with the essence of its originality blended in. This restaurant is located at Queens Road, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur. A half plate of Nalli Nihari would cost you INR 450, offering 4 pieces of mutton shank.
My experience so far
I had the idea of trying Nalli Nihari early in the morning and visited MM Khan, the old one. It was around 9:30 a.m. IST, and they were open to serve Nalli Nihari. Even though they were just getting ready for the day, I ordered a half-plate Nalli Nihari and three Khameeri roti.
To my utter amazement, the Nihari seemed quite spicy at first glance, garnished with ginger and chilies. Honestly, my tastebuds were stunned when I took the first bite of the meat.
It was perfectly cooked with a balanced spice content, and the meat was so tender. Khameeri roti is the perfect accompaniment for Nalli Nihari as it absorbs the stew and enhances the flavors differently.
I would suggest tearing a piece of the roti (Bread), squeezing a little lemon on it, and then dipping it in the stew. When it comes to the stew, the threads of mutton make the Nihari taste heavenly.
It gives a rich feeling of the spices perfectly absorbed by the meat after 4-6 hours of cooking. The best part of the dish was the bone marrow, which was juicy and filled with flavors of ghee and whole spices.
Final thoughts
This is an unfulfilled experience, as I love various delicacies such as Nalli Nihari. I have yet to try the dish in the other three spots mentioned here.
I would love to hear from you if you have tried Nalli Nihari in any of these places. So, my fellow foodies, please share your experiences in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Nalli Nihari made of?
It is made of mutton or goat meat and consumed for breakfast.
2. Which city is famous for nihari?
Delhi, Bhopal, and Lucknow serve classic recipes of Nihari.
3. Which part of goat is Nalli Nihari?
Goat shank meat is used for preparing Nihari.
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