Kashmiri Wedding Food: Complete Wazwan Menu & Pandit Dishes
At Team Plannersy, we’ve been mesmerized by the depth and dignity of Kashmiri wedding feasts. In this guide, we take you through every course and custom of a Kashmiri wedding food menu – honouring not just the dishes, but the devotion behind them.
“A Kashmiri wedding doesn’t begin with a guest list, it begins with a menu.”
Team Plannersy
The Heart of Every Kashmiri Wedding Lies in Its Feast
The grandeur of Kashmiri Weddings isn’t limited to the rituals or the stunning landscapes, it spills over to the dining table in the most delicious way possible.
Food here isn’t just nourishment.
It’s art.
It’s hospitality.
It’s a shared emotion passed through generations.
Whether you’re attending a Muslim wedding where the majestic Wazwan takes centre stage or a Kashmiri Pandit celebration rooted in satvik elegance, you’re bound to experience food that’s soulful, symbolic, and incredibly satisfying.
What is Wazwan? A Culinary Legacy of Kashmiri Weddings
Rooted deeply in Kashmiri Muslim wedding traditions, Wazwan refers to a royal, multi-course feast that transforms food into celebration.
The name itself comes from two Persian words:
- Waz (cook)
- and Wan (shop or place)
and it symbolizes the soul of Kashmiri hospitality.
At the helm of this grand affair is the Waza – the traditional chef – who, along with his team, prepares up to 36 dishes, mostly meat-based, with centuries-old techniques passed down like heirlooms.
Cooking begins days before the wedding, with a focus on quality, precision, and deep respect for tradition.
The Wazwan is served in a Trami, a large copper platter shared by four guests who eat together, usually with their hands, in silence—a quiet nod to the reverence the food commands.
“Wazwan is Kashmir’s poetry that’s not recited in words, but in aroma, saffron, and slow-cooked grace.”
Team Plannersy
While most Wazwan dishes are centred around lamb and exotic spices like saffron and dry ginger, many modern weddings now offer vegetarian adaptations or a dedicated Pandit-Kashmiri style spread, making the feast inclusive without losing its essence.
Signature Dishes in a Traditional Wazwan (Non-Vegetarian Kashmiri Wedding Food Menu)
In a traditional Kashmiri Muslim wedding, the Wazwan is more than a culinary experience: it’s a ritual.
The sequence of dishes, the aroma of slow-cooked meat, and the ceremonial serving all come together to craft a dining moment that’s unforgettable.
Complete Wazwan Dishes List: All 36 Courses at a Kashmiri Muslim Wedding
The traditional Wazwan is not just a meal – it’s a 36-course celebration of heritage. While the exact number of dishes served may vary by region or family, here’s a comprehensive look at the classic Wazwan menu:
| Dish Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Gushtaba | Finely pounded mutton meatballs in a rich, yogurt-based gravy. Served at the end. |
| Rista | Red gravy meatballs, soft and silky, cooked in saffron-infused broth. |
| Rogan Josh | A deep red mutton curry made with Kashmiri red chillies and yogurt. |
| Yakhni | Yogurt-based white mutton curry with fennel and dried mint. |
| Daniwal Korma | A coriander-flavored mutton curry, light and fragrant. |
| Marchwangan Korma | Fiery mutton curry with red chillies and fennel. |
| Aab Gosht | Mutton cooked in a milk-based sauce with cardamom and saffron. |
| Tabak Maaz | Twice-cooked lamb ribs: first boiled, then crisp-fried. |
| Kabargah | A variant of Tabak Maaz, spiced and fried lamb ribs. |
| Mirchi Qorma | A spicy lamb dish with whole red chillies. |
| Nadru Yakhni | Lotus stem cooked in a light, yogurt-based gravy. |
| Muji Chetin | Radish and walnut chutney—sharp, tangy, and cooling. |
| Dum Aloo | Baby potatoes simmered in yogurt and spice-rich gravy. |
| Chaman Qaliya | Paneer (cottage cheese) in a turmeric-flavored milk curry. |
| Haak | Stir-fried Kashmiri collard greens with mustard oil and garlic. |
| Tamatar Chaman | Paneer cooked in a tangy tomato-based gravy. |
| Methi Maaz | Lamb cooked with fenugreek leaves—bitter, bold and aromatic. |
| Palak Rista | Spinach gravy base with mutton meatballs. |
| Safed Kokur | White chicken curry with milk and almond paste. |
| Zafrani Kokur | Saffron-infused chicken curry. |
| Waza Kokur | Chicken cooked with Waza-style spices and yogurt. |
| Chicken Korma | A rich, nutty, and aromatic chicken curry. |
| Chok Wangun | Tangy brinjal (eggplant) in tamarind or yogurt-based sauce. |
| Khatta Meetha Kaddu | Sweet and sour pumpkin, often served with rice. |
| Rajma Gogji | Kidney beans cooked with turnips—a winter favourite. |
| Modur Pulao | Sweet Kashmiri rice with dry fruits, ghee, and saffron. |
| Plain Basmati Rice | Fragrant steamed rice, usually served as base for gravies. |
| Kashmiri Pulao | Mildly sweet pulao with fruits and spices. |
| Zarda | Sweet saffron rice with cardamom and nuts. |
| Sheer Chai | Pink tea with baking soda, milk, and salt. Often served post-meal. |
| Phirni | Saffron-flavored semolina or rice pudding. |
| Halwa | Semolina-based dessert with ghee and dry fruits. |
| Kahwa | Traditional green tea with saffron, cardamom, almonds. |
| Pickles (Achaar) | Variety of homemade pickles served as condiments. |
| Salad | Sliced cucumber, onion, radish—served fresh. |
| Papad | Crunchy lentil wafers—lightly roasted or fried. |
Vegetarian Wazwan-Style Feast for Kashmiri Pandit Weddings
Kashmiri Pandit weddings, though different in rituals from Muslim weddings, are equally rich in food traditions. The dishes may be vegetarian, but they carry the same depth, warmth, and ceremonial significance as their non-veg counterparts.
A Kashmiri Pandit wedding thali is a blend of Sattvik flavors, seasonal produce, dairy-rich gravies, and subtle spices like fennel, asafoetida (hing), and dry ginger (sonth). Onion and garlic are often skipped, especially in traditional homes.
Here’s a look at the popular vegetarian dishes that grace the tables during a Pandit wedding:
| Dish Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Dum Aloo | Baby potatoes cooked in a yogurt-based gravy with fennel and dry ginger. |
| Nadru Yakhni | Lotus stem in a light yogurt gravy—simple, fragrant, and nourishing. |
| Chaman Qaliya | Paneer cooked in a turmeric and milk-based gravy, lightly spiced. |
| Tamatar Chaman | Paneer simmered in a tomato-rich sauce, slightly tangy. |
| Rajma Gogji | Kidney beans with turnip—a comforting and seasonal delicacy. |
| Muji Chetin | A radish and walnut chutney that adds sharpness to the meal. |
| Khatta Meetha Kaddu | Sweet and sour pumpkin preparation, with jaggery and tamarind. |
| Haak Saag | Collard greens lightly cooked with mustard oil and asafoetida. |
| Aloo Bukhara Curry | A rich gravy made with dried plums for a unique sweet-tart flavor. |
| Ruwangan Hachi Aloo | Dried tomato and potato curry—a specialty among Pandit households. |
| Kashmiri Pulao | Mildly sweet rice with dry fruits, ghee, and saffron. |
| Plain Basmati Rice | Served alongside gravies and stews. |
| Modur Pulao | Sweet rice with almonds, cashews, coconut, and raisins. |
| Phirni | Creamy rice pudding with cardamom and saffron. |
| Kahwa | Green tea brewed with saffron, almonds, and cardamom—served post meals. |
| Halwa | Semolina or moong dal halwa rich in ghee and dry fruits. |
Wedding Day Food Traditions: Rituals, Style & Serving Customs
In Kashmiri weddings, food is an emotional, spiritual, and cultural act.
The wedding feast is a marker of community, pride, and celebration. Across both Muslim and Pandit weddings, the culinary rituals of the wedding day are deeply symbolic and rooted in centuries of tradition.
For Muslim Weddings (Wazwan Experience)
Kashmiri Muslim weddings are defined by the grand Wazwan as we walked through above. A multi-course feast curated and prepared by expert chefs called wazas over several days.
Key Wedding Day Food Rituals:
- Trami Service:
Guests are served in groups of four on a large, copper platter called a Trami. This is laid out on a dastarkhwan (floor covering), encouraging communal dining and bonding. - First Delights:
The feast starts with delicacies like seekh kebabs, methi chutney, and crispy tabak maaz, placed directly on the Trami. - Main Course Cascade:
After the initial bites, the full range of Wazwan dishes begins flowing—rista, rogan josh, yakhni, nadru yakhni, haak, chaman, modur pulao, and many more, ending with the royal gushtaba. - Respect in Service:
The head waza personally places the Gushtaba in each Trami—a symbolic act that signifies respect and the finale of the meal. - Kahwa Ceremony:
Post-meal, guests are offered Kahwa, served in samovars—saffron-infused green tea poured with grace to aid digestion and offer warmth.
For Kashmiri Pandit Weddings
In Kashmiri Pandit weddings, the food rituals are more restrained but equally cherished. The emphasis is on purity, balance, and sattvik energy, often with vegetarian dishes prepared without onion and garlic.
Traditional Practices:
- Sit-down Thali Service:
Traditionally, food was served on plates (often leaf or metal) as sit-down meals. Every guest was served individually—a mark of atithi satkar (respect for guests). - Sattvik Preparations:
The wedding day meals include Nadru yakhni, dum aloo, chaman, rajma, modur pulao, and phirni, reflecting harmony and restraint. - No Onion-Garlic Rule:
Especially on the wedding day, the food is devoid of tamasic ingredients like onion and garlic—believed to maintain auspiciousness. - Post-Wedding Meals (Roth Khabar):
Sweet breads called Roth are prepared as part of post-wedding rituals, shared with family and gods in gratitude.
“In a Kashmiri Pandit home, wedding meals are a prayer served on a plate.”
Final Thoughts: Why Food Is the Heart of Kashmiri Weddings
Whether it’s the 37-dish grandeur of a Muslim Wazwan or the sattvik simplicity of a Pandit thali, food at a Kashmiri wedding is far more than a meal.
Kashmiris, no matter where they are in the world, carry their food traditions as a badge of honor. The wedding feast isn’t just for indulgence, it is a way of preserving legacy, thanking ancestors, and making every guest feel like family.
From the crisp bite of Tabak Maaz, to the soulful simplicity of Haak, to the warmth of post-meal Kahwa, every element is thoughtfully chosen, lovingly made, and generously shared.
“In Kashmir, we don’t just invite people to a wedding. We invite them to eat, laugh, and remember forever.”
– Our Kashmiri Client who took Plannersy’s Wedding Planning Services
So the next time you witness a Kashmiri wedding – or plan one through Team Plannersy – know that the menu isn’t just a list. It’s a living poem, told through saffron, ghee, walnuts, lotus stems, and memories.
Explore More on Wedding Cultures & Celebrations
Kashmiri weddings are a treasure of flavor and sentiment—but every region in India brings its own charm to the wedding feast. Here’s a curated list of food traditions across different Indian cultures. Dive deeper into how love, tradition, and taste come together across the country—one plate at a time.
| Wedding Food & Ritual Guides | Read More |
|---|---|
| Kashmiri Wedding Rituals – Muslim & Pandit Traditions | Read here |
| Rajasthani Wedding Food Menu – Royal Flavors of the Desert | Read here |
| Maharashtrian Wedding Food Menu – Simplicity Meets Savor | Read here |
| Gujarati Wedding Food Menu – Sweet, Sattvik & Soulful | Read here |
| North Indian Wedding Food Menu – Bold & Flavorful Favourites | Read here |
| South Indian Wedding Food Menu (Vegetarian) – A Pure Feast | Read here |
| Indian Wedding Veg Food Menu – A Pan-India Plant-Based Spread | Read here |
| Bengali Wedding Food Menu – Tradition Served with Mustard Love | Read here |
