Dhaba
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Dhaba is the name given to roadside restaurants in India. They are situated on highways and generally serve local cuisine, and also serve as truck stops.[1] They are most commonly found next to petrol stations, and most are open 24 hours a day. Since many Indian truck drivers are of Punjabi descent, and Punjabi food and music is quite popular throughout India, the word dhaba has come to represent any restaurant that serves Punjabi food, especially the heavily spiced and fried Punjabi fare preferred by many truck drivers.
The word has come to represent sub-continental cuisine so much that many Indian restaurants in Europe and America have adopted it as a part of the name.
Dhabas were characterized by mud structures and cots to sit upon (called Charpai) while eating. A wooden plank would be placed across the width of the cot on which to place the dishes. With time, the cots were replaced by tables. The food is typically inexpensive and has a 'homemade' feel to it.
Etymology
The word has been alleged in folk etymology to stem from dabba, m., box, lunch box, tiffin. However, initial consonantal dh- neither gives rise to nor develops from consonantal d-.[citation needed]
Regional variations
Haryana has Dabaha all over and Dhabas of Murthal on Grand Trunk Road are famous for various delicacies including Murthal Paratha, Haryanvi Daal, Cheese Bread Pakora and more.[2][3][4]
Punjab, is origin of roadside Punjabi dhaba that are popular across India.[5][6]
See also
- Indian cuisine
- Cha chaan teng Hong Kong Diner
- Greasy spoon in Britain
- Hawker centre of Singapore
- Truck stop in North America
- Kesar Da Dhaba
References
- ^ Balasubramaniam, Chitra (February 2, 2013). "Food Safari: In search of Murthal ke paranthe". The Hindu. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - ^ Dhabas of Murthal and Haryana, The Tribune, 2004
- ^ Food Safari: In search of Murthal Paratha The Hindu newspaper, 2-Feb-2013
- ^ Highway Bits: Dhabas versus food chains, Times of India, 7-Sept-2015
- ^ Punjabi Dhaba Dining on roads, Theideaofindia.com, July 2018
- ^ A culinary pilgrimage to Punjab, The New York Times, March 2014
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