The street food scene in Varanasi is as rich and diverse as its history. As a matter of fact, Varanasi is as old as the time itself. As the foundation of the Aryan Culture came into existence in the city, the concept of non-vegetarian delights is not that common in Varanasi. As such, a majority of residents of the city follow a strict vegetarian diet with exceptions in some communities.
Street food in Varanasi is influenced significantly by nearby states and regions, including Bihar and West Bengal. Your trip to this historic city is incomplete unless you savor the must-have street food delights the city has to offer. As the city is frequented by thousands of national as well as international tourists from all parts of the world, the local cuisine here is a spin-off between local and international. You must try out some of the hand-picked street food stalls and eateries that are renowned for offering unparalleled taste to the visitors.
What are the Best Street Food Items in Varanasi?
While you can come across several street food delicacies across several parts of the nation, nothing can beat the unmatched taste of local delights of Varanasi or Banaras. The holy city is located on the banks of River Ganga and its streets are defined by diverse culture and food.
If you are craving some local delicacies in Varanasi, you must try out its street food grandeur. Some of the must-have street food items in Varanasi are:
1. Kachori Sabzi
It is one of the most popular breakfast dishes that is highly sought-after across Varanasi by both locals and tourists. In Varanasi, you can relish the taste of two types of kachoris, Badi Kachori & Choti Kachori. The larger variant or Badi Kachori is typically stuffed with a spicy filling prepared out of lentils. It is known as Dal ki Pithi.
On the other hand, Choti Kachori features a spicy mashed potato filling. Both the flavourful kachoris in the city are served along with an aromatic, tangy Aloo curry or Sabzi. The curry is usually prepared with a myriad of ingredients, including cloves, black pepper, and other spices. Dry red chilies and green chillies are also added to the curry to make it spicy and delectable.
2. Choora Matar
This street food delicacy is regarded as the Varanasi version of the famous Poha Chiwda of Bihar and Poha of Maharashtra. The popular snack item is prepared by soaking flattened rice in desi ghee and frying the same with spices. Green peas are also added to the mixture to enhance the taste.
Some famous street food vendors and eateries in Varanasi go ahead with experimenting with the recipe to include saffron and raisins as well to boost its taste. Some additional spices like hing and garam masala are also added to make it more flavourful. The fact that makes this snack item a popular street food delicacy in Varanasi is that no onions are added to the mixture, in contrast to the Bihari and Marathi counterparts. To the given mix, some vendors also add cream or milk to elevate its overall texture.
3. Dahi Chutney Gol Gappe
The dish is also popularly known as Meethe Gol Gappe. It is a spicy and sweet variant of the standard Gol Gappe famous across North India food. The local dish is loved by children and adults alike. Crispy, wafer-like Gol Gappes are filled with an interesting array of flavourful waters and other spices.
To make the dish stand out, the local street food vendors in Varanasi add curd-infused tangy chutneys, pudina, and other spices. To elevate the taste even more, sev is added on top of the dish. Some food stalls also sprinkle pomegranate as a flavourful garnishment. Crispy and delicious, these lightweight snacks offer a burst of flavours as you take a bite.
3. Baati Chokha
Baati or Litti Chokha is a popular delicacy in Bihar. The dish makes up for a taste delight in Varanasi as well. Wheat dough balls are stuffed generously with roasted chana dal and a whole lot of spices inside. The stuffed balls are referred to as baatis or littis. These are eventually roasted over charcoal.
Littis or baatis are dipped generously in desi ghee and served with flavour-rich chokha. It is a spicy mixture of basic ingredients like boiled potatoes, green chilies, eggplant, tomatoes, and spices.
5. Tamatar Chaat
It is a local version of the famous aloo chaat in Varanasi. Tamatar chaat is prepared out of a mashed mixture of boiled tomatoes, potatoes, fresh coriander leaves, and green chilies. It is a mouth-watering spicy chaat that is highly sought-after across-the-street food stalls of the city.
Additional spices like red chilli powder, pounded ginger, and garam masala are also infused into the dish to make it fiery and delicious. The delicacy is usually served in a dona, a bowl made out of plant leaves.
Conclusion
Varanasi is a well-famed tourist and pilgrimage city in North India. In addition to the beautiful ghats of Ganga, the tourists here are welcomed by the myriad of street food delicacies that are hard to resist. As you start your day with a hearty breakfast, there are several more options to try out in Varanasi to fulfill all your culinary cravings.
To enhance your experience of taking up the culinary adventure in the city, you can also order food online in Varanasi and have your delicious treats in the comfort of your home.
FAQs
1. What is street food like in Varanasi?
The street food scene in Varanasi takes ample inspiration from influences from the surrounding areas and its rich history. Therefore, it is common to find local delights that resemble the cuisine of neighboring states.
2. What are some must-try street foods in Varanasi?
Varanasi is home to some of the most scrumptious street food delicacies that are highly sought-after by both tourists and locals alike. Some of the must-have street foods in Varanasi are chola samosa, kachori samosa, baati chokha, and so more.
3. Where can I find the best street food in Varanasi?
The historic city of Varanasi is known for its narrow lanes and streets dotted with a myriad of street food stalls serving some of the most delectable items. The entire city features the presence of popular eateries and stalls that take you by surprise with their culinary offerings.
4. What time do street food stalls open and close in Varanasi?
The best part is that most stalls in Varanasi open up quite early in the morning to help you start your day with a hearty breakfast. You can enjoy the street-side delicacies until the late hours of the evening.
