Indian snacks can be characterized in a very assorted and flavorful category. The variety of snacks differs in all the regions of India as people have different tastes and preferences. Snacks play a very important role in daily life as they can be consumed anytime at home as well as while traveling. If you visit any part of India through India tour packages try to get a bite of the famous local snacks also call Desi Foods . Let us know about some of the well-known snacks available in various regions of India.
10 Popular Indian Snacks You Must Try
Here is a list of Indian snacks to try during your trip to India.
Kahwa Chai – Kashmir
Kahwa Chai is a popular beverage in Kashmir. It is prepared by infusing green tea leaves in hot water along with some aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, cloves, and almonds and adding sugar, jaggery or honey according to the taste and preference. This mixture results in the formation of an exquisite drink that provides comfort in the cold weather and is also good for digestion. The Kahwa chai is served as a welcome drink for the guests as it reflects Kashmiri’s traditional heritage.
Kullu Trout – Himachal
Kullu trout is a traditional dish of Himachal Pradesh as freshwater fish like trout is easily available in abundant quantities in this region. The dish is prepared by first marinating the trout filets in a batter made of red chili, turmeric, and ginger-garlic paste and then grilled in an open flame griller so that the fish tastes like a smoky and earthy flavor. It is generally served with steamed rice and roti along with other side dishes. The dish represents the simplicity and the cultural identity of the Himalayan residents.
Chaat – Delhi
Delhi ki Chaat is a mouth-watering street food in India that will tantalize your taste buds with a balance of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors. There are various types of chaats like papri chaat which is prepared by combining the crispy fried dough wafers with potatoes, chickpeas, Chaat masala, and chutneys, aloo tikki chaat is prepared by combining crispy potato patties with chutneys, sev, Chaat masala, yogurt and other spices whereas dahi puri is prepared with a combination of small hollow puris filled with potato, boiled white peas, Chaat masala, sev, yogurt and chutneys. When you visit Delhi don’t forget to get a bite of the chaat from the street vendors.
Kachori – Rajasthan
Kachori is a staple snack that showcases the culinary heritage of Rajasthan. It is prepared by making a dough of all-purpose flour and wheat flour which is kneaded with oil or ghee and rolled into small circles using a rolling pin and board. Further, it is filled with a filling made of moong or urad dal, lentil paste, asafoetida, fennel seeds, chili, and other spices and finally deep fried in oil and is served with different types of chutneys or yogurt. Savor this Indian snack which denotes the creativity and originality of Indian cuisine.
Petha – Agra
Petha is a delectable sweet dish basically made in Agra. It is a translucent white candy made of ash gourd. The dish is prepared by peeling off the ash gourd, cutting it into rectangular cubes and boiling it in a sugar syrup until it becomes translucent. This is available in various flavors like saffron, rose essence, and paan essence. It is a must-try snack for tourists visiting Agra.
Kebabs – Lucknow
Kebab is a mouthwatering Mughlai dish made in Lucknow. There are a variety of kebabs like Galouti kebab, Patili kabab, and Tunday kebab. Kebab is made with a blend of minced meat and various spices, which are marinated and shaped into round structures and then cooked on a flat grill or in open flames. The kebabs are served with Rumali roti and green chutney. Don’t forget to relish the authentic kebabs when visiting Lucknow.
Litti Chokha – Bihar
Litti chokha is a traditional dish of Bihar. It is made using wheat flour mixed with herbs and spices which is given the shape of balls and roasted over open flames until they turn into smoky and crunchy balls.Chokha is prepared by boiling or roasting potato, eggplants, and tomato and then mashing them, further chokha is prepared by adding spices, mustard oil, garlic, onion and herbs to the mashed vegetables. Liti and choka are served together with different chutneys. This mouthwatering dish signifies that a simple snack can be so flavorful.
Ghugni Chaat – Bengal
Ghugni chaat is a delectable snack available at the roadside stalls of Kolkata. This is cooked with boiled white peas and a mixture of spices, tomato, onion, garlic, ginger, chilies and garam masala.The Ghugni is then garnished with coriander leaves, tamarind chutney and sev and served as a snack. Relish this flavorful Ghugni chaat that showcases the unique street food culture of Kolkata.
Momos – Sikkim & Darjeeling
Momos are delicious snacks from Sikkim and Darjeeling. It can be of various types like vegetable momo, chicken momo and paneer momo. It is made by preparing dough of all-purpose flour and filling it with a mixture of vegetables, chicken paneer or meat. Momos can be prepared by frying or steaming and is served with Schezwan sauce which enhances the taste of momo. These delectable momos are a must-try snack when visiting Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Kutchi Dabeli – Gujarat
Kutchi Dabeli is a popular snack item for the Gujarati people. It is made by preparing a potato filling by combining mashed boiled potatoes with red chili powder, turmeric powder, tamarind chutney, fried peanuts, and special dabeli masala. Then this potato filling is placed inside a round-shaped bun called pav and then garnished using pomegranate seeds and sev. This is a noodle-like structure made from gram flour. Finally, it is served with tamarind and garlic chutney. It’s a must-try dish when visiting Gujarat.
Conclusion
The mouthwatering and best snacks in India represent the diverse culinary skills of Indian people. These traditional dishes of India are rooted in the age-old recipes created by our ancestors. Many Indian snacks have gained international recognition due to their varied flavor and taste. Some Indian snacks are consumed on special occasions while some are served with tea in an Indian household. So when you visit the different regions in India make sure to savor the delectable snacks.
