Page 48 - Connect 2024-25

Western Indian Cuisine: A Fusion of Flavors Mumbai’s Street Food: Mumbai’s street food is an
Western India, which includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, integral part of the city’s culture. Food trails here might
Rajasthan, and Goa, is a melting pot of culinary include stops at Juhu Beach for bhel puri, Churchgate
traditions. The region’s cuisine ranges from the fiery for vada pav, and Mohammad Ali Road for kebabs and
dishes of Rajasthan to the sweet and tangy flavours of sweets during Ramadan.
Gujarati cuisine.
Kolkata’s Street Food: Kolkata’s street food scene is
Key Ingredients and Techniques: Western Indian renowned for its variety and flavours. The city’s street
cuisine varies widely from state to state. Gujarati food trails often include puchkas, kathi rolls, and jhal
cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, with dishes often muri (spicy puffed rice mix).
combining sweet and savory flavors, like dhokla and
thepla. Rajasthani cuisine, influenced by the arid climate, Cooking Classes: Learning to Cook Indian Dishes
includes dishes that can be stored for long periods, such Cooking classes are a popular activity among culinary
as dal baati churma and laal maas. Goan cuisine, tourists, offering a hands-on experience in learning to
heavily influenced by Portuguese colonization, features prepare traditional Indian dishes. These classes often
seafood and pork dishes cooked with coconut milk and include a visit to a local market to buy fresh ingredients,
spices. followed by a cooking session led by a local chef.

Signature Dishes: In Maharashtra, vada pav (a spicy Rajasthan Cooking Classes: Rajasthan’s cooking
potato fritter sandwich) and pav bhaji (a spiced vegetable classes often focus on traditional dishes like dal baati
mash served with bread) are iconic street foods. churma and Rajasthani curries. Many classes are held
Rajasthani cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors, in heritage homes or havelis, adding an extra layer of
with dishes like gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumplings in cultural immersion.
curry) and ker sangri (a desert bean and berry dish).
Goan cuisine offers unique dishes like vindaloo (a spicy, Kerala Cooking Classes: Kerala is famous for its use
tangy pork dish) and bebinca (a multi-layered dessert). of spices and coconut in cooking. Visitors can learn to
make dishes like fish curry, appam, and avial (a mixed
Popular Culinary Destinations: Mumbai’s street food vegetable dish) in traditional Kerala cooking classes.
is legendary, with visitors flocking to the city to try vada
pav, bhel puri, and pav bhaji. Jaipur offers an authentic Goa Cooking Classes: Goan cooking classes often
taste of Rajasthani cuisine, while Goa’s beachside include lessons on preparing seafood dishes and
shacks serve fresh seafood and traditional Goan fare. learning to balance the unique sweet, sour, and spicy
flavors of Goan cuisine.
Culinary Tourism Experiences: Immersing in India’s
Food Culture Food Festivals: Celebrating India’s Culinary
Culinary tourism in India goes beyond just tasting the Diversity
food; it’s about immersing oneself in the entire culinary Food festivals are a great way to experience the
culture. From visiting bustling markets and learning to diversity of Indian cuisine in one place. These festivals
cook traditional dishes to attending food festivals and bring together food from different regions, offering a
exploring farm-to-table dining, India offers a wealth of smorgasbord of flavours and culinary traditions.
experiences for culinary tourists.
National Street Food Festival: Held in Delhi, this
Food Trails and Street Food Tours: Discovering festival showcases the best of Indian street food, with
India’s Vibrant Street Food vendors from across the country participating. It’s
Food trails and street food tours offer an immersive way a fantastic opportunity to sample street foods from
to explore India’s diverse culinary scene. These tours different regions without leaving the city.
typically take tourists through the heart of a city’s food
district, where they can sample a variety of local street Goa Food and Cultural Festival: This festival
foods. celebrates Goa’s unique culinary heritage, with a
focus on seafood, traditional Goan dishes, and local
Delhi’s Street Food: The bustling lanes of Old Delhi beverages. The festival also includes live music, dance
are famous for their street food, offering everything performances, and cooking competitions.
from spicy chaat to succulent kebabs. Chandni Chowk
is a must-visit for anyone interested in tasting authentic
North Indian Street food.

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