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Chasing Dal Makhani and Quiet Moments in Patiala
Growing up watching DDLJ, Jab We Met, Shershaah, and more recently Dhurandhar, I always wanted to visit Punjab — not just for the rich culture, but even more for the incredible food scene.
By God's grace, I met a friend, Dr. Minni Singh (more about her in a bit), on one of my earlier treks to Tapovan. She has a habit of describing her profession simply as "main bachchon ko padhati hoon" — anyone hearing that for the first time would assume she's a school teacher, when in reality she's the Dean of Punjabi University in Patiala and a senior professor. We instantly connected and became close friends. I truly believe everyone should have a person like Minni in their life — someone full of life, yet completely grounded.
We had wanted to travel together for a long time, and a couple of our earlier plans fell through. Eventually, we joined a group trip to Kasol, which is how I ended up landing in Chandigarh first. In the days leading up to the trip, I was almost superstitious about it — riding my vehicle with extra caution, terrified that something might go wrong and the trip would get cancelled. I wanted to meet Minni and see Punjab that badly. The two weeks before the trip, all I did was watch video after video on where and what to eat in Patiala. I was only staying in Punjab a day before heading on to Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, but I counted down the days, hours, and minutes until my flight landed in Chandigarh.
The moment I landed, I felt a wave of peace and excitement — this trip was finally happening, and there was no going back. I stepped out to pleasant weather; Minni told me it had rained the previous day. The plan was simple: reach Patiala and head straight to a restaurant for dal makhani (my mouth is watering just typing this).
Minni came to pick me up, and just a few minutes from the airport, we were stopped by a man in an Innova. I assumed he wanted a lift, so Minni slowed down — but he flashed his headlights instead. We pulled over, and he got out and asked for our IDs. Since we were close to the border, I assumed it was a routine security check. He said he'd received intel about someone travelling from Jaipur. We showed our IDs and my boarding pass, proving I'd flown in from Bangalore, not Jaipur. He then asked if I'd gone through security screening and whether my bag had been checked in at the airport. I stayed calm, mostly because Minni was with me — but my overactive, Bollywood-fed imagination (thank you, Dhurandhar) briefly wondered if someone had slipped something into my bag.The conversation dragged on. We stepped out of the car, and the "officer" suddenly started apologizing, saying he was on a call with his senior and had sent our IDs off for verification. Minni, half-serious, said she'd call her lawyer . Just as things started feeling a little too intense, Minni burst out laughing and admitted it was all a prank — her friend Harshabab's idea. That chaotic, hilarious welcome became my official entry into Punjab, and it's a memory I'll carry forever.
I stayed at Minni's place on the university campus in Patiala. The campus is huge and beautiful, full of greenery, and her house is decorated so thoughtfully that every single piece feels intentional. I also got to meet her friend Mukesh, an absolute sweetheart. Minni took me around Adalat Market, where we shopped for phulkari dupattas and Punjabi juttis, and she even gave me a tutorial on how to tie a juda — one I still need more practice to master. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience.
I also got to visit a beautiful Gurudwara — the place was huge, serene, and utterly peaceful. The moment I stepped in, I felt completely at ease; the space was so large that we could sit inside comfortably for as long as we wanted. There was a beautiful Sarovar with a few fish swimming in it, and it was simply stunning to sit by. We walked through the langar hall as well, and Minni explained the significance of the place. Of everything, the Sarovar stayed with me the most — there was something about just sitting there that made me feel entirely at peace.
And then there's the food. Being a foodie, Punjab felt like heaven in every sense. I genuinely wished I could live there forever and eat everything in sight. I feasted on dal makhani, lassi, parathas, and paneer dishes — I honestly can't pick a favourite. I've never had paneer taste as good anywhere else in India as it did in Punjab. I also tried an Amritsari kulcha for the first time, and it melted in my mouth; there was a burst of flavours with every bite. I was told the "original" experience is best had in Amritsar itself, but for a first-timer, this was already spectacular. Then there was the kheer from Verka — I finished two tubs right after breakfast, and it was mind-blowing: creamy, delicately textured, and not overly sweet. It genuinely felt like a little trip to heaven.
I already know I have to go back — next time in winter, for my own DDLJ moment among the sarson ke khet, with a plate of sarson da saag and makki di roti waiting for me. But honestly, it won't just be the food pulling me back. A big part of it is Minni — I'm so grateful for her, for hosting me, and for staying patient with me through the entire trip without ever losing her cool once. She was an absolute sweetheart to travel with, and that made everything about this trip feel easier and warmer.
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