Jaipur's Chaura Rasta and the walled-city (Chardiwari) area are known the world over for their grand markets and traditional cuisine. Alongside fine shopping, every market here carries the aroma of some special delicacy that people have preserved from one generation to the next. While the city is home to hundreds of shops selling kachoris, where people savour these spicy treats, there are a few kachoris whose taste draws visitors from far and wide. One such famous spot is Rashtriya Mishthan Bhandar, located at Ajmeri Gate in the walled-city area, renowned across Jaipur for its special jeeman kachori.
In a conversation, Mahesh Agarwal, who runs Rashtriya Mishthan Bhandar, explained that this unique jeeman kachori was first introduced in the year 1951 by his grandfather, Madanlal Agarwal. To begin with, he added it to the menu of the Rajasthani jyonar, or jeeman. After that, the kachori became hugely popular at weddings and other functions in Jaipur. Gradually, this special round kachori began to be made at the shop as well. Today, even after more than 70 years have passed, its taste remains exactly as it was in the beginning.
People Still Adore This 70-Year-Old Flavour
Mahesh Agarwal says that while Gujarati kachori is quite famous as a round-shaped kachori, his special kachori is prepared in an entirely different manner. To make it, the lentils (dal) are first soaked for a full 12 hours, so that the flavour of the spices seeps thoroughly into them. The biggest highlight of this kachori is the 18 types of whole spices used in it, which give it its distinctive and remarkable taste.
He explained that the biggest difference between an ordinary kachori and this round jeeman kachori lies in its spice mix. The filling inside is dry, which is why this kachori does not spoil for 1 to 2 days. This is precisely why people travel from far away to taste it. Large numbers of orders also come in for this kachori during occasions such as weddings. Apart from the kachori, Rashtriya Mishthan Bhandar is also well known for its excellent laddoos and sweets.
The Kachori's Price Rose From One Anna to 22 Rupees
Mahesh Agarwal says that today his third generation is carrying forward this legacy of taste. As for the price, in his grandfather's time the kachori cost just 1 anna. Back in that era, if a customer bought kachoris worth 4 annas, one kachori was given free. Today, this special jeeman kachori is priced at 22 rupees, which customers consider entirely fair given its taste. He noted that in all of Jaipur, this kind of jeeman kachori is made only at his shop. That is why even now many customers come here who have been savouring this kachori since the days of his grandfather and father.
