India is blessed with diversity which encompasses vibrant cultures, languages, traditions, and lifestyles. Yet, out of all that stands apart are the delectable cuisines found in each region of the country.
If you’d like to explore India like a local, there is nothing better than trying out the famous street foods. From North to the South, each state has its unique popular food and cooking style that overflows with rich flavor.
With a total of 29 states in India, here are the most famous and lip-smacking street foods from each of them.
1. Punugulu, Andhra Pradesh
Found across the state, Punugulu is common street food in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a deep-fried snack made with idli or rice batter, urad dal (black gram), and spices. The batter is mixed with onions, coriander, and a small amount of yogurt before giving it a round ball-like shape.
Punugulu is served either with the peanut or the traditional coconut chutney. These crispy fritters are crunchy from the outside and soft inside.
2. Thukpa, Arunachal Pradesh
Originally from Tibet, Thukpa has become one of the most popular street foods of Arunachal Pradesh. The noodle soup is prepared using thick boiled noodles, vegetables or meat and strong spices. Not only is the soup extremely delicious, but healthy and filling. It is a perfect winter food and shields one from the chilly weather.
The soup has become so well-known that it is also found in other states aside from Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Khar, Assam
Khar is an Assamese dish, one that is completely off-beaten and unique. It has an unusual combination of pulses, red rice, raw papaya, and traditional Assamese spices. It also uses the ingredient called, Khar, a name similar to the dish. Khar is obtained by filtering water from the ashes of sun-dried banana peel.
The Khar becomes an alkali and gives a refreshing aroma and taste to this street food. Additionally, there are other varieties of Khar available in Assam that are worth trying.
4. Litti Chokha, Bihar
The Bihari version of Dal Baati Churma of Rajasthan is Litti Chokha. It is one of the most loved and notable street foods of Bihar. The simplicity of the dish makes up for a hearty meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
The dish consists of Litti which is prepared with wheat balls. It is further stuffed with spiced and roasted gram flour. Chokha is a spicy curry that uses mashed potatoes and brinjals. Litti Chokha is accompanied by rich desi ghee that makes it an appetizing street food.
5. Fara, Chhattisgarh
Fara is an interesting street food of Chhattisgarh. Similar to a steamed dumpling, the only difference is that it uses rice as its batter. The rice dough, although easy to prepare, requires precise skills and practice.
Fara looks like a sausage or bao-bun, feels like a momo but the taste is very different. Nevertheless, a generous amount of this street food with chutney makes it delectable.
6. Chorizo or pork sausage chili, Goa
Chorizo comes from Portuguese cuisine and is a spicy pork sausage. This street food is filled with spice and considered to be one of the top delicacies to try out in Goa.
Along with pork, wine, garlic, and paprika go into the dish. The ingredients are then stuffed into artificial or natural casings and dried over smoke. What follows next is chopped vegetables added into hot water and the crushed chorizo. The sizzling and mouth-watering chorizo is ideal to eat with warm and soft bread (pao).
7. Dabeli, Gujarat
Dabeli hails from Gujarat and has its roots from Kutch. This street food is one of the most iconic not only in Gujarat but all over India. It appears like a burger or vada pav of Mumbai but tastes like no other.
This spicy and delightful snack has a sweet and spicy potato mixture. It is filled into a small burger bun also known as ladi pav. The dish is garnished with roasted peanuts and pomegranates, mixed with a variety of chutneys, and shev. The aroma of spices is heavenly and while many try to replicate it, the best dabeli is only found in Gujarat.
8. Bajra khichdi, Haryana
Bajra khichdi (porridge) is a hearty, nutritious but equally delicious food found in Haryana. The porridge is made of coarsely crushed pearl millet, Moong Dal (yellow split gram), vegetables, and basic spices.
Sesame oil or pure ghee is often added to Bajra khichdi to elevate the taste. The best way to enjoy the khichdi is by having lassi, pickled, jaggery, curd, and papad as your side dishes.
9. Sidu, Himachal Pradesh
While visiting Himachal Pradesh one of the most preferred street foods is Sidu. A local’s favorite, Sidu is a type of bread made from wheat molded with yeast. It is left to rise for at least four to five hours.
The yeast-induced soft bread is roasted and steamed for a few minutes. It is served with ghee, meat curry, green chutney, or dal. Sidu is the perfect winter snack and provides the warmth needed to battle Himachal’s cold.
10. Kalari Kulcha, Jammu and Kashmir
One of the prominent street foods of Jammu and Kashmir is the Kalari Kulcha. This dish is made from the Kalari cheese also known as Miash Krej which is only available in Kashmir. The round-baked bread is split open and topped with tomatoes, onions, and Kalari cheese.
It is believed that Kalari kulcha of Kashmir beats every other cheeseburger with its quality traditional cheese.
11. Jhalmuri, Jharkhand
Jhalmuri is a crowd-pleaser, one that cannot be overlooked especially if you are in Jharkhand. According to locals, this street food is equivalent to Mumbai’s bhel.
The on-the-go snack contains puffed rice added in a mixture of vegetables, spices, and bhujia. Jhalmuri also uses the special muri masala and mustard oil which transforms its taste completely. This yummy and light snack is available at every corner of the street in Jharkhand.
12. Akki Roti, Karnataka
Out of all the assorted street foods available in the state of Karnataka, Akki roti is one of the most underrated dishes. It is a spicy flatbread prepared from rice flour and served with coconut chutney or tomato gravy. A dressing of carrots, onions, and green chilies gives it an additional flavoring.
A favorite item for breakfast and evening snacks, Akki roti is found at the majority of the street stalls in Karnataka.
13. Parippu Vada, Kerala
Parippu vada or simply called dal vada is a crunchy appetizer enjoyed in Kerala. It is made from Toor dal (split pigeon peas) and cooked along with ginger, dry red chilies, shallot, and curry leaves.
The delicious Parippu vada is best enjoyed with tea, especially during the rainy days. The spicy, crispy vada is a one-of-a-kind street food in Kerala.
14. Poha Jalebi, Madhya Pradesh
Poha is a flattened rice dish while jalebi is a sugary dessert. The unusual fusion of two incompatible dishes is only found in Madhya Pradesh. It is exquisite and the most sought out street food in the state.
Served with sev, nukti and generous amounts of poha and jalebis, this food creates a filling breakfast. The mix of sweet and salt is a treat that should not be missed while visiting Madhya Pradesh.
15. Vada Pav, Maharashtra
It is hard to choose one street food that represents Maharashtra due to the variety available. But Vada pav stands out from the rest solely due to its classic taste and popularity in the other states as well.
The best vada pavs come from Mumbai which is famous for its local roadside stalls. The vada is made with a spicy potato filling which is deep-fried in a gram flour batter. The pav or bread is cut into half where the potato filling goes, topped with hot garlic chutney. It is impossible to stop at one with this simple yet addictive snack.
16. Kelli chana, Manipur
Kelli chana comes from Manipur and locals prefer it for afternoon snacks. The chana was originally made from chickpeas but now generally uses spicy yellow peas. Along with it, Indian spices and veggies are mixed and served on a lotus leaf.
The aroma of the lotus leaf enhances its taste. Kelli chana is a treat and is usually savored with a cup of tea on the side.
17. Jadoh, Meghalaya
Jadoh is a type of biryani made in Meghalayan style. The red hill rice is cooked along with pieces of pork and regular spices. But, pork is not the only meat used as sometimes the rice is relished with chicken or fish.
The distinct taste of this khasi version of Biryani can be tasted in Meghalaya. It is an authentic cuisine which is usually eaten by the locals in the morning during festivals.
18. Arsa Buhchiar, Mizoram
Arsa Buhchiar is more than a street food in Mizoram as it included in a local’s staple diet.
The food is a form of chicken porridge, similar to the ones found in other northeastern states. Along with chicken, rice, vegetables, and local Mizo herbs are cooked together. Arsa Buhchiar has a mild taste but nonetheless taste delicious.
19. Kinalas, Nagaland
Naga cuisines generally comprise a variety of meat compositions. Kinalas is excellent proof of Nagaland’s street food comprising meat. The delicious and savory broth is known to be comfort food.
Kinalas is a noodle dish that makes use of either boiled beef or pork head. After the meat becomes succulent, the soup is topped with a brown sauce or gravy and few herbs.
20. Guguni, Odisha
Most tea-time snacks are accompanied by Guguni in Odisha. This famous street food is made from dried yellow peas, black grams, or dried white peas. It is cooked in a traditional East Indian style gravy and tends to be mildly spicy. Guguni is served with puffed rice (kurmura) and at times even with hot onion fritters.
The tangy and spicy guguni makes up for Odisha’s appetizing street food.
21. Chole Bhature, Punjab
Chole Bhature is relished not only in Punjab but all over India. This mouth-watering street food is prepared using luscious chickpeas added in spices and vegetables. The bhature is a deep-fried Indian flatbread.
Chole Bhature is one of the top dishes of India that opens up your taste buds.
22. Mirchi Bada, Rajasthan
Also called Mirchi Vada, this simple and spicy street food is best found in Rajasthan. Traditional Mirchi badas are made from green peppers stuffed with a savory potato mix and coated with gram flour. It is deep-fried and topped with a tangy tomato sauce.
The overflowing taste of spices in Mirchi Badas makes it one of the popular street foods of Rajasthan.
23. Momos, Sikkim
Momos are one of the best street foods in the country, but the tastiest ones come from Sikkim. Momos are South Asian steamed dumplings that are stuffed with minced meat, or vegetables. The cover is made of white flour dough and water.
It is served with a fiery chili sauce, chutney, or thukpa soup.
24. Kothu Parotta
Kothu Parotta is originally from Sri Lanka but Tamil Nadu has successfully transformed it into delicious Indian street food. The dish has varieties of parottas like vegetables, chicken, and egg. While egg parotta has scrambled eggs the chicken parotta is served with Salma gravy.
No matter which variation you prefer, your Tamil Nadu trip is incomplete without having a taste of Kothu Parotta.
25. Pindi Vantalu, Telangana
Pindi Vantalu is a crunchy South Indian delight and a specialty of Telangana. It is prepared with either yellow split gram (moong dal) or rice flour. In other regions, it is also called murukku or chakri.
The crunchiness of Pindi Vantalu makes it a preferred street food in Telangana.
26. Pork Bharta, Tripura
One of the most desired street foods of Tripura is pork bharta or wahan mosdeng. This pork delicacy uses boiled pork pieces which are mixed with chilies, onions, coriander leaves, ginger, and a specific plant leaf. Those who don’t prefer pork substitute the meat with chicken.
This easy to prepare and the tasty dish can also be eaten with rice.
27. Aloo Tikki Chaat, Uttar Pradesh
Aloo Tikki chaat is a flavorful street food in Uttar Pradesh. Crispy potato cutlets are cut into small pieces and mixed with spicy and sweet chutney. It is then garnished with sev and onions.
No matter the season, the evergreen Aloo Tikki chaat can be enjoyed as a fulfilling snack.
28. Aloo ke Gutke, Uttarakhand
Aloo ke Gutke is a famous Kumaoni dish in Uttarakhand. The primary ingredient used are potatoes which are cut into cubes, fried in mustard oil, and seasoned with coriander and red chilies.
The street food looks similar to chaat but tastes different yet equally delicious. Aloo ke gutke is often accompanied with hot piping tea.
29. Mishti Doi, West Bengal
One of the most tempting and tasty fermented sweets comes from West Bengal. Mishti Doi follows a careful process to gain the perfect taste. Milk is boiled and thickened before sweetening it with sugar. It is then left overnight to ferment. Mishti Doi is prepared and served in earthenware as the water evaporates quickly.
The thick dish gives a sweet and sour taste all at the same time and leaves you craving for more.
These finger-licking and palatable street foods from each state are the pride of India. Which street food out of all gave you massive hunger pangs?
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