Banaras street food: Devour these delicacies to make the most of your winter

Winter in India is synonymous with food and many will agree. There are certain places that serve the best street food and it is the perfect time to hog onto these delicacies. One such city is Uttar Pradesh’s Banaras. Also called Benaras or Varanasi,  the city is considered to be the spiritual capital of India and it draws thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. 

Banaras is also known for the street food variety it has to offer. From kachodis to thandai, the city is a heaven for foodies. 

During this time of the year, Banaras is sizzling with the most scrumptious winter-special delicacies. Now, finally, after a long, scorching summer, it is the perfect time to devour all that the foodies have been waiting for. Here are a few street food recommendations that you cannot miss. 

Kachori sabzi 

This dish makes for the most popular breakfast option in Benaras. There are two different types of kachoris- badi and choti kachori. Badi kachori is stuffed with masala made of lentils and choti kachori is stuffed with a spicy potato mixture. It is served with a spicy curry recipe on the side and is best eaten hot and sizzling.

Makhan Malaiyyo

Makhan Malaiyyo or Nimish is a popular winter street dessert. For the unversed, it is inspired by the Persian way of cooking. Milk froth is flavoured with saffron and cardamoms. It is then garnished with pistachios and almonds. This creamy froth is served in kulhads and will definitely melt in your mouth. 

Lassi 

Banaras produces lots of milk and curd. This is why it is used in almost every street food preparation. Benarasi thandai is made from seasonal fruit puree. Lassi is also very common and is available at almost every other street shop.

Baati Chokha 

Baati Chokha, which is a popular snack in Bihar makes for a tasty street snack in Varanasi too. Baati is a wheat ball which is stuffed with sattu and Chokha is a mash of brinjal and potatoes mixed with various spices.

Tamatar chaat 

This version of Banarasi chaat is made entirely with tomatoes and is only found in this city. In this, tomatoes are mixed with various Indian spices, including hing, pounded ginger, green chillies and spices. Boiled potatoes are also added to this spicy mixture. It is served in a dona along with chaat masala.