9 Monsoon Street Foods That Will Bring Back All Your Childhood Memories

If there is one common memory that every kid brought up in India can relate to, it’s the thundering monsoons. Whether you are from the North, South, or Eastern side of the country, you’ve embraced the monsoons and everything that came with it. If you were brought up at the beachside, you probably remember the rolling clouds descending upon the sea ahead of you. If you lived on the hills, you probably saw your mother shutting all the windows as flashes of lightning streaked your skies. If there is one season that almost every Indian loves, it’s monsoon. Not only do we have fond memories of the season but we also have fond memories of sneaking behind our mum’s back to enjoy some sweet and savory street food. Let’s take a look at some street foods that will bring back your childhood memories:

1. Onion Pakora

Who can forget the sizzling smell of onion pakoras (onion fritters) wafting through their homes on cold monsoon evenings? That feeling of running inside the dining room with a towel wrapped around your rain-soaked hair, and diving into a plate of onion pakoras is truly one that cannot be matched. Or maybe you were the type of kid who would sneak away after school and sink your teeth into a plate of streetside onion pakoras with your friends? Whichever way one chooses to enjoy these pakoras, they truly were some of our favorite snacks back in the day and even today as well.

2. Ghewar

This delicious Rajasthani sweet is mainly made of ghee, maida, sugar, and milk but every Marwari mom and street food vendor will add their own unique ingredient to it. The creamy delicacy is enjoyed by people of all ages and is traditionally prepared around July-August for the festivals of Rakshabandhan and Teej. Little kids, in particular, are fond of this sugar-laden treat and the sweet is even claimed to have a calming effect on one’s mind.

3. Malpua

Malpua is one of the few street foods that’s known for being super sweet and filling at the same time. The delicious sweet is commonly prepared by crushing ripe bananas, adding water or milk, and flour. It is then seasoned with Cardamom, deep-fried in oil, and served piping hot. This street food is particularly popular during the month of Ramzan on the famed street in Mumbai, Mohammed Ali Road. Malupuas find their way from the tables of the simplest of folk to the richest of the city in Mumbai and the dish is much loved by all.

4. Samosa

Ah, the Indian Samosa. You cannot say the words street food without thinking of some “garma-garam” samosa. There were probably plenty of days when you came home and just craved the delicious snack really bad but couldn’t make it yourself. Fear not, the common samosa has so many iterations now that there are entire restaurants dedicated to just it. While the popular savory is usually filled with potatoes and onions, many states like Goa will include beef, pork, and other meats in their fillings. The beauty of the samosa is that it can be tuned in to suit your own personal tastes.

5. Bhutta

If there is one street food that captures the essence of a beachside treat, it’s the famous bhutta. The spicy and delicious Indian corn on a cob is a must-have regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, or anything else. This delicious street food can always be flavored as per the wishes of its consumers and is truly a spicy delight for all. Popularly found on beaches across the coast of India, this street food is much loved by all and super easy to recreate.

6. Jalebi

The delicious street food is not just popular in India, but in Arabic countries as well. Jalebis are everyone’s guilty pleasure and despite how unhealthy they are (low fat jalebis are not a thing), they are much loved. The sweet can be found everywhere from pooja thalis to streetside jalebi vendors and small sweet shops. In fact, the sweet is so popular, it has inspired Indian pop culture. Yes, the popular item song, “Jalebi Bai” is an odd but appreciated ode to the popular sweet.

7. Vada Pav

Vada Pav is the Indian brother of the famous Big Mac burger. And it is probably just as, if not more popular in the country. This popular street food is found on the streets of Mumbai and is much loved by many people in the city. In fact, the word “vada pav” is often synonymous with the city of Mumbai and Mumbaikars will often tell you that there is no vada pav like one that is prepared on the streets of Mumbai.

8. Momos

If you’re a bit of a health nut and prefer not to eat super oily or sweet street food, momos are the food for you. The yummy Tibetan-turned-Indian dish is extremely popular in many parts of the country. People from the diverse, multicultural cities of Bangalore and Delhi, in particular, have a huge demand for the delicious steamed street food. Momos are made by steaming dumplings filled with meat, vegetables, and/or cheese. The heat of the momos and the cool Bangalore breeze is enough to warm even the coldest of people!

9. Shimla Mirch Bhajiya

Another delicious and super easy to make monsoon street food is capsicum bhajiya. The scrumptious dish is made by deep-frying capsicum in flour that has been spiced with chilli, garlic, and turmeric powders. You can also deep fry chilies and potatoes with the same batter.

As the monsoons roll in this year, many of us may feel woeful due to the fact that it isn’t the safest time to eat street food. However, a lot of our favorite street foods can be prepared at home without requiring a herculean effort. Tell us which of these street foods is your favorite monsoon delight?

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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