Indian Jain Food Menu

Principles behind Jain food

Jain food follows from ahimsa, the principle of non-violence that is central to Jainism. Practice is strictly vegetarian, and many observant Jains also avoid foods that involve harm to a large number of small organisms or the destruction of an entire plant. How strictly these rules are kept differs by sect, community, family and individual, so the description below is general rather than a single authoritative code. If you are cooking for someone who follows Jain rules, ask them what they observe.

Foods commonly avoided

Meat, fish and eggs, which are avoided by all observant Jains.
Root vegetables and bulbs, commonly including potato, onion, garlic, carrot, radish, beetroot and sweet potato, because uprooting is seen as killing the whole plant and soil organisms. Some Jains also avoid ginger in its fresh form, while using dried ginger. Practices vary.
Certain fermented or aged foods and items that may harbor micro-organisms, depending on household.
Food after sunset: many observant Jains do not eat after dark, so dinner is early.
Some other items such as certain leafy greens, cauliflower or brinjal in some households.

Many Jains also avoid honey. Dairy is generally accepted.

Typical Jain meal

A common meal follows the pattern of a thali, described in our overview of Indian side dishes: a staple (roti or rice), dal or kadhi, a vegetable dish made without the avoided ingredients, a yogurt-based side, and perhaps a sweet. Flavor is built using other seasonings: asafoetida (hing), cumin, mustard seeds, green chilies, tomato in some households, coriander, and dried spice powders.

Breakfast

Poha made without onion, with peanuts, curry leaves and lemon.
Thepla (spiced flatbread) with curd.
Dhokla or khaman, steamed gram flour cakes.
Idli or dosa with sambar made without onion. See our guide to traditional Indian breakfast foods.
Fruit, milk or tea.

Lunch

Roti or phulka.
Plain or tempered dal, or kadhi (yogurt and gram flour curry).
A vegetable dish such as bottle gourd, ridge gourd, beans, cluster beans, or paneer-based preparations.
Rice, with a raita or buttermilk.
Papad, pickle without garlic, and salad using permitted vegetables.

Dinner

Dinner is eaten before sunset by many observant Jains, so it is often similar to lunch but lighter: khichdi with kadhi, simple dal-rice, or roti with vegetables.

Snacks and street food

Many Gujarati and Rajasthani snacks suit Jain eating with small changes. Dhokla, khakhra, thepla, sev and gathiya, and fruit-based chaats can be made without onion and garlic. See our pages on sev recipes and vegetarian chaat recipes for ideas. In “Jain” versions of street foods, vendors typically omit onion, garlic and potato, though cross-contact with other foods can happen.

Festivals, fasting and chaturmas

Jain festivals such as Paryushana involve extended fasting and stricter eating. For the foods of other Indian festivals, see Indian festivals and their food. During chaturmas, the four-month rainy season period, many observant Jains avoid certain vegetables, such as leafy greens, because insects proliferate. Some fast on particular days, drinking only boiled water. Details differ by sect, so check with the household.

Substitutions in Jain cooking

Asafoetida (hing) often stands in for the savory depth of onion and garlic.
Tomato, yogurt or cashew paste helps thicken gravies, although some Jains avoid tomato.
Raw banana, plantain and gourds can take the place of potato in some dishes. Yam-type tubers are root vegetables, so they are avoided in many households.
Dried ginger powder is used in place of fresh ginger.

Can Jains eat pizza?

Standard pizza usually contains cheese made with animal rennet in some cases, plus onion, garlic or mushrooms in toppings and sauce. Some restaurants offer a “Jain pizza” without onion, garlic and root vegetables, and with vegetarian cheese. Whether a particular pizza is acceptable depends on the individual’s rules and on how it is made.

FAQ

What is typical Jain food?

Strictly vegetarian meals without onion, garlic and root vegetables for most observant followers, plus an early dinner.

What do Jains eat for breakfast?

Poha, thepla, dhokla, khakhra, fruit, milk or tea are common choices.

Do all Jains follow the same diet?

No. Practice varies by sect and household.