Tasting Punjab: Street Food Highlights and Easy Stays with cheQin.ai

Punjab Food Trail: Authentic Dishes and Smart Stay in Amritsar

As a foodie-outing enthusiast who loves strong flavours and homemade fare, my recent visit to Punjab was a culinary orgie of the senses. From the buttery richness of Amritsari kulchas to the serene simplicity of the Golden Temple’s langar, every bite was a story of tradition, spice, and host’s heart.

I had always heard Punjab is where your meal feels like a hug when you take a bite of it — and now that I have been there, I must tell you that’s true.

Get Sorted with cheQin.ai

Booking a stay in a place like Amritsar, which is touristy, can be a tough thing to do — when you don’t have time to spend hours hotel-hopping. On this trip, I tried doing something new: I booked with cheQin.ai.

First Stop: Amritsar — The Heart of Punjabi Food

Amritsar greeted me with thronged streets, warm people, and the wafting smell of ghee. My first stop was Kulcha Land, a tiny place where I was served one of the finest Amritsari kulchas I have ever tasted. Crisp outside, soft within, and filled with hot potatoes — paired with chole and a pat of white butter which began to melt before my eyes. I didn’t say a word even at lunch. I ate and smiled.

Another restaurant that I simply loved was Bharawan Da Dhaba — a popular eatery near the Golden Temple. I had simply ordered their simple Punjabi thali, and the dal makhani, sarson da saag, and makki di roti were so much like being cooked at home with such love.

The Peace of the Langar

No dining experience in Punjab is ever complete if one hasn’t eaten langar at the Golden Temple. The food is free, simple, and with courtesy and respect to scores of individuals who eat off the floor. Roti, dal, kheer, and sabzi were served before me with no rush, no ado — just quiet service and quiet eating.

That single meal was a lesson in gratitude that no haute cuisine experience can ever hope to equal.

Some Secret Food Finds

Amritsar may be famous for the big guns, but I also indulged in lesser-known, secret food finds:

Giani Tea Stall — For the finest morning chai with samosas

A tiny kulfi stall near Town Hall — Cold, creamy, and old-school

Street food near Partition Museum — Spicy tikki chaat and lassi in clay cups

Every corner had something to eat, and I must admit that I never felt hungry in Punjab.

Here’s how it went down:

I opened the app and submitted my stay request — budget (how much I was willing to pay), location (vicinity of Golden Temple), and needs (clean room, Wi-Fi, quiet place).

Local hotels responded with live quotes in minutes.

I didn’t need to look forever — I simply took one of the lowest 5 quotes.

The hotel was clean, close to everything, and close to my budget. No waiting for calls, no calls, no fees. Everything was so simple and fair — the way travel should be.

Last Thoughts

Punjab provided me with something more than plain sustenance — it provided me with warmth, comfort, and actual moments. Whether preparing a solo langar, breaking bread with strangers, or wallowing over steaming parathas on a crowded street, every moment was grounded and actual.

And with cheQin.ai, I didn’t need to fret about where I would be sleeping after a day of eating and walking. I could simply concentrate on the most crucial thing: people, food, and narratives.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Punjab — come hungry, travel light, and let the flavors guide you. And when it’s time to find a place to rest, cheQin.ai has got your back — just post your need, and let the best stay find you.