If you are a foodie with an ardent interest for street foods, then Indore will not disappoint you. The sights, smells and textures of the piping hot jalebis, turmeric yellow pohe and crisp namkeens are a big draw. Chappan Dukan, or 56 shops and Sarafa Bazar, are havens for Indore Street food lovers. If you’re confused about which Indore Street foods to savour, we’ve got you covered.
Please scroll down to read our list of the best Indore Street foods you must eat on your next visit to Indore.
Pohe Jalebi
Most families in Indore have pohe and jalebi as their go-to breakfast option. You can see several kiosks in the markets and lanes of Indore making brisk business in the mornings selling pohe and jalebi. Pohe is beaten rice tempered with turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves and other spices. Jalebi can be described as fried, crisp spirals made with flour dipped in a sugar syrup. This salted and sweet savoury combination is a must-have on your Indore visit.
Namkeen
You are spoiled for choice in Indore with an array of namkeen or savoury snacks. Known for their crisp and crunchy texture with a medley of spices, they are best for satisfying between meals hunger pangs. From sev (fried vermicelli), chana jorgaram (flattened chickpeas), chiwda (an assortment of chips, vermicelli, nuts and lentils) to other options. You will be amazed at the options and not know what to pick or skip. Akash Namkeen is a favourite when it comes to namkeens in Indore.
Chai
Meeting over beer is passé, and now Chai Sutta Bars are a rage in Indore. You will see families and friends catching up and conversing over several cups of tea. From elaichi (cardamom), masala (medley of spices), and plain to several other flavours, the piping hot chai is served in kulhads or earthen cups.
Tea Stalls
Dal Bafla
What ‘Dal Baati’ is to Rajasthan’ Dal Bafla’ is to Indore. This cereal pulse combination is a wholesome meal in a dish. Bafla are wheat balls that are first boiled and then baked and dipped in ghee (clarified butter). Dal is a lentil curry cooked and then tempered with curry leaves, turmeric and other spices. The baflas are soaked in piping-hot dal and served.
Dal Pakwan
Another cereal pulse combination famous in Indore is ‘Dal Pakwan.’ Pakwans are crispy poppadum-like flatbreads that are deep-fired. Dal is a Bengal gram curry where the split Bengal gram is boiled and tempered with mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves and a medley of spices. It is popular as a main dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will see a big patila (pot) of dal always simmering on a stall. A ladleful of dal is served with the crisp pakwan and garnished with chopped coriander leaves.
Dal Pakwan
Sabudana Wada and Khichadi
Traditionally preferred during fasting sabudana (tapioca or sago pearl-like translucent balls) is eaten even otherwise here. It can be made into a khichadi/dry gruel by adding potatoes, crushed peanuts that are tempered with curry leaves, and assorted spices. The other popular options are the wadas or fritters that are deep fried, crisp and golden brown.
Sabudana Wadas being fried and ready to eat @Rafiq Somani
Khopra Pattice
These are crisp golden-brown pattice or patties that are stuffed with a mixture of grated khopra (coconut), dry fruits and spices. The pattice are usually served with sweet and tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and dry spice masala powder. We tried the khopra pattice at Vijay Chaat House at Chappan Dukkan.
Dahi Bada
The badas are made of ground lentil balls that are deep-fried and then soaked in water. The water is next drained from badas, after which they are dipped in generous beaten dahi or yoghurt. They are then served with sweet, sour, spicy chutneys and garnished with chaat masala.
Kachori
This is disc-shaped, deep-fried snack with a crisp outer shell made with flour. The shell is stuffed with either sweet or salted fillings. The most common stuffing is a combination of moong dal (split green gram) and spices like chilli, cumin and others. The salted kachori is served with tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney and sprinkled with chaat masala.
Kachori served with assorted chutneys
Samosa
This is a triangular cone-shaped, deep-fried snack with a crisp wheat flour outer shell. The stuffing is usually mashed potatoes, boiled peas and mix of spices. Like kachori here, too, you can have them with sweet and sour chutney or spicy chutney or plain.
Kulfi
After all that spicy and fiery food, you can cool off your taste buds with ‘Kulfi’ or Indian ice cream. These are available in stick form, a matka/earthen pot, or as slices. Kesar (saffron), pista (pistachio), and malai (cream) are the flavours you can pick and choose from.
Kulfi
Chaat
Pani puri in six different flavours like garlic, mint, hing (asafoetida), amchur (mango), sweet, sour imli (tamarind) is a hot favourite. Crispy hollow fried dough balls or puris are stuffed with mashed potatoes, ragda (boiled peas) and dipped in the pani or flavoured water of your choice and served in small vatis or bowls. Bhel, sev puri, papdi chaat, kachori chaat, and Delhi chaat are other favourites. These chaats are a sensory overload for newcomers. But one bite, you will surely ask for more and lick your fingers after eating. That’s why they get their name ‘chaat’, which means ‘to lick.’
Best places to eat street foods in Indore
Sarafa Bazar is a jewellery market by day and serves street food by night. It is located near the Rajwada. Another favourite is Chappan Dukan, a cluster of 56 shops in the upscale Plasia area in Indore. This is a good choice if you want to try street foods during the day. The famous Vijay Chaat House, Aakash Namkeen and others have their outlets here. We explored Chappan Dukan during the day and were suitably rewarded with the sensory food delights of Indore street foods. As we left, we spotted a kiosk called Childhood Memories, selling an array of street fruits and berries we had when young. Imli (tamarind), ber (jujube), wood apple, star fruit, guavas, etc., left us drooling and nostalgic.
GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport: Indore has the Devi Ahiliyabai Holkar Airport with connectivity to major cities in India.
Where to stay: We stayed at the Indore Marriott Hotel. You can do a net search for hotels depending on budget and comfort.