"The Taste of Banaras's Food"
The Taste of Banaras's Food
Banaras is one of the oldest cities in the world and it is inhabited since ancient times. Most of the people visit Banaras to visit the temples of Banaras, to explore the Ganga river and its ghats, they take boat rides in the Ganges, meet & see the life of sadhus and some try to discover themselves in the spirituality of city. You have any reason to visit Banaras but one thing which everyone does is eat food. To experience the essence of the city you have to try the street food of Banaras. The food is an integral part of Banaras’s culture. Banaras’s street food is influenced by the different parts of India and the world. It evolved with time but kept its original flavors.
There are food points nears ghats and on every other street of the city. Some of the streets are popular for one particular food and shop. With time and an increase in the number of western tourists, you will find several cafes and restaurants serving continental cuisine. Most of these continental restaurants are near the ghats of Ganga.
While as the name suggests street food is available on streets of Banaras. When in Banaras try some traditional street of food. You can do a self-guided tour or maybe can take a guided tour.
There are so many dishes you can try but here is my list of some of the must-have dishes from the street food of Banaras. You will not feel disappointed and conversation around these food stalls will help you understand the food culture of Banaras.
The food of Banaras got influenced by different parts of India. From ancient times people from other parts of India are visiting the holy city of Kashi.
We are reminded of what once Mark Twain told about the city, “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Banaras is known for its cultural heritage, ghats and its spiritual vibe. What many do not know is that it is also known for a delectable array of street food.
The best food in the oldest city of the world is not found in fancy restaurants, but in the small eateries hidden in the galis or alleys of Banaras. The food is cooked in pure desi ghee (Indian Clarified butter) or mustard oil, made with a lot of love. While a lot of things are famous and can be found anywhere, there are some delicacies which are best eaten at some places.
Even though people often visit Banaras for religious pilgrimage, the awesome street food of the city converts it into food pilgrimage. Atleast for me, it did! Beware!Your taste buds might get activated. On the other hand, if you’re a foodie and love to experience food in various places, this city is for you. Banaras is an excellent place to try some mouth-watering street food.
Street foods of Banaras represent the true essence of the city’s culture and cuisine. Banarsi Paan is the most recommended when in Banaras. Try Mallaiyo, Kachori sabzi, Jalebi, Tamatar Chat, Laung-Lata and you will fall in love with the city again and again.
So here is a list of food without which I think no Banaras trip is complete!
Best
Street Food In Banaras
1. Kachori Sabzi
Kachori Sabzi
is a popular breakfast available here in Banaras. The kachori is either stuffed
with dal ki pithi i.e. masala made of lentils or with a spicy potato masala.
These Kachoris are served with a spicy aloo ki sabzi. This adorable combination
is very essential.
Where to eat: Chachi ki Dukaan in Lanka, Thatheri Bazaar and Kachori Gali
2. Safed Makhan Toast
An early
morning breakfast of Safed Makhan Toast with chai is a great way to start your
day. Locally sourced bread is toasted over a coal oven and freshly made yellow
or white butter is spread generously over it. The toast is either served with a
pinch of chaat masala or sugar depending on your preference.
Where
to eat: Laxmi
Chai Wale Restaurant near Maldahiya
3. Channa Dahi Bada
Deep fried
bada made from channa is soaked in thick beaten sweet yogurt. This is then
garnished with masala, crushed black pepper, cumin and coriander among other
things. This perfect mix of sweet and sour is very light.
Where to eat: Deena
Chat Bhandar, Dashashwamedha ghat, Kashi Chat Bhandar, Godowlia Chowk, Kesari Chat
Dukan Lanka
4. Chooda Matar
Chooda Matar
is just a Banarasi version of Poha. Flattened rice is soaked in ghee and
stir-fried with fresh green peas and a variety of spices. Cream, milk,
coriander, saffron, and raisins are added to improve the flavor. Chooda Matar
is a light evening snack and you can enjoy it with a cup of hot masala chai.
Where
to go: Deena
Chaat Bhandar near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Kesari Chat Dukan Lanka, Gopal Mandir Gali
5. Laaiya Channa
Laiya Channa
is a snack made from soaked boiled Channa. It is similar to bhel puri; except
the puffed rice is substituted with channa. Boiled channa is mixed with masalas,
peanuts, chopped tomato and onion. This snack is usually served with chai.
Where
to go: Deena
Chat Bhandar,
Kesari Chat Dukan Lanka
6. Thandai
Thandai is
milk flavored with a variety of spices. Thandai is a refreshing and a filling drink. You can find different variants of the
Thandai on the streets of Banaras depending on the seasonal fruit. The most
popular version is the Kesaria Thandai of Banaras, which is known for its
unique taste. It is usually served without bhang unless you ask for it to be
added. Most popularly Thandai is also used to mix Bhang during
festivals like Holi.
Where
to go: Baba
Thandai, Godowlia
7. Rabri Malai Lassi
The Banarasi
Lassi is different from the Punjabi lassi. The local Banarasi Lassi is a
complete meal in itself. Hand-churned lassi is topped with a generous amount of
Rabri and Malai. This thick concoction is served in earthen pots with a
generous sprinkling of crushed pistachios.
Where
to go: Blue
lassi, Kachuri Gali Chowk, Banaras, Bangali Tola
8. Tamatar Chaat
Banaras has
its own version of the Aloo Tikki which is made using tomatoes. Hing, ground
ginger, green chilies, tomatoes are added to mashed potatoes. Chaat masala is
sprinkled on this preparation and it is served in Dona, which is a bowl made of
Palash leaves. You should absolutely try this Banarasi specialty while you are
here
Where
to go: Deena
Chat Bhandar near Dashashwamedha ghat, Kesari Chat Dukan Lanka
9. Banarasi Paan
Banarasi paan
is popular all over the world for its rich taste. When I am writing about
famous Banarasi Paan, I would like to remember song ‘’O khai ke paan Banaras
wala’’, which has been written for Amitabh Bachchan’s movie ‘’Don’’. The
Banarasi paan is made by stuffing paan leaves with betel nut, chuna, kiwam,
snuff, rose chutney, baba chutney, coconut, catechu among other ingredients.
Paan has a symbolic value here and is served in a special nawabi style. Enjoy
the exotic flavors of Banarasi paan during your stay here. Many variations of paan are available, like
meetha (sweet), Saada (plain), Zarda (tobacco) or kimam, a special paste that
gives an instant high (do not try as it makes first timers giddy and even
pukish).
Where to go:
Deepak Tambul Bhandar, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Keshav Tambul, Ravidas Gate, Rajendra Chaurasia
Paan, Chowk Thana
10.
Kulhad
Chai
Tea or chai is
as ubiquitous in Varanasi as its spiritual establishments. The refreshing chai
is served in earthen pots. The chai here is thicker than the normal tea and the
kulhad gives it a unique flavor. Enjoy a cup hot chai at the ghats of Banaras
while you’re here.
Where to go: Lakshmi Chaiwallah, Kashi Tea stall
at Assi ghat
11. Buniya
Buniya is made
during special occasion pujas or festivals and is served as prasad in most
temples in Varanasi. Tiny balls of gram flour are fried and soaked in sugar
syrup, making it extremely sweet and juicy. This delicious sweet should be a
part of your food journey in Banaras.
Where to go: Chir Sagar at Sonarpura Crossing
12. Launglata
This regional
delicacy is usually prepared during the festival of Holi, but you can find it
on the streets of Banaras all throughout the year. The crispy covering made of
pastry dough is filled with milk solids (mawa), nuts and sugar. This fried
delight is then soaked in flavored sugar syrup and served. One or two pieces of
these are enough to saturate your sweet tooth.
Where to go: Rajbandhu, Kachauri Gali Chowk
13. Baati Chokha
Baati chokha is very popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Baati chokha is one of the popular
foods found on the streets of Banaras. Baati is a type of Indian Bread with a filling
of chatpate sattu and is served with Chokna which is a mixture of mashed
potatoes, tomatoes, baked brinjal, and spices. You can find Baati Chokha almost
everywhere on the streets of Banaras as well as plush restaurants.
Where to go: Puran Das Road
14. Dahi Chutney wale Golgappe
This is the
sweet version of the traditional Gol gaapa and is also called meethe golgappa.
It is very similar to the to the papdi chaat, except the papdi is replaced
with crispy wafer-thin pooris. This popular Banarasi chaat is sold in almost
all the chaat bhandars in Varanasi.
Where to go: Deena Chat Bhandar, Kesari Chat Dukan Lanka
15. Malaiyyo
This delicious street food of Varanasi is
prepared from milk and served in small earthen cups called Kulhad. This dish has
Persian origins and is flavored with cardamom and saffron. It is garnished with
almonds and pistachios and sometimes served with flavored. It is so light and
frothy in texture that it melts in your mouth.
Where to go: Godowlia Chowk, Neelkanth and
Kachori Gali
16. Rabri Jalebi
The jalebis
or imartis are a sweet treat too excellent to miss. Try them with rabri and
you'll want to come back to Banaras for this one!
Where to go: Rabri
Jalebi
17. Aloo Tikki and Spinach Papdi Chat
Go to this place for some
amazing hot aloo tikki (potato patties with spices and chutneys). Try the super
awesome spinach papdi chat and the golguppas here. Even though I love the
tamatar chaat at Kashi, the one served by Deena Chat Bhandar is also very good.
Where to go: Deena Chat Bhandar near Dashashwamedha Ghat
18. Pizza
Pizzeria Vaatika is that beautiful
riverside cafe that serves up a storm and delights customers every single time!
Sit amidst the cool breeze and sip their coolers and order their lovely pizza
with the bustle of the lively ghat at your heels. This, I promise, is an
experience to remember.
Where to go: Pizzeria Vaatika, Assi Ghat
Banaras is a city of India that has been maintaining its
traditional food and dining practices even today. Street foods of Banaras are
served in utensils which are made from natural materials. While drinks are served in
Kulhads which are earthen pots made of mud, other food items are often served
on leaf-plates and leaf-bowls which are discarded after use.
Not only is this practice eco-friendly, as the discarded
utensils get and mixed with soil after decay. The food in Banaras reflects easily with its diverse culture and
traditions. Every tiny bit of Banaras reflects the unique
character of the city and you can’t help being amazed every minute you are
here. I would like to say that you should visit this city at least once.
We recommend you to take a Banaras food tour!
Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read.
For Kobo-
https://www.kobo.com/search?query=Ayurveda+Self+Healing
The second Book "Think Positive Live Positive: How Optimism and Gratitude can change your life" is available on Kobo and Instamojo.
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