23 places in India whose Local Food you can’t miss:
Food from around the country!! See that warm smile that has crept to your face and the drool that has started doing the rounds of your mouth? We’ve spotted a fellow foodie.
If you were a little disillusioned about what regional foodsare good and which you could travel all the way across the country for, here is our comprehensive list for you. Keep yourbucket list ready and add any, some or all of the under to the list! Now! Read on and slobber some more…
If you were a little disillusioned about what regional foodsare good and which you could travel all the way across the country for, here is our comprehensive list for you. Keep yourbucket list ready and add any, some or all of the under to the list! Now! Read on and slobber some more…
1. Mumbai:
Every foodista’s paradise, Aamchi Mumbai! Dig into the best Bombil Fry, sandwiches, falooda, Frankies, the yummy Modaks and a delectable spread of sea food. Who can ignore the bhel puri and sev puri, which have come to be a facet of Mumbai itself! Gujarati,Maharastrian and Parsee influence couple up to rock every foodie’s world here. Enjoy the food as it comes and have a lot of fun.
2. Banaras:
Be it the sumptuous spread of various kinds of chaat, the ghee-dripping baati or the foamy, creamy goodness of the malaiyo, Banaras has something to delight every foodista! The Malaiyo, a winter speciality of Banaras, is prepared by leaving flavoured milk out for being tempered by the morning dew. Chowk, Godowlia, is your destination for this rich,Subah-e-Banaras experience. For the non-veg enthusiats out there, do not miss theChicken Tikka and Achari Murgh at Hotel Lallan, Madanpura. The steamy, buttery delight of the coal-roasted meat is an affair to remember.
Malaiyo
3. Delhi:
This one is an absolute stunner. Be itNahari or Haleem during Ramadan, be it the rich, succulent kababs and parathas inOld Delhi, be it the awesome Chole Bhature, or simply the golgappas, Delhihas something for every food lover. Having been home to people from all walks of life, Delhi stands in a class of it’s own – local food-wise! We assure you, you’ll run out of money AND space in your stomach if you get to exploring Delhi food in its entirety!
4. Arunachal Pradesh:
This is another one of those places in India which you should visit if you have a tongue for a different kind of cuisine. Different areas of the state have different preferences when it comes to food, but overall, apang, a rice beer prepared from fermented rice is a favorite beverage here. Rice, meat and fish form the centre of the food system here and none of the dishes will ever disappoint! Thukpa is anotherTibetan dish that is amazing, inArunachal!
5. Kashmir:
“Gar Firdaus bar roo-e-zameenast, Hameenast-o hameenast-o hameenast” (“If there is a Paradise on Face of the Earth, it is this, it is this, it is this“). This stands true for every single facet of the paradisaical land which we mortals callKashmir. Non-veg lovers, this is your Elysium. Try the Goshtaba (meatballs in a creamy gravy), Yakhni (lamb in a yoghurt-based gravy) or the famous Rogan Joshto get those juices flowing. Vegetarians, don’t be disappointed. Kashmir won’t turn you away unhappy. Try the Dum Olav (a potato specialty similar to the dum aloo) and Kashmiri tea for some soulful food love!
6. Hyderabad:
Hyderabadi cuisine is an amalgamation ofMughlai, Turkish and Arabic cooking styles garnished with touches of Teluguand Marathawada cuisines. Needless to say, this is a cuisine that has many layers to it. Try the several types of Biryani that the Telangana Capital has to offer, especially the Kachhe Gosht ki Biryani. Among other delicacies are the Haleem,Paaya, Hyderabadi Marag, etc. The sweetmeats from the land of food are a delight as well. You’re sure to come back from Hyderabad after having gained a kilo or two!
7. Rajasthan:
The state of colours, and the state of food-love! Bite into the most succulent of dishes like daal-baati choorma, various styles of cooking the yummy gatte, laal maas or kadhi or the honest-to-God, awesome sweet offerings like Balushahi,Ghevar and Gujia. Food is an important part of Rajasthan and that gives us even more reason to love it so!
8. Sikkim:
Momo lovers, unite and travel to Sikkimfor the most amazing, breathtaking, supple momos, straight from from Heaven. Although found in almost every corner of the country now, the North-East still holds the bragging rights to this one. The vegetable or minced meat-filleddumplings are served with a clear soup and a tangy hot sauce which will take your winter pangs away! Thukpa (Noodle soup with meat, eggs or vegetables) andPhagshapa (Pork fat stewed with vegetables) are other darling dishes to be gorged upon when one is at Sikkim.
9. Lucknow:
Awadhi Cuisine lies at the heart of Uttar Pradesh, waiting to mesmerize and enchant. Try the world-famous Tunday Kabab and come fall in love withLucknow!
10. Pondicherry:
A French colony in more than just the name, French cuisine lies at the heart ofPondicherry. Amazing South Indian as well as French cuisine mark the food goodness of this beautiful town. Food in the Auroville Cafeteria is simple, yet salivatingly good, so make sure you give it a try!
11. Puri, Odisha:
Every seafood lover’s paradise, this one. At Puri, you will find yourself indulging in a variety of seafood – fish, crabs, lobsters, you name it! What’s more, the beach town offers the best of Bengali and Oriya cuisine for seafood lovers. Strolling along the beach, sweets bathed in the sweetest of syrups await you. Gain a few pounds with the moist weather and the seafood indulgence. If you want some more sweet indulgence, try the prasaad at theJagannath Temple. Make sure you get a good taste of the khaaja. This is something you’ll go back there for!
12. Amritsar:
If there is one thing that Amritsar is known for after the Golden temple, it has to be the generous helping of flavor and richness it has on its menu. One just doesn’t leave the city without sitting for alangar, eating at Bharawan da Dhabha and tossing away even the idea of owning adiet plan.
13. Malabar, Kerala:
For lovers of an all-rounder cuisine style, Malabar is your dugout. From appamto Beef Kurumulakittathu to awesome duck preparations to different rice delicacies,Malabar has something for every food lover. Eat, eat and eat! Also, have a date with the special Kerala coffee when you’re there. That’s an affair you’ll truly remember.
14. Darjeeling:
Have momos or thukpa or have fish delicacies prepared to beat the cold or the lovely alu dum, Darjeeling is a food haven for its fusion of Bengali, British and North-Eastern influence. Try the quaint little cafes for delightful French and British foods that look like tongue twisters on the menu and taste like bites of heaven in the mouth. Delightful experience for all, food-wise! Also, if you love tea, look no further! Darjeeling not only owns acres of tea gardens, but also loves connoisseurs of good tea!
15. Goa:
Goa is one of those places that you visit for the whole package. Goan cuisine is awesome for many, many reasons. This one is essentially, a seafood-based cuisine that’ll leave you smelling your fingers for days after for the rich intensity of the flavors used. Coconut milk, tamarind and chilli get together to give you an experience you’ll remember until you are old and reminisce about the times you’ve been thankful for dear life. Seafood lovers may find a delectable spread of prawns, mussels, crabs, lobsters, mackerel, tuna and salmon to pamper those taste buds. Vindaloo and prawn curry are our recommendations when you want to embark upon a Goan food journey.
16. Visakhapatnam:
This beautiful town has a lot to offer, food-wise. You can try the awesome bamboo chicken (chicken cooked inside bamboo shoots) at the Tribal Museum and other non vegetarian delights on the way up toAraku Valley. Dosas and uttapams here are worth a shot!
17. Patna:
Though the defining Litti Chokha has finally made its way to the most metros’ street food scene, this one is classic enough to travel for. And guess what, they also throw in all time favorites likeSamosas, Kachori, Aalu Kachaalu, Bhooja,Ghughni Choora, Dahi Choora, Jhaal Moodhi etc, spicy enough to let you to skip to popular desserts like Peda andKalakand.
18. Gujarat:
If there’s some place in the country that makes the best vegan food out of things other than our precious green veggies, it is Gujarat. Dhoklas, Khakhras, Khandwis,Theplas and ghughra are our mantra of inner peace and contentment. Food is the most important part of a Gujarati household, and we’re thankful for that!
19. Mysore:
Like food? Head to Mysore. Period. The awesome Mysore Pak is sure a delightful offering, but check out the Dosa and Idlias well. Each dish is better than the last, I assure you (of course, dessert comes in last and that IS the best!).
20. Himachal Pradesh:
Himachali food is governed by rich, aromatic herbs and spices, abundant roti eating and some amazing dishes that will totally blow you away. Red meat is a big chunk of the food pie chart here. Some dishes to try out are Madra, Pateek and Chouck. Madra takes the cake, having been prepared with chickpeas, yoghurt, coconut and almonds. It’s cooked for hours to achieve the perfect consistency and aromatic taste. Make sure you try this one when you’re in Himachal!
21. Kolkata:
Inexpensive street food, sweetmeats and fine dining – all in a single city. Killer combo, I’d say! Dwellers and visitors alike would swear by the food that separates the City of Joy from the rest! Whether it is the Tibetan food in Tiretta Bazaar, theChinese-specializing Tangra or the street food in Dalhousie, Kolkata delights every food lover, every time! Moghlai Paratha(mince-filled parathas fried in an egg-batter), another Calcutta favourite, is a must-try when you’re in Kolkata!
Food tip: Try the Dum Aloo Phuchka atVivekananda Park and the Mutton Kabiraji Cutlet at Mitra Cafe, Golpark for the experience of a lifetime!
22. Chettinad, Tamil Nadu:
With a specialty it can call its own to a local cuisine that stands out with some of south’s most celebrated and even rare preparations. On you trip to Chettinad, don’t miss dishes like Chicken Chettinad, Kandarappam, Karupatti and many more such South Indian preparations you didn’t know about.
23. Assam:
Assam Laksa FTW. If you have a thing for non vegetarian food and if you like Tibetan and Chinese influences, Assam is worth travelling to. Good and inexpensive fish are widely available here and food never ceases to delight! If there’s one journey worth taking for food, it is this!
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