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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Jhunka Vadi (Zunka Vadi)

Published: Oct 2, 2017 · Modified: May 20, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Jhunka Vadi/Zunka Vadi/Jhunka recipe is a traditional dish from North Karnataka and Maharashtra prepared using gram flour, onion, and spices. This tasty dish is used as an accompaniment with Chapati or Jowar Roti (Jalada Rotti).

jhunka vadi served on a plate garnished with cilantro and coconut

Jhunka Vadi is also known as Pitla. This can be made with dry and semi gravy version and this recipe post dedicate to the dry version of the Jhunka Vadi recipe. Jhunka Vadi has long shelf life so we used to carry this on our vacations.

I learned this recipe from my mom, since we are from North Karnataka my mom makes at least jowar roti 4 times a week and this Jhunka is made once a week along with raw tomato chutney. Traditionally after onions are sautéed, slowly add besan in batches to boiling water and stir continuously so there will be no lumps. Cook till this gravy thicken and leaves the sides of the pan.

But I tweaked this recipe a bit by adding besan and water mixture to the sauteed onion mixture, that ways no lumps are formed.

If you have some leftover Jhunka Vadi's dont worry, just shallow fry them like bhaji's they taste amazing. Do try this recipe and let me know if you liked it in the comments section.

I have posted many Karnataka-style recipes on this blog. So if you are looking for more recipes then check my Veg Pulao, Methi Pulao|Menthya Bath, Bisibelebath, Masala Peanuts Chaat, Shenga Saaru (Peanut Sambar), Red Chilli Karindi|Menthe Hindi, Spicy Garlic Puffed Rice, Girmit, Nargis Mandakki, and, Tomato Slice Chaat

How to Make Jhunka Vadi

Mix together besan/gram flour and water to make a smooth paste (lump-free) and keep it aside.

step to mix besan with water collage

Heat the nonstick saucepan with oil, add mustard & cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.

step to prepare tempering collage

Next add garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, hing/asafoetida, and saute for 30 secs.

step to saute garlic and chillies collage

Add onions and fry till they turn light brown and tender.

step to saute onion till they turn brown collage

Add turmeric powder, tamarind juice, jaggery & stir for a few minutes (appx about 1-2 minutes).

step to add dry spices and tamarind juice collage

Next add salt, besan mixture cook on low heat, and stir continuously so there will be no lumps.

step to add besan mixture collage

Cook till the mixture leaves sides of the pan and the besan mixture gets a shiny texture. Once the Jhunka mixture has thickened, turn off the heat.

step to cook besan mixture collage

Transfer the mixture to greased rectangular pan/tray and spread the mixture evenly.

step to set jhunka vadi mixture in a greased tray collage

Sprinkle some fresh coconut and coriander leaves. Let it cool completely.

Cut the mixture into square or diamond shapes.

step to garnish Zunka Vadi with fresh coconut and cilantro collage

Jhunka/Zunka Vadi is ready and can be served with Bhakri / chapati or just can be eaten as a snack.

jhunka vadi served on a plate garnished with cilantro and coconut

What to serve with Jhunka Vadi?

Serve Jhunka Vadi as a side dish with Jowar roti (bakri), chapati, or rice for lunch or dinner. It is also eaten as a snack along with a hot chai in North Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Tips & Variations to make Jhunka

  • When the jhunka starts to thicken make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. So keep on stirring. Also, use a thick bottom pan or nonstick pan.
  • If you dont have tamarind then replace it with lemon juice.
  • You can make Vadi size of your choice. Some prefer thin and some prefer thick.
  • You can also shallow fry the vadi and have it as a tea-time snack.
  • Jhunka Vadi is famous for its longer shelf life so this can be easily carried as a travel food snack.
  • You can also sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top.
  • You can add spinach to make spinach Jhunka recipe.

More Curry Recipes

  • Lauki Ki Subji
  • Black Eye Pea Curry(Lobia curry)
  • Rajma Masala
  • Beetroot & Chickpeas Stir Fry
  • Mushroom Masala
  • Zucchini Besan Sabzi
  • Chana Masala
Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below
jhunka vadi served on a plate garnished with cilantro and coconut

Jhunka Vadi | Zunka Vadi | Jhunka

Bhavana Patil
Jhunka Vadi Recipe is a traditional dish from North Karnataka and Maharashtra prepared using gram flour, onion and spices
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories : 440
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, North Karnataka
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Stovetop
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 15 minutes
Total Time : 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup besan/gram flour (chick pea flour)
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3-4 green chilies finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin/jeera seeds
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon hing/asafetida
  • few curry leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
  • ½ teaspoon jaggery more or less
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoon coconut fresh & grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • 3 tablespoon oil
  • salt to taste
  • 1.5 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Mix together besan/gram flour and water to make a smooth paste (lump-free) and keep it aside.
  • Heat the nonstick saucepan with oil, add mustard & cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.
  • Next add garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, hing/asafoetida, and saute for 30 secs.
  • Add onions and fry till they turn light brown and tender.
  • Add turmeric powder, tamarind juice, jaggery & stir for a few minutes (appx about 1-2 minutes).
  • Next add salt, besan mixture cook on low heat, and stir continuously so there will be no lumps.
  • Cook till the mixture leaves sides of the pan and the besan mixture gets a shiny texture. Once the Jhunka mixture has thickened, turn off the heat.
  • Once Jhunka mixture has thickened, turn off the heat.
  • Transfer the mixture to greased rectangular pan/tray and spread the mixture evenly.
  • Sprinkle some fresh coconut and coriander leaves. Let it cool completely.
  • Cut the mixture into square or diamond shapes.
  • Jhunka/Zunka Vadi is ready and can be served with Bhakri / chapati or just can be eaten as a snack.

Video

Notes

Tips & Variations to make Jhunka

    • When the jhunka starts to thicken make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. So keep on stirring. Also, use a thick bottom pan or nonstick pan.
    • If you dont have tamarind then replace it with lemon juice.
    • You can make vadi size of your choice. Some prefer thin and some prefer thick.
    • You can also shallow fry the vadi and have it as a tea-time snack.
    • Jhunka Vadi is famous for its longer shelf life so this can be easily carried as a travel food snack.
    • You can also sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top.
    • You can add spinach to make spinach Jhunka recipe.
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 24gFat: 15gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 207mgPotassium: 900mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1010IUVitamin C: 3.2mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 5.2mg
Keyword gram flour recipes, jhunka, jhunka vadi, zunka
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aparna says

    November 05, 2019 at 5:31 am

    Hi. I tried this recipe today and it came out perfect. It's tasty. Your detailed instructions were good as if you are guiding from behind. Thank you.

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      November 05, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      hi Aparna, thanks for trying and i am happy detailed steps helped you.Another variation for leftover jhunka vadi,just shallow fry them with little oil till crispy..they taste soo good,you can eat like a evening snack..please do checkout other recipes from my blog.

      Reply
  2. Nilay says

    May 09, 2020 at 5:44 am

    5 stars
    Your Jhunka Vadi recipe looks yummy. Today I am gonna try it. Keep sharing this kind of recipe.

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      May 09, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Thank you for kind words.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    May 19, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    came out really good !

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      May 19, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  4. Snehal says

    June 17, 2020 at 10:18 am

    Hi. Tried this super easy dish. Came out very well. Everbody loved it. Just a suggestion for other friends trying- many people feel that besan creates gas. So u may like to add little grated ginger and some ajwain while sauteeing. Both these ingredients add to its taste.
    Regards

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      June 17, 2020 at 10:21 am

      Hey Snehal,thanks for trying and letting us know you liked it.Also its a great suggestion of adding ajwain to besan recipe.Will make a point in the blog as well.Thanks Again

      Reply
  5. Soumya says

    January 05, 2022 at 10:27 am

    Hey,
    How long can we store this junka? Can I store it for a week? And how to store it? In a air container or normal container? Can I keep it in fridge? Or leave it outside?

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      January 05, 2022 at 12:27 pm

      Hey Soumya, if you dont add shredded fresh coconut on top, then you can store up to 2-3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. I never left it outside, as they finish so quickly at my house.

      Reply

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