11 Yummy Local Food And Beverage Items You Must Try On Your Next Trip To Goa
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 vide... read full bio
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Goa is a state that is best known for its green hinterlands and sparkling yellow sand. The beautiful aquamarine waters of the Arabian sea line the coastline, and its boutique beach shacks add a charm of its own. Goa is also a significant jewel in the gastronomic travelers’ belt. Since it is shaped by a history of Portuguese and Indian rule, the cuisine is absolutely exquisite. If you’re planning on visiting this culinary paradise, then we’ve got a list of some scrumptious and authentic Goan food and beverage items that you must try on your next visit. From delicious vegetarian foods to yummy non-vegetarian dishes, here’s a list of quintessential food and beverage items to try on your next vacation to Goa:
1. Bimbli Pickle
If you’re someone who is a major lover of all things pickle, then this is a must-have pickle for you. The Goan Bimbli pickle is a staple part of the vegetarian Goan’s plate, and it is even cherished as a side dish to be eaten with fish and rice. It is sour, sweet, spicy, crunchy, and makes for a wonderfully flavorful addition to many curries.
2. Ghottaam Chem Sansav
This scrumptious curry uses ripe mangoes to prepare a mildly spicy but tangy and sweet flavor. The dish is made with spices, grated coconut, and some sweet mangoes. It is served with steamed rice and sol kadi.
3. Sol Kadi
Sol Kadi is one of the most famous drinks to come out of Goa. It is made of Kokum, coconut milk, and Aamsol. This drink is so popular because it is wonderful for cooling down one’s digestive system after they’ve loaded up on spices. Kokum is known for being a natural remedy for acidity and indigestion issues.
4. Prawn Balchão
Prawn balchao is served as a side dish to white rice or even spread on toast. Like bimbli, it is a pickle and is composed of a fiery chili and tomato sauce. The pickle is also infused with coconut toddy vinegar and caramelized onions.
5. Poee
Of all the good things that the Portuguese brought along with them, we have to say that the delicious poee bread is the most famous. This delicious Goan bread is the perfect accompaniment for a delicious dish of chicken cafreal or some pork vindaloo. It is made using local toddy as it is a natural source of yeast and gives the bread its character.
6. Kokum Juice
Kokum is a plant that belongs to the mangosteen family. Its ruby-toned fruits can be juiced as well as dried, and it yields a delicious and sour taste. Kokum is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and is a refreshing way to beat the summer heat. It is also great for digestion and is usually served to cool off after munching on a spicy meal.
7. Pork Vindaloo
The term Vindaloo is derived from the Portuguese words for wine (vinho) and garlic (alho). This spicy but exquisitely delicious dish is made from pork, red wine, and garlic. However, Goans substituted the red wine for vinegar and tagged more chili peppers and spices. Goans have taken the dish and turned it into their very own. Making this dish takes very long, and the pork needs a good forty-eight hours to marinate fully.
8. Crab Xec Xec
This delicious thick roasted crab curry is made using strong spices like tamarind and cloves and grated coconut. Usually served with poee, or rice, the dish is an absolute favorite of seafood lovers across the state.
9. Kingfish Rava Fry
Kingfish is a major delicacy in Goa and is adored by plenty of seafood lovers. One of the most popular preparations of this dish is in rava fry. To fry kingfish with rava, you need to lightly coat it in semolina so that it forms a crisp exterior and an even more juicy interior.
10. Bebinca
Bebinca is a scrumptious multilayered cake made out of coconuts, eggs, and milk. Although the dish requires fewer ingredients to make, it is quite a tedious task to prepare it. The dessert is exclusive to Goa and much loved by those who visit the state. You can enjoy it with vanilla ice cream or caramel custard.
11. Feni
Feni is another thing that is absolutely exclusive to Goa. This spirit is produced by using the first extract of the cashew fruit. Cashews were brought to the Indian subcontinent thanks to the Portuguese. Another popular iteration of this drink is coconut feni (or toddy) that is derived from the coconut palm and is more popular in the South of Goa (and the south-western coast of India).
And there you have it, a list of must-have food and beverages when you visit Goa. We guarantee that you will enjoy at least one of these food items and sing their praises to everyone you meet. Do let us know which of these dishes you’ve tried and which of these you are looking forward to trying in the comment section below!
