There is no denying the fact that North East India is a melting point of diverse culture and culinary delights. With ample influences from the neighbouring states and nations, the city of Guwahati in Assam has developed some unique and delectable foods that are a rare find anywhere else in the country. Let us help you unravel some of the must-try and the best street food in Guwahati that you should not miss.
Assamese cuisine in Guwahati brings together rich ingredients and cooking traditions. This implies that you will be offered a plethora of unique street food options that range from mild to pungent to distinct and even strong. Dive into the world of amazing flavours as you get to explore the local street food culture of Guwahati.
What are the Most Famous Street Food Options in Guwahati?
While the real taste of scrumptious Assamese cuisine is best enjoyed at households, leading restaurants, and famous eateries of Guwahati, street vendors come only second when it comes to tasting the divine local flavours of the city. On the streets and lanes of Guwahati, you can imagine having a hot, soothing blend of natural spices and local herbs along with other rich ingredients.
Here are some of the best street foods in Guwahati that people like to indulge in:
1. Momos
The scrumptious Momos originated in Tibet while being enjoyed by individuals of almost every age group across the globe. Momos are one of the most popular street-side dishes in Northeast India. In Guwahati, it is common to spot a number of street food vendors and carts selling this delicacy with an assortment of side dishes.
From traditional Momos to steamed versions to even deep-fried variations, Momos have become quite a popular snack amongst both the locals and tourists alike. On most street-side food stalls, Momos are typically served with old-style sweet, spicy chilli sauce. In addition to a wide range of vegetarian options, you will also encounter Momos stuffed with unique ingredients like shrimps, mushrooms, pork, and chicken in Guwahati.
2. Rolls
A roll serves to be a delectable combination of delicious veggies, eggs, meat, onions, and a wide range of sauces. All the rich ingredients are wrapped together in a maida parantha. In the domain of rolls, paranthas prepared by mixing eggs with the dough and filled with meat depict the ultimate show-stoppers amongst the locals. As a matter of fact, rolls are the most convenient and fulfilling meal options that you can have while taking a stroll across the lanes of the city.
Rolls are quite popular across Guwahati. The people here love having rolls as their favourite evening snack. You can easily come across immense variations in the types of rolls served across street-side stalls.
3. Chowmein
A plate of chow-chow or chowmein is too irresistible. Hawkers across Guwahati offer Chinese-style chowmein on the streets of the city. This Indian-style noodles recipe features a unique flavour. The flavours of Hakka Noodles and Chowmein are quite distinct, as the latter is prepared by tossing lots of onions, chillies, cabbage, and a myriad of sauces and spices.
In some cases, you can also encounter unique versions of Chowmein featuring eggs and meat. Chowmein is mostly served with chilli and tomato sauce along with slices of raw onions. Several iconic eateries and street-side stalls offer this delicacy. You can come across egg chowmein, chicken chowmein, and vegetarian chowmein.
4. Puchka
Puchka is one of the most sought-after street food items that is highly savoured by the locals and tourists alike. Puchka is a must-have delicacy, whether you try the traditional Puchka featuring potatoes and peas filling dipped in tangy tamarind water or high-end ones available with other water types.
As you take a bite of puchka, your mouth will experience an amazing burst of flavours. Irrespective of how spicy the dish is, you always want more. It is also quite customary to request extra puri from the street food vendor while having this delicacy.
5. Jhalmuri
Chaat is quite a prevalent street-side dish across India. As such, Guwahati is no exception. Jhalmuri, a famous type of spicy chaat, is prepared by mixing an array of ingredients like puffed rice, onions, nuts, herbs, and a wide range of flavourful chutneys. The entire amalgamation is mixed with mustard oil to impart a rich, strong flavour.
The dish is highly favoured by the locals of Guwahati. In addition to Jhalmuri, the people here also love other street-side delicacies like papdi chaat and bhel as these are easily consumed and totally hassle-free.
6. Poori Torkari
Another scrumptious dish on this list is the famous Poori Torkari. Poori is available as a deep-fried Indian bread served hot with Torkari or rich potato curry. Poori Torkari is a staple local dish of Guwahati that has been a part of the local cuisine for years. The rich combination remains quite popular across the city. It is a famous local dish that you should not miss out on.
7. Thukpa
The local delicacy not only satisfies your sudden hunger pangs but delivers a sense of warmth and cosiness along the chilly settings of Guwahati. Fragrant with ginger and lemongrass, along with a fish sauce, this Tibetan-influenced noodle soup is rich with flavours, melding deliciously into your umami.
Thukpa is a complete meal in itself. You can have it either vegetarian or featuring shredded pork, chicken, or even prawns. The dish is deliciously garnished with fresh herbs and spring onions. The diverse range of flavours and textures fill your soul.
Conclusion
The breathtaking views of the tea plantations and scenic beauty all around are not enough to describe the beauty of the city. While this city has so much to offer, the street food of Guwahati
