The soul of India is not only rich in culture and heritage but also diverse when it comes to food. The names of the dishes might sound familiar. However, the taste makes it distinct from the rest of the delicacies.
The Unit I and II market of Bhubaneswar serves as a perfect spot to go on a food crawl with friends. Here is a list of street delicacies we tried that you can try too:
Gup Chup
Start with India’s staple and most favourite street food. The west calls it Panipuri, the north as Golgappa, Puchka in Bengal and Gup Chup in Odisha. This light and delectable street food can be easily found anywhere across Odisha. You can either go for the usual style or have it with Dahi instead. The taste will surely boggle your mind.
Where: Stall next to the Bharat Petroleum Station, Unit II Market.
Cost: 20 INR per plate for regular ones & 40 INR per plate for Dahi one
Dahi Bara with Aloo Dum
As odd may it sound, it tastes exceptionally well. The blend of Dahi Bara’s sour taste with spicy Aloo Dum comes out well together. It is the second most popular street food of Odisha and serves as a perfect summertime snack. You can effortlessly locate a Dahi Bara vendor on the streets of Odisha. All you have to do is to spot the crowd!
Where: Near the Bata Showroom, Unit I Market.
Cost: 20 INR per plate
Mix Chaat
It might not be an Odia delicacy. However, it was something unique that I came across. The Chaat was a mix of several sprouted pulses along with chopped onion, tomato, coriander and spices. It was different from a regular sprout chaat and was liked by all of us!
Where: Unit II Market
Cost: 20 INR per plate
Papdi Chaat
Another Odia delicacy with a twist. The crispy papdi is served with Aloo Dum and loaded with toppings like coriander chutney, tamarind chutney, chopped onions and bhujiya. The amalgamation of sweet, sour and savoury is what makes it so popular among the locals.
Where: Inner lane, Unit II Market
Cost: 20 INR per plate
Egg Roll
It is not just any regular roll but an entire boiled egg covered in a crisp layer of besan (gram flour). The serving comes with chopped onions and coriander. Serves well as an evening snack!
Where: Unit II Market Main Road
Cost: 20 INR per plate
Lemon Masala Tea
The vendors might call it Lemon Tea but don’t let the name fool you. A refreshing drink popular among the locals. You can easily spot a vendor carrying two large vessels and tiny disposable cups. The tea is in the form of liquor, served with lemon juice and special spices. It might not tempt you at first, but eventually, you will fall in love with the taste.
Where: Inner lane, Unit II Market
Cost: 10 INR per cup
Desserts
Head to a dessert shop to try out the famous Chenna Poda and Khaja. Chenna Poda is one of the most liked desserts in Odisha. It is made using fresh homemade Cheese and baked for hours until it turns brown. The sweetness is very balanced and is a must-try when in Odisha. Khaja, on the other hand, is crispy and deep-fried. The crunch is what makes you want to have more. However, if you don’t want to indulge in your sweet cravings, then you can also try the savoury one.
Where: Shree Cuttak Sweets Stall, Bapuji Nagar Main Street, Unit II
Cost: 75 INR – 200 INR
I bet this has got your taste-buds tingling! Also, if you wish to spend a few more days in Odisha, here’s what all you can do.
