Top 5 Street Foods That Will Leave You Craving for More

1. Pani Puri

A National Favorite

Pani Puri, also known as Golgappa in North India and Puchka in Bengal, is a beloved street food that has captured the hearts of millions. This snack consists of a hollow, crispy puri filled with a mixture of tangy tamarind water, spicy mint water, mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a medley of spices.

Ingredients:

• Puri: Made from semolina or wheat flour.
• Filling: Boiled potatoes, chickpeas, coriander, and green chilies.
• Water: A tangy mix of tamarind, lemon, and pepper.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that the average Indian consumes around 50 Pani Puris in one sitting? Source

2. Aloo Chaat

The Perfect Snack

Aloo Chaat is a versatile and easy-to-make street food that serves as a perfect filler between meals. This dish is made from boiled potatoes mixed with a variety of chutneys and spices.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes: Boiled and cubed.
• Chutneys: Tamarind or mint chutney.
• Add-ons: Chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, puffed rice, and peanuts or pomegranate seeds.

Recipe:

1. Boil and cube the potatoes.
2. Mix with chutneys, chopped vegetables, and puffed rice.
3. Garnish with peanuts or pomegranate seeds.

3. Pav Bhaji

A Meal in Itself

Pav Bhaji is a hearty dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, lunch, or dinner. It consists of a spicy vegetable mash served with buttered bun bread (pav).

Ingredients:

• Pav: Soft bun bread.
• Bhaji: A spicy blend of vegetables cooked in tomato gravy.

Recipe:

1. Butter the pav and toast it.
2. Serve with a spicy vegetable mash made from potatoes, peas, tomatoes, and spices.

Interesting Stat:

Mumbai alone has over 50,000 Pav Bhaji stalls, making it one of the most popular street foods in the city. Source

4. Bhel Puri

A Mumbai Classic

Bhel Puri is a quintessential Mumbai street food that has gained international fame. This dish is a spicy mix of puffed rice, sev (chickpea flour noodles), and a variety of chutneys.

Ingredients:

• Puffed Rice: The base of the dish.
• Sev: Chickpea flour noodles.
• Add-ons: Chopped tomatoes, onions, and coriander.
• Chutneys: Green/mint chutney and tamarind chutney.

Recipe:

1. Mix puffed rice and sev.
2. Add chopped vegetables and chutneys.
3. Sprinkle with salt and chili powder.

5. Papri Chaat

A Flavor Explosion

Papri Chaat is a delightful mix of crispy fried dough wafers, spices, and chutneys. This dish is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients:

• Papri: Fried dough wafers.
• Chutneys: Sweet green chutney and yogurt.
• Add-ons: Boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and spices.

Recipe:

1. Arrange papris on a plate.
2. Top with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and chutneys.
3. Garnish with spices and yogurt.

Conclusion

India's street food is a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage. Each dish offers a unique blend of flavors and textures that leave you craving for more. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these street foods are a must-try.

For more delicious recipes, check out BetterButter.

References:

1. The Hindu - Why We Love Pani Puri
2. Mumbai Live - Best Pav Bhaji Places in Mumbai