Foods and Beverages of Varanasi
Varanasi is famous for following categories of Foods and Beverages. So, whenever you visit Varanasi, you should enjoy it. Those Foods & Beverages are as follows:
- Street Foods: Varanasi is known for its street food, which is a great way to experience the local flavors and culture.
- Sweets: Varanasi is famous for its sweets and desserts, such as Jalebi, Kulfi, and Kachori.
- Vegetarian food: Varanasi is a major center of Hindu pilgrimage and as such most of the population is vegetarian.
- Non-vegetarian food: Despite being a predominantly Hindu city, there are still some options for non-vegetarian food.
Street Foods
Varanasi is known for its street food, which is a great way to experience the local flavors and culture. Some of the most popular street foods in Varanasi include chaat, gol gappa, and samosas.
Chaat is a popular street food that comes in many varieties, such as pani puri, dahi bhalla, and aloo tikki. These are made from a combination of different ingredients such as potatoes, chickpeas, and yogurt, and are usually served with tamarind or mint chutney.
Gol gappa, also known as pani puri, is a popular street food consisting of a small, round, hollow puri filled with a mixture of flavored water, tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion or chickpeas.
Samosas are triangular-shaped fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils.
Sweets
Varanasi is famous for its sweets and desserts, such as Jalebi, Kulfi, and Kachori.
Jalebi is a deep-fried sweet that is made from wheat flour and is often served with rabri, a sweet condensed milk.
Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream made from reduced milk and flavored with cardamom or saffron.
Kachori is a deep-fried pastry that is often filled with lentils or vegetables. These sweets are a must try when in Varanasi, they are often sold in street vendors and sweet shops.
Vegetarian foods
Varanasi is a major center of Hindu pilgrimage and as such a majority of the population is vegetarian.
The city is famous for its traditional vegetarian food, such as dal bhaat tarkari, kachaudi, and lassi.
Dal bhaat tarkari is a dish made of lentils, rice and vegetables.
Kachaudi is a deep-fried pastry filled with lentils and spices.
Lassi is a popular yogurt-based drink that is often sweetened with sugar or flavored with fruit.
These dishes are easily found in street vendors and restaurants throughout the city
Non-vegetarian foods
Despite being a predominantly Hindu city, there are still some options for non-vegetarian food. Some of the popular non-veg dishes include Tunday Kabab, Biryani, and Kebabs.
Tunday Kabab is a famous dish made of minced meat, that is marinated and then grilled on skewers.
Biryani is a dish made of rice and meat, it can be found in many restaurants throughout the city.
Kebabs are another popular non-veg dish and can be found in many street vendors.
These dishes are often made with lamb, chicken or fish and are usually served with chutneys or dipping sauces.