wazwan Guide 5 min read

Top 5 Best Wazwan Dishes You Must Try

WazwanWay Team June 23, 2026

Top 5 Best Wazwan Dishes You Must Try

If you are visiting a restaurant in Srinagar and cannot commit to a full 36-course feast, you need to know what to prioritize on your Trami. Here is our curated list of the top 5 absolute best Wazwan dishes that capture the soul of Kashmiri cuisine.

1. Gushtaba (The Dish of Kings)

Gushtaba is a masterpiece of texture. These large, spongy mutton meatballs are hand-pounded for hours with animal fat until they become incredibly velvety. They are cooked in a mildly spiced, tangy yogurt gravy (yakhni) flavored with green cardamom and dried ginger. It is rich, soothing, and traditionally the last savory dish served in a Wazwan.

2. Tabak Maaz (Crispy Ribs)

Think of Tabak Maaz as the Kashmiri version of premium fried ribs. Mutton ribs are first slow-braised in milk, garlic, and aniseed until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. Then, just before serving, they are shallow-fried in pure ghee until the outer layer of fat crisps into a golden shell. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the melt-in-the-mouth interior is unforgettable.

3. Rogan Josh (The Red Classic)

This is the dish that put Kashmiri food on the global map, but the authentic version is far superior to the heavy tomato-based curries served elsewhere. Authentic Rogan Josh gets its deep red color from mawal (cockscomb) flowers and Kashmiri chilies. The gravy is intensely aromatic, heavy on fennel (saunf) and dried ginger (soonth), with a glistening layer of oil (rogan) floating on top.

4. Rista (Fiery Meatballs)

Like Gushtaba, Rista consists of hand-pounded meatballs, but they are smaller and served in a fiery red, saffron-infused gravy. The gravy is deeply flavored with shallots (praan) and Kashmiri red chilies. It delivers a sharp, aromatic heat that completely coats the rice.

5. Daniwal Korma (Coriander Lamb)

Often overshadowed by the red curries, Daniwal Korma is a hidden gem. Tender chunks of lamb are cooked in a yogurt-based gravy that is heavily garnished with fresh coriander (daniwal). It is tangy, bright, and offers a refreshing flavor break from the heavier spices of the other dishes.

Honorable Mention: If you want a vegetable side, always order Dum Aloo, baby potatoes slow-cooked in a red yogurt gravy.