Gulab jamun and ras malai are two of India's best-known milk-based desserts, but they're very different. Gulab jamun is a soft ball made from milk solids, deep-fried and soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. Ras malai is a spongy disc of fresh cheese (chenna) soaked in sweet, thickened milk.
In short: pick gulab jamun if you want something rich, syrupy and cake-like. Pick ras malai if you want something cool, creamy and milky. Both are on our dessert menu, and you can order either one as a single piece.
What is gulab jamun?
Gulab jamun is made from khoya (milk that's been cooked down into solids), shaped into small balls, fried until deep golden brown, and then soaked in sugar syrup. The syrup is often scented with cardamom or rose. The result is soft, a little spongy and very sweet, with a texture somewhere between a doughnut hole and a soaked cake.
Ours is Shahi Gulab Jamun. "Shahi" means royal, and it signals a richer version of the classic, built on khoya for a fuller milky flavor.
What is ras malai?
Ras malai starts with chenna, a fresh cheese made by curdling milk. The chenna is shaped into flat discs, cooked until spongy, and then soaked in rabri, a sweet, thickened milk. Traditional ras malai is flavored with saffron and cardamom and topped with nuts. The name roughly means "juice cream," a nod to the juicy discs sitting in creamy milk.
It's lighter than gulab jamun, less syrupy, and usually served chilled.
Gulab jamun vs. ras malai at a glance
- Base: gulab jamun uses khoya (cooked-down milk solids); ras malai uses chenna (fresh curdled cheese).
- Cooking: gulab jamun is deep-fried; ras malai is not.
- Soaked in: gulab jamun sits in sugar syrup; ras malai sits in sweetened, thickened milk.
- Texture: gulab jamun is dense, soft and cake-like; ras malai is spongy, light and juicy.
- Sweetness: gulab jamun is the sweeter of the two; ras malai is creamier and more delicate.
Which one should I order?
If you're new to Indian sweets, gulab jamun is the easier first step. It's familiar in a "warm, sweet, syrupy" way that most people like right away. If you enjoy milky desserts like tres leches or rice pudding, you'll probably love ras malai.
Can't decide? Order one of each. We sell both as a single piece, so it's easy to try them side by side. For sharing, get Shahi Gulab Jamun (2 pieces) or Ras Malai (3 pieces).
Tip: after a spicy meal like a Mysore masala dosa or chole bhature, ras malai is especially refreshing.
Are gulab jamun and ras malai served for festivals?
Yes, both are classic celebration sweets. Gulab jamun in particular shows up at weddings, birthdays and holidays like Diwali, and ras malai is a festive favorite too. Our post on Diwali party food has ideas for a full spread.
Does the thali come with dessert?
Yes. Every version of our Punjabi thali comes with a gulab jamun to finish the meal. Read more about what's on the plate in What is a thali?
What other desserts do you have?
Because we're inside BITES Food Court + Bar, our dessert menu also includes options like carrot cake, triple chocolate cake, tiramisu, caramel tres leches, New York cheesecake, fresh-baked cookies and ice cream. Gulab jamun and ras malai are the traditional Indian picks. See them all on the full menu.
Are gulab jamun and ras malai vegetarian?
Yes. Everything at Ananda Kitchen is vegetarian and made in our dedicated vegetarian kitchen. Both are dairy-based, so they aren't vegan. Ras malai is traditionally topped with nuts, and our kitchen uses dairy, nuts and other common allergens, so if you have an allergy, please tell the counter before you order.
Can I order Indian sweets for a party?
For Diwali gatherings, birthdays and pujas, dessert makes a party feel complete. Order ahead online, or call us at (410) 381-0011 for larger quantities. See our catering page for savory trays to go with them.
Where to get gulab jamun and ras malai near College Park
Ananda Kitchen is inside BITES Food Court + Bar at 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center. Parking is free.
We're open daily 11am to 9pm, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Add dessert to your pickup order. Most orders are ready in about 30 minutes.
