Where to find Gujarati food in Dresden (and what to cook when you can't)
A short, honest guide to eating Gujarati in Dresden — the grocers, the staples, and a lazy-evening khichdi that works on a Sunday.
You won’t find a Kathiyawadi thali around the corner. But a good Gujarati kitchen is more about the pantry than the neighbourhood, and Dresden’s pantry is better than it looks.
The grocers
- Indian/Asian stores near Hauptbahnhof carry toor dal, moong dal, rice, chapati atta, hing, garam masala, chhundo-style achaar, and the occasional Parle-G when the shipment is kind.
- Rewe and Kaufland cover vegetables, yoghurt (curd), paneer-friendly substitutes, and unexpectedly good tomatoes in summer.
- Asian markets in Neustadt stock curry leaves, green chillies, coriander in bunches, and sometimes fresh methi.
What to stock
A minimal Gujarati pantry:
- Toor dal, moong dal, chana dal
- Basmati rice
- Chapati atta
- Mustard seeds, cumin, hing, turmeric, red chilli, coriander powder, garam masala
- Jaggery (gur) — travel in your suitcase if you can
- Tamarind paste
- Achaar (any brand that makes you smile)
A Sunday-evening khichdi
When you’re tired and German grey, khichdi is the only correct answer.
- Rinse 1 cup rice and 1/2 cup moong dal together. Add 3 cups water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric. Pressure cook 3 whistles, or simmer covered 25 minutes.
- In a small pan, heat 2 tbsp ghee. Add 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, a pinch of hing, a dried red chilli, and a few curry leaves if you have them. Pour over the khichdi.
- Serve with plain yoghurt, achaar, and if you have it, a spoon of ghee on top.
It takes thirty minutes and it tastes like home.
Eating out
Dresden has a few Indian restaurants. Some are fine. None of them are Gujarati. The best meals still happen at potlucks — and every time we host one, someone brings a dish nobody expected. If you’d like to come to the next one, find us on Instagram.