The Growing Popularity Of Kashmir’s Street Food Over The Years
Image Credit: Kulfi | Image Credit: Pixabay.com

Kashmir has often been described as "heaven on earth," not only for its beautiful landscapes but also for its cuisine. There's a certain level of mysticism in Kashmir, making it stand out among other places. The food here is unlike any other cuisine in the world and includes a wide variety of dishes.  

Rice is a staple in Kashmir, just like its artwork and crafts. Now you know how terrific street food can be if you are a foodie, but sadly, not many are aware that Kashmiri food is much more than just Rogan Josh and Wazwan.

Kashmiri snacks are mostly vegetarian and relished by locals with much delight. The street sellers’ carts are flocked by people most of the time, but mostly during the evening hours. Kashmir's street food is extremely diverse and delicious, with Nadir Monji, Gaadi Monji, Tyil Karri, Busrakh, Seekh Tujhi, Paratha, Masale, Kulfi, and other favorites.

Nadir Monji, along with tilli kari (pea fritters), gandi pakori (onion fritters), gaer goji (water chestnut fritters), and mounji gaddi (a small fish snack), with the radish and curd chutney, has its origins in Kashmiri traditions. When visiting there, you must try all these varieties of snacks to truly experience the spirit of Kashmir.

Here is a food guide for Kashmir’s street food that must be tried when on a visit there:

  • Nadir Monji

Nadir Monji is a street food served on the streets of Kashmir that is made from lotus root and served with onion chutney and tamarind sauce. It's said that if you’re a genuine Kashmiri, you should be obsessed with lotus root. To prepare Nadir Monji, lotus stems are coated with gram flour and then fried in oil to make this delicious snack. 

  • Gaad Monjeh

Gaad Monjeh (fried fish) is the tastiest street food of Kashmir, where the fish is coated with a gram flour coating and secret spices and then deep fried in oil. It is served with radish and curd chutney. 

  • Tyil Karri

Tyil Karri (fried peas) is a light and salty snack made with peas. It is a welcome variant for people who don't like potatoes or can’t eat them. However, it fries in the same manner as a regular potato, but with peas at the core. 

  • Kruhun Masale

If you're craving Mexican food in Kashmir but don't want to break the bank, Kruhun Masale may be your answer. These tasty wraps consist of a roti (simply flour dough) filled with beef or chicken and then dipped into a tomato-based sauce. They're commonly served in newspapers and are relished by tourists and locals alike. 

  • Seekh Tujh

Seekh Tujh is nothing but barbeque meats cooked over hot red embers using skewers. It is served with a variety of chutneys and lavasa bread. "Tuji" barbeques in Kashmir are popular with tourists who enjoy properly seasoned and marinated boneless meat bits served from a live charcoal grill. This is a popular street food in and around Kashmir that you should try on your next visit.

  • Masaala tsot (chickpea wrap)

When you’re strolling the streets of Kashmir, you will see street sellers carrying Kashmiri wicker baskets with masaal in them. This is a hot and gooey chickpea filling spread over fresh Kashmiri traditional unleavened bread called lavasa. 

  • Halwe Parath (Deep fried paratha with halwa)

Be sure to try this yummy street food that is a dessert. Halwe Parath is basically a paratha, or flat bread without stuffing, and is sold with yellow looking halwa, a mixture of semolina, ghee, and dried fruit that is fried to make it.

  • Kulfi with sewaiyyan

When you’ve done all your shopping and had lunch, one street food that you should eat to sweeten the taste of your mouth is kulfi with sewaiyyan. This street food in the valley consists of Kulfi served with delicious sewaiyyan. 

  • Basrak

Basrak, a sort of deep-fried savory pastry coated with sugar syrup, is a sweet treat for those who enjoy sweet things. You must stop what you’re doing and indulge in these sweet treats while loafing around on the roads of Kashmir.

  • Shangram

This is another to-die for sweet dish made from maida, semolina, milk, sugar, and ghee that is deep-fried. It is a delicacy that is usually eaten as a teatime snack at home, but it has recently been made available in luxurious bakeries, with additional ingredients like khoya and nuts.

There are plenty of food stalls in Kashmir to choose from. They are in the vicinity of schools, colleges, offices, and local shrines. These street food stalls are just like everywhere else in the world and are worth the visit.