Dear reader, don’t get agitated by the word ‘extinct’, we don’t mean vanished from this earth! We had to exaggerate to make a point that these traditional Marathi dishes have vanished from the commercial kitchens and restaurants. We got all excited the moment we heard dishes like Upvas Thalipith, Tikhat Mithacha Sanja, Piyush, Ghosalyachi Bhaji, Palak Puri, Bhoplyache Gharge, Dahi Dhapate. All these traditional dishes are being served at Khadadi restaurant in Sadashiv Peth Pune. It is probably the only thriving and flourishing eatery in Pune serving these dishes. These Marathi dishes are not really found in any other restaurant in Pune and only you’ll find in Marathi household kitchens!
The moment we got to know about this gem of a place, we immediately had to visit. Mr. Sachin and his wife Mrs. Shreya, are running Khadadi for the past 9 years. The sole aim for running this Marathi eatery in Pune is to keep the Maharashtrian culinary gems like Tikhat Mithcha Sanja, Piyush, Bhoplyache Gharge, etc alive!
Upvas Thalipith is an instant hit since it comes with a dollop white butter (Loni in Marathi) and not the heavily processed salted butter from the market. If regular Thalipith made of Bhajani flour is your favorite, then the same Loni dollop comes with it as well. Tikhat Mithacha Sanja, a staple for healthy evening snacking during our childhood is heavenly and it comes topped with homely sev and frshly grated coconut. Take a bite of it with coconut chutney, it is pure bliss. The tang of the buttermilk in which it is cooked is prevalent, and you want it more in your evening snack!
The most noteworthy dish on their menu is the simplest one. Though it is not really a traditional Marathi dish, but Bread Loni Sakhar has tremendous amount of nostalgia attached with it! We bet you won’t find this simple divine delicacy anywhere else in this world! Pair it with a cup of hot chai and your nostalgia moment is all set.
Dahi Dhapate is another wholesome snacking dish from Maharashtra that you rarely find in restaurants nowadays. Made with mix of Jowar, Wheat and Besan flour, the freshly roasted hot Dhapate with cold curd is a healthy dish with yumm flavours. Palak Puri and Ghosalyachi Bhaji are two more dishes on their menu which are apt for evening snacking. Sip chai and snack on these Marathi fried delicacies on a weekend evening to find pure bliss. The Mix Bhaji Platter on their menu is just so apt for a group of 4-5 with pakodas made from onion, potato, Moong, Ghosale, Mirchi, Palak, etc! One unique mix platter nobody would mind munching on at any given time of the day.
Among other Marathi beverages, we opted for Piyush because this probably is the only place where you get it. A refreshing drink made from hung curd, saffron, dryfruits, Ilaichi and nutmeg, Piyush used to be a favorite among Punekars. But it almost got extinct when even households stopped making it. Khadadi is reviving Piyush in Pune!
Bhoplyache Gharge is a gem of Marathi dish that you’ll now find only in the kitchens maximum once a year. Kids don’t really enjoy red pumpkin on its own. But these sweet puris made with flour mixed with mashed red pumpkin is an instant hit when served with a dollop of ghee on it!
Whether you have heard of these Marathi dishes or not, you must visit Khadadi to indulge into these traditional dishes which are a rarity in Pune! It is an interesting question how Marathi dishes are a rarity in a city like Pune. But let’s not get into that. For now let’s celebrate the versatile Marathi cuisine and visit Khadadi in Sadashiv Peth today!
Address: Khadadi, Opp Bharat Natya Mandir, Limayewadi, Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411030.
Contact: 9890121929
