India offers a great gastronomical fare to the average traveler. Foreigners coming to India have praised the Indian cuisine and have repeatedly claimed that the country is a paradise for anyone looking to experience a medley of flavors and culinary textures. Indian foodies too have earmarked destinations over the year where they swear by the food. Here are our top picks in the country.
Street food at Chandni Chowk. Photo from Flickr
Chandni Chowk, Delhi: a visit to Delhi’s old city area is worth every penny you spend there. The area offers some of the best street foods of North India. Enjoy the chaat, aloo tikki, paani puri, jalebi and kulfis sold on the streets here. A visit to the infamous ‘paranthewali gali’ is also warranted. Here you will find stuffed paranthas of all types.
Chokhi Dhaani, Jaipur: the boutique resort in Jaipur is built up in the form of a rural village. Witness the traditional Rajasthani hospitality at this place and enjoy the rich and spicy cuisine of the state. The dal, baati and choorma are most famous in the area. Do sample onion kachoris too while you are in Jaipur.
Bhrawan Da Dhaba, Amritsar: this wonderful little eating joint in Amritsar, near the Golden temple, offers mouth watering stuffed breads popularly known as Amritsari Kulcha. While here, try out the traditional kesar phirni and the sweet lassi too.
Sadar Bazar, Agra: the Sadar Bazar area of Agra is famous for its Petha and the traditional Mughlai food. Enjoy creamy roasted meats in saffron and cardamom flavored spicy curries replete with ground dried nuts and fruits. Check out their Bedai and Jalebi too.
Lalbagh, Udaipur: the Laal Maans and Missi roti in the Lalbagh area is simply to die for. You will want to come back again even if the mutton preparation brings tears to your eyes. This spicy preparation is a great treat for those who enjoy good food. Top it up with kesar jalebis or matka kulfi sold abundantly in the region.
Nehru Road, Kolkata: Kolkata is famous for mouth watering street food on a budget. Kolkata kathi rolls are famous all over the country, but visit this place for the traditional Daab Chingri, a headless shrimp preparation in coconut. This subtly spiced dish with a delicate and velvety sauce goes well with both breads and rice.
Kathiawad, Gujarat: the sweet and spicy foods of Kathiawad are not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you develop the taste for this food, you will really love it. While in the region, taste the famous Gujarati Kadhi, Khama, Khandvi, Shrrekhand and Dhebra. Order an elaborate Gujarati thali and enjoy the flavors of Gujarat.
Phadatare Misal Kendra, Kolhapur: this small but well equipped eating joint serves up a storm in a plate. Enjoy the super spicy misal (a local kolhapuri snake preparation). If you are averse to snakes as a food option, you can order the special Kolhapuri chicken or mutton too.
Choupati, Mumbai: the Mumbai Choupati is well known throughout the country and Bollywood has a big hand in it. Choupati offers a taste of all kinds of street foods. Enjoy paani puri, bhel puri, vada pao and pao bhaji when you are there.
Kovalam, Kerala: if you enjoy seafood, Kovalam in Kerala offers you the perfect palate. Sample the finely spiced kingfish or the delicately spiced tiger prawns. The seafood here is served with a tamarind and tomato based drink called rasam and parboiled rice.
Oh yes Pani Poori at the chowpati beach (Mumbai) brought tears to my eyes, but if you tell them they do make it less spicy.
Rasam is one of the favourite drinks (with rice and fish curry) in Kerala and rasam is good for health too.
nice list for a foodie!!
I can swear by Chandni chowk , not to miss parathewali gali . Also Kathiawad for authentic gujarati dishes .
Interesting list .