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Cuisine

Bohri thal
A Dawoodi Bohra family shares a meal over the thaal, the traditional way of having meals with family and friends

The Dawoodi Bohras are proud of their culinary reputation.

Joining each other for meals is a particularly well known Bohra custom and therefore they have a unique system of communal eating in groups of eight or nine people seated around a thaal or a particularly large metal plate. It symbolises equality, unity, and community bonding minimising food waste, and strengthening social ties during meals.

Learn more about community kitchens

Each course of the meal is served for the people around the thaal to share.

Traditional Bohra meals are often shared with local friends and neighbours while imparting a multi-faith message of unity and peace. Bohra cuisine is unique due to its fusion of Indian and Middle Eastern flavours, structured dining style, and focus on sharing. It blends tradition with community values, making food both cultural and spiritual for Dawoodi Bohras.

bohrah family having food in thal

Bohra Cuisine

Food plays an important role in Bohra religious rites as well as cultural traditions and certain dishes have therefore become synonymous with special occasions. Popular Bohra cuisine dishes include kheema samosas, dal chawal palidu, malida, and Bohra biryani. Meals are often served in courses, starting with something sweet, followed by savoury dishes, the main course and ending with fruits.
khichro made from mutton and wheat
Khichro (made of mutton and cracked wheat)
Kheema khichri minced meat pulao
Kheema khichri (minced meat pulao)
Laganya seekh with meat and eggs layered
Laganya seekh (layered minced meat topped with eggs)
Meat Kheema Samosa
Kheema samosa (minced meat samosas)
mutton kari chawal with spiced coconunt milk curry
Mutton kari chawal – spiced coconut milk-based curry served with fragrant basmati rice.
kharak stuffed dried dates
Kharak – stuffed dried dates served during Eid al-Fitr.
kalamro rice and yoghurt dessert
Kalamro – a dessert made from rice and yoghurt), served to celebrate the Prophet Mohammed’s birth anniversary.
sheer khurma
Sheer Khurma – a warm dessert made of vermicelli, milk, dates, dry fruits and nuts, and clarified butter (ghee).

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