16 Must-Try Traditional Snacks from Across India | NFCI

Street Snacks in India | Street Food | Taste of India 

India is a land of rich culinary heritage, where diverse cultures have infused unique flavors into its cuisine. Every region boasts its own traditional snacks and flavors, passed down through generations and shaped by history. If you are planning a tour across India, each state will offer a distinct taste of traditional snacks and a culinary experience deeply rooted in its culture.

Let’s know 16 must-try traditional Indian snacks that can have at any time of the day!

1. Maharashtra Traditional/Street Evening Snacks:

   

   Peanut chaat masala made with pressure-cooked peanuts, chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, chaat masala, and lemon juice. Puran Poli, a sweet flatbread with a sweet filling, is another popular option. And the popular Maharashtrian street food is Vada Pav or Poha that are enthusiastically enjoyed by the people in Maharashtra.

2. Goa Traditional Morning Snack:

   

   Rassa omelette which features an egg omelette in spicy chicken xacuti gravy, served with pav.

3. Northeast Street Snacks:

   

   Samosa, Kachoris, Aloo Tikkis and Steamed momos with fillings like paneer, mashed potatoes, meat, and cheese and finely chopped vegetables in Punjab and Northern States in India.

4. Madhya Pradesh Morning Snacks:

   

   Bhutte ka kees, made from grated corn cooked with green chilies, ginger, and coconut, topped with coriander and spices, healthy breakfast dish option in Madhya Pradesh. Other than this there are healthy breakfast street snack options, poha, especially Indori poha with fennel seeds and pomegranate seeds, is also a good option. These are the some of the most famous traditional snacks from Madhya Pradesh that are commonly found on Indian streets.

5. Punjab Street Evening Snack/Food:

   

   Dahi Bhala papdi aloo chaat, a tangy and nutritious snack made with creamy yogurt boiled chickpeas and potatoes. Mathri crackers made from flour, salt, oil or ghee, and black peppercorns.

6. Kashmiri Street Snack in J&k:

   

   Nadur, Beasrakh, Tosha, are the popular street snacks, there are a variety of street delicacies to pick from, including Harissa, masale tsot, nader monje (nadru) and tutje. Each snack has a distinct flavour and texture, making it an excellent choice at any time of day in Kashmir. Kalari Kulcha is a must-try traditional snack in Jammu.

7. Uttar Pradesh Evening Snack:

   Chaaat, kachori, kulfi falooda, aloo Tikki and Tehri, a mix of rice, vegetables, and spices.

8. Himachal Pradesh:

   

   Babru a popular snack in Shimla Himachal Pradesh and Siddu, a local steamed bun with fillings like ghee and walnuts.

9. West Bengal Sweet Snack:

   

   Nolen gur payesh (Rosogolla), and kheer at streets in West Bengal, including Dodhi Vandar in Gangarampur and Balaram Mullick is very famo in Kolkata.

10. Gujarat all time favorite Snack:

    

    Khakhra, a crispy flatbread made from wheat flour. Ganthiya, a soft, deep-fried chickpea flour snack. Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish.

11. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka:

    

    Murukku, a twisted, spiral snack made from rice flour, urad dal, and spices.

12. Andhra Pradesh:

    

    Pootharekulu, a sweet dish made from rice batter, ghee, and powdered sugar, often with dry fruits.

13. Uttarakhand:

    – Lagdi
    A popular Uttarakhand snack made from wheat flour and a sweetener like jaggery
    Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside

    – Bal Mithai
    A brown chocolate-like fudge made from roasted khoya and white sugar balls

    – Gulgula
    A sweet snacks made from jaggery that originated in the Garhwal region, can be eaten as a snack or dessert. Kafuli, a dish prepared with spinach and fenugreek leaves.

14. Tripura:

    

    Chakhwi, a main course dish made with pork or chicken and bamboo shoot.

15. Assam:

    Khar, a mixed vegetable stew made with sun-dried banana peel and various vegetables.

16. Odisha:

    Dalma, a dal loaded with vegetables like raw papaya, pumpkin, drumstick, and raw banana.

In this blog, there are traditional snacks mentioned in every state of India’s culinary landscape, is as diverse as its culture, and these 16 traditional snacks showcase the rich flavors and heritage of different regions.

Whether you’re savoring the tangy chaat of Uttar Pradesh, the comforting dalma of Odisha, or the crispy murukku from the South, each bite tells a story of tradition and local essence. Exploring these delicacies is not just about tasting food—it’s about experiencing India’s vibrant culinary heritage.

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