Here’s how you can find the real modak on delivery apps

Ukadiche modak | Photo Credit: Prabalika M Borah Everything that is sold as modak is not really a modak. Making the most of the festive season, when everyone talks about one festive goodie — the sweet that is supposed to be Ganesha’s favourite, modak — dessert brands and mithai shops are not letting go of this opportunity. Sweets shaped like modak are being sold as modak. From besan and motichoor to mava laddoos, sweets are getting a new shape.Promotions include ‘free modak’ samples on your quick e-commerce delivery. When I saw six free modak pieces on offer, I was overjoyed. But when the delivery arrived and I ripped open the box, it turned out to be peda shaped like modak. The following day, I received another box of ‘modak’, and this time it was besan laddoo shaped like modak.Intrigued, I searched for modak on Swiggy. The options went far beyond mithai — chocolate, vanilla, kaju, mawa, rava, and rasmalai modak cake, and even a modak photo cake!What is modak?Modak, or Ukadiche Modak, is a dumpling made of cooked rice flour dough with a filling of grated coconut and jaggery, then steamed. Rice flour is added to boiling water with salt, stirred until it comes together, and then kneaded to get a fine dough. A small portion of the dough is flattened into tiny discs, which are then stuffed with the coconut-jaggery filling, shaped, and steamed. Ukadiche Modak is a Maharashtrian speciality; in Tamil Nadu, this traditional sweet is known as Kozhukkattai.Eateries selling the traditional Ukadiche Modak on food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato include Mahamudra, Arambham— Flavours of South, Thalaiva Biryani, Pure Protein Meal, Swaramajaan, Faasos, and Sweet Truth.To get the right modak — and not sweets or desserts merely shaped as modak — search for ‘Ukadiche Modak’. Don’t be surprised to see the same image of Ukadiche Modak on Swiggy and Zomato across different restaurants. Most places likely outsource from a central supplier who travels to the city from places like Ratnagiri and Pune to prepare modak during the Ganesh utsav. Published - September 15, 2026 02:12 pm IST