Moong Dal

What Is Moong Dal?

Moong dal is the hulled and split form of the green mung bean (Vigna radiata). In Indian cuisine, "dal" generally refers to hulled, split legumes; moong dal is among the most common and quickest-cooking of these.

Since it's hulled, it has a yellowish-gold color and softens easily when cooked, to the point of being easily mashed. Being considered relatively easy to digest, it's often preferred in light soup and porridge recipes.

Nutritional Values of Moong Dal

100 grams of boiled moong dal contains about 105 kcal of energy, 7 g of plant protein, and 4.5 g of fiber. It is a source of iron and folate; since it's hulled, its fiber ratio is slightly lower than whole mung bean. Values are approximate.

How Should Moong Dal Be Consumed?

With its plant protein and fiber content, moong dal can be considered part of a balanced diet; being considered light and easily digestible, it is traditionally preferred in porridges during illness/convalescence.

This information is general; moong dal is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Moong Dal?

A good moong dal has yellowish-gold grains, whole, with a low broken ratio; pale packs or ones with off odors should not be preferred.

• Grains should be yellowish-gold colored and homogeneous
• Broken grain and dust ratio should be low
• Should not carry a moldy odor or moisture traces

How to Store Moong Dal?

Dry moong dal can be kept in a sealed jar in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 1 year. Boiled moong dal stays fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Using Moong Dal in the Kitchen

Moong dal is mostly used in Indian dal soups, in khichdi (a rice-lentil porridge), and in spice-roasted garnishes; it's also consumed sprouted as fresh sprouts.

Are Moong Dal and Mung Bean the Same?

They come from the same plant; while mung bean is whole and hulled, moong dal is hulled and split in two. Moong dal cooks faster and is considered more lightly digested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should moong dal be soaked?

Being hulled, it also cooks quickly without soaking; still, a short soak (up to 30 minutes) can shorten the cooking time a bit more.

What is khichdi?

It is a traditional Indian porridge dish made by boiling rice and moong dal together and seasoning with spices; it's generally considered light and filling.

Are moong dal and yellow lentil the same?

No, they are different plants; yellow lentil comes from Lens culinaris, while moong dal comes from the mung bean. Although appearance and cooking times are similar, the taste and texture are slightly different.