Daryaganj is a neighborhood in the heart of Delhi, India. It is located in the Central Delhi district and is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious street food. The name Daryaganj comes from the Persian word “”Darya”” which means “”River”” and “”ganj”” which means “”market””. This reflects the neighborhood’s rich history as a bustling marketplace where goods were traded and sold along the banks of the Yamuna River.
One of the most iconic features of Daryaganj is its street food. The neighborhood is famous for its delicious street food, which has been a staple of the local cuisine for generations. From chaat and kebabs to paranthas and sweets, Daryaganj has something to offer for everyone. The street food in Daryaganj is not just a source of sustenance but also a cultural experience, as locals and tourists alike gather to sample the flavors and aromas of this vibrant neighborhood.
Another key aspect of Daryaganj’s history is its role as a hub of publishing and printing. The neighborhood is home to a number of publishing houses and printing presses, and has long been a center of intellectual and cultural activity. Many of the country’s leading authors, poets, and thinkers have lived and worked in Daryaganj, making it an important center for literary and cultural production.
One of the most famous landmarks in Daryaganj is the historic Kundan Lal Jaggi restaurant. Founded in the 1940s, this restaurant has been serving delicious and authentic North Indian cuisine for generations. The restaurant is named after its founder, Kundan Lal Jaggi, who was a pioneer of the Punjabi cuisine in Delhi. Today, the restaurant is renowned for its iconic dishes, such as its famous Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani, which are beloved by locals and tourists alike.
The history of Daryaganj is not just about food and literature, but also about architecture. The neighborhood is home to a number of historic buildings and monuments, including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, two of Delhi’s most famous landmarks. These buildings are rich in cultural and historical significance, and offer a glimpse into the city’s rich heritage.
In recent years, Daryaganj has undergone a transformation, as new developments and shopping centers have sprung up in the area. Despite these changes, the neighborhood has managed to maintain its unique character and charm. The streets are still lined with street vendors and shops selling everything from jewelry to textiles, and the vibrant energy of the neighborhood can still be felt in the bustling markets and crowded streets.
In conclusion, Daryaganj is a neighborhood with a rich history and vibrant culture. From its delicious street food to its role as a hub of publishing and printing, Daryaganj is a neighborhood that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or food, Daryaganj is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city of Delhi. So if you’re planning a trip to the Indian capital, be sure to include Daryaganj on your itinerary and experience all that this unique and vibrant neighborhood has to offer.
 Kundan Lal Jaggi was a renowned figure in the culinary world and is widely recognized for popularizing Tandoori cuisine globally. He was born into a Punjabi-Hindu family in Peshawar, British India, and as a young boy, he developed a passion for cooking and honed his skills at a restaurant owned by Mokha Singh in the 1930s.
In the aftermath of the partition of India in 1947, Kundan Lal Jaggi lost everything and became a refugee. Despite these challenges, he remained undaunted and travelled to Delhi with the goal of introducing the city to a new type of cuisine. This experience not only honed his cooking skills but also strengthened his resilience and focus. With cooking being his only skill, he eventually teamed up with two other partners to open a restaurant in Daryaganj, New Delhi, which went on to become a tremendous success and marked a new chapter in his life.
Kundan Lal Jaggi’s recipes were the result of his dedication, hard work, and love for cooking. These recipes have withstood the test of time and have been passed down from generation to generation. Before he passed away, Kundan Lal Jaggi made sure to preserve these recipes and passed on this legacy to his grandson, ensuring that the traditions and techniques of Tandoori cuisine would live on.
The Origin of Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani, a creamy and flavorful dish, has a fascinating story behind its creation. Kundan Lal Jaggi, the culinary master of Tandoori cuisine, had a regular customer named Sucha Singh, who was a food enthusiast and a Sikh gentleman. During one of his visits to Kundan Lal Jaggi’s restaurant in 1947, Sucha Singh suggested that Kundan Lal Jaggi try to create a more exciting version of the traditional “”Maa Ki Dal,”” a popular dish in Indian kitchens.
Inspired by this suggestion, Kundan Lal Jaggi decided to slow cook black lentils on the tandoor oven with a mixture of fresh tomatoes, white butter, and a selection of herbs and spices. He left it to slow simmer overnight and was pleasantly surprised by the rich and creamy dal that resulted. As the dish became more popular among customers, Kundan Lal Jaggi named it “”Dal Makhani,”” derived from the word “”makhan,”” which means butter.
Today, Dal Makhani is a staple dish in Indian cuisine and is especially beloved by vegetarians, who consider it a vegetarian equivalent to the classic Butter Chicken. The slow-cooked technique, combined with the rich flavors of the herbs, spices, and butter, make Dal Makhani a dish that is both filling and delicious.
The Birth of Butter Chicken Butter Chicken is one of the most beloved dishes of North Indian cuisine and is renowned for its rich and flavorful taste. It was created in 1947 by Kundan Lal Jaggi, the renowned culinary master of Tandoori cuisine, in a moment of necessity. One evening, as Kundan Lal Jaggi was about to close his restaurant, a group of hungry refugees arrived, eager for a meal. With the kitchen nearly empty, Kundan Lal Jaggi was faced with the challenge of feeding this large group of people with limited ingredients.
A Bengali gentleman who was dining at the restaurant suggested that Kundan Lal Jaggi make a gravy and add the tandoori chicken to it, creating a filling meal for everyone. Kundan Lal Jaggi quickly sprang into action, using what ingredients he could find in the kitchen, such as tomatoes, fresh butter, and spices, to make a rich and flavorful gravy. He then added pieces of the cooked tandoori chicken to the gravy, which is why the dish is a combination of tandoori chicken cooked first and then added to the makhani “”butter”” gravy.
The refugees were delighted by this new creation and ate every last bite. Kundan Lal Jaggi, impressed by the popularity of this dish, decided to put it permanently on his menu and named it “”Butter Chicken.”” With Kundan Lal Jaggi’s culinary skills and the delicious taste of Butter Chicken, the world’s fate of taste was forever changed.
 The Old Iconic Restaurant, known as Moti Mahal, has a rich history dating back to 1947 in the neighborhood of Daryaganj in New Delhi, India. During a time when Punjabi refugees were migrating to Delhi and the country was striving for progress and innovation, this restaurant quickly became a landmark in the culinary world. Moti Mahal was renowned for its signature dishes, with a philosophy that centered on the pursuit of culinary excellence. It was a pioneering establishment that introduced tandoori cuisine to the world, and soon became Delhi’s favorite dining destination.
At a time when it was not common for women to dine out, Moti Mahal welcomed families and even royalty, elevating curry to an art form. The restaurant was known for its live performances by Shakila Bano’s Qawwalis, and its signature creations like Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani. It was so highly regarded that the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a frequent patron and even requested that a tandoor be set up at his official residence, where Moti Mahal’s staff would cook fresh naans and kababs for him and visiting state guests from around the world.
However, in the early 1990s, the owners, Kundan Lal and his partners, decided to sell the restaurant, bringing to a close an era of magnificent food and memories. Despite this, Moti Mahal remains an iconic landmark in the history of Indian cuisine, remembered for its innovative dishes and its role in elevating the dining experience.
Shark Tank India: Daryaganj Founder of Butter Chicken Complete Review
 Dal Makhani is a restaurant business that has been showcasing its pitch on Shark Tank India. The Daryaganj Restaurant is a tribute to the founder, Kundan Lal Jaggi, who was a well-known cook in India and served food to famous personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. The restaurant was established in 1947 at Moti Mahal in the Daryaganj neighborhood of New Delhi and is known for its world-famous dishes like Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani.
The current owners, Raghav Jaggi and Amit Bagga, have introduced a new concept called 5 Senses Dining which aims to provide customers with a complete dining experience through the use of their taste buds, touch, sight, smell, and sound. The restaurant has a chic and contemporary interior that captures the royal feel of the independence era and serves food with a traditional taste and aroma. Additionally, the restaurant complex features soulful and unplugged tunes sung by new artists.
The Daryaganj Restaurant currently has three outlets in Delhi, one in Gurgaon and one in Noida, and has been operating as a hospitality restaurant since 2017. The founders of the Daryaganj Restaurant will be appearing on Shark Tank India, where they will be seeking investment from the sharks in order to expand their business further. The details of the investment deal and company valuation will be updated soon.