Kashmir's bone-in lamb curry — no onion, no garlic — gets its colour from Kashmiri chillies and its depth from fennel and cardamom. Part of the royal 36-dish Wazwan tradition.
About Rogan Josh
Kashmir's great lamb curry — pieces of bone-in lamb slow-cooked in yoghurt, Kashmiri red chillies (for colour, not heat), fennel, cardamom and the dried flowers of cockscomb until the sauce reduces to a brick-red, aromatic gravy of extraordinary depth; no onion, no garlic; part of the 36-dish Wazwan feast tradition.
Pieces of bone-in lamb slow-cooked in yoghurt, Kashmiri red chillies (for deep colour rather than sharp heat), fennel, cardamom and the dried flowers of cockscomb until the sauce reduces to a brick-red, aromatic gravy of extraordinary depth. No onion. No garlic. Part of the 36-dish Wazwan feast tradition of Kashmiri Muslim cooking.
“Part of the 36-dish Wazwan feast tradition of Kashmiri Muslim cooking.”
The Kashmiri chilli is not a spice substitute — it is a specific variety grown in the Kashmir valley that provides a deep mahogany-red colour and a mild, fruity heat. Without it, the dish's visual character is entirely lost.
What to Expect
The rogan josh arrives in a copper vessel, the sauce brick-red and fragrant. The lamb comes off the bone with a fork. The flavour is warm and aromatic rather than spicy — the Kashmiri chilli's mild heat builds slowly.
Why Try It
Rogan josh is the entry point to Kashmiri cuisine — a cooking tradition so distinct from North Indian that it feels like a different country's food.
Insider Tips
- Only authentic Wazwan restaurants in Srinagar serve the most complete version.
- Kashmiri chilli (Deggi Mirch) is the correct variety — it gives colour without intense heat.
- Order it with sheermal (a saffron flatbread) rather than plain rice.
