Top 9 Mouth-Watering Indian Snacks You Need to Eat ASAP

Indian snacks are flavourful and unique, offering a sneak-peak into countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Sometimes referred to as chaat, meaning a savory snack, you have to try these nine irresistible Indian snack foods. Traditionally served at road-side trucks and food carts throughout India and South Asia, you’ll surely love these mouth-watering snacks.

  1. Samosa

    2. Nothing beats a quality samosa, stuffed with anything from spicy potatoes to ground lamb. These fried or baked pastries are typically triangular in shape, however, depending on the region, their size, consistency, and shape may differ. Often accompanied by a chutney, these are certainly a favourite around the globe.

  2. Dahi gujia

    3. Traditionally found in Northern Indian, this snack is often served at festivals and other large events. It is a sweet dumpling, typically stuffed with khoya, or milk solids, accompanied by dry fruit mixtures. With that being said, recipes vary, including everything from ginger to cashews, lentils to coriander seeds. Baked or fried, this snack is known for its half moon shape and is often served with yogurt.

  3. Pakora

    4. Variety is the spice of life, and in terms of pakoras, the sky is the limit. Made by taking one to two key ingredients, such as onion, potato, spinach, cauliflower, paneer, or even plantain, the ingredients are then dipped in a gram flour and fried. Depending on the ingredients used, the names will differ — for example, an aloo pakora is made from potato, whereas a palak pakora is made from spinach.

  4. Batata vada

    5. Popular in the west-central state of Maharashtra, this is a popular vegetarian fast food. Interestingly, ‘batata’ means potato in Portuguese — who initially introduced potatoes to India. The patty is made from mashed potato, coated with chickpea flour, and then deep-fried. Spherical in shape, this delicious treat is often served with a chutney.

  5. Kachori

    6. Popular throughout India and Pakistan, as well as other countries throughout South Asia, this spicy snack is a round delight that is stuffed and then baked. Most commonly, it is made using a fine flour pastry, stuffed with a mixture of beans, gram flour, chili peppers, black pepper, salt, and a range of other spices.

  6. Kati Roll

    7. Originating in Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal state, this street food is made of a skewer-roasted kebab, wrapped in a traditional flatbread, known as paratha. This dish has evolved into many variants and today, mostly any filling wrapped in an Indian flatbread is referred to as a kati roll.

  7. Momo

    8. Believed to be Tibetan in origin, momos are extremely popular in the northeast Indian state of Sikkim. In many areas, it is a common street food, whereas other regions showcase this dish as a restaurant staple. Made from a steamed bun, this snack is then filled with ingredients such as potato, cheese, vegetables, and/or different meats.

  8. Vada

    9. This savory fritter is a popular snack in South India, and is typically made with potatoes, onions, and lentils — however, many variations exist today. This snack may also be served as a variation of a dumpling or doughnut. Although an ideal snack, vadas are also often served as an accompaniment to another dish or as a breakfast staple.

  9. Punugulu

    10. A common street food in Vijayawada and other coastal districts of Andhra, this deep-fried snack is made with a rice batter, urad dal (split black peas) and spices. Typically crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, punugulu is often served with a peanut or coconut chutney After reading this list, your mouth is surely watering — so, what are you waiting for? If you’re looking for creative Indian snacks in the Greater Vancouver region, be sure to check out our menu.

The History of Samosas

A Tale of Love and Samosas

Today, samosas are enjoyed around the globe — but where did they come from?

At first glance, you may view samosas for what they are, a delicious snack. Once you bite into the crust, revealing complex flavours, you soon realize that its more than that. In many ways, it’s a historical food, showcasing cultural identity.

Although samosas are now commonly consumed around the world, this wasn’t always the case.

The History of Samosas

Although it would be great to say when the first samosa was stuffed and by whom, we simply do not have this information. We do, however, know the origin of the word itself. Being referred to in Persian literature, this triangular-shaped snack was known as sanbosag — which may very well translate to ‘lovely triangles.’

Although this snack was cooked over an open fire during travels, it is also described in the literature as a snack served within the great courts of the Ghaznavid empire. As you’d expect, the pastry would be filled with nuts, dried fruits and, of course, meats. By the 13th or 14th century, samosas were introduced to the Indian subcontinent by traders coming from Central Asia.

Just like today, throughout history, as various people and cultures moved across the land, they influenced those around them. As migrants made their way into India, the samosa would be transformed time and time again based on waves of new people.

Sure, this snack saw many varieties based on its use, but no one shaped samosas quite like those in India. Creating combinations to meet local tastes, spices such as pepper, ginger and coriander were thrown into the mix. Vegetables were also added, replacing much of the meat.

Perhaps that’s what is most exciting about the evolution of the samosa — it has seen many different cultures, and today, it continues to be one of the most trans formative snacks. Varying from region to region, depending on where you are in the world, or even within India, this treat will differ slightly.

This is based on both geography and historical events. As Old and New World ingredients collided, new variations were made. It’s said that peas are the only core filling ingredient that originated in India, as the Portuguese introduced the potato and green chili pepper.

At the end of the day, the samosa is much more than a snack. It symbolizes the ways in which cultural interactions shape our world, showcasing the true flavors of India, based on its vast history.