Pune is an energetic city in Maharashtra, famous for the variety of street food it caters to the masses. Of course, the city has not served just one scrumptious snack, but an array of delicious items that serve justice to the essence of this place. Here’s a list of must tries and street foods that make Pune heaven for foodies.
Misal Pav
It is an experience through the spicy gravy of mixed sprouts, topped with varieties of spices served over soft pav or bread rolls, Misal Pav. Normally prepared to serve garnished with onions, coriander, and a squeeze of lemon, it is served with crunchy namkeen on the side of the spicy gravy, which gives it a good satisfying feeling as it strikes right at the plate during breakfast time or as a snack anytime.
Vada Pav
Vada Pav often describes itself as Pune’s burger, putting a spicy potato fritter (vada) between two slices of pav, often with a chutney accompaniment and fried green chilies. It is a humble but tasty eat – a staple for many locals, bursting full of taste, which goes with its modest price tag. Its popularity has spread far beyond the borders of Pune, but the authentic taste served at the local stalls is unbeatable.
Dabeli
Dabeli is one of the most unusual street foods and it can be traced back to Kutch, but it is really a specialty in the city of Pune. A spiced potato mix that is placed inside a pav is then topped with tamarind chutney, pomegranate seeds, and roasted peanuts. The sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors of Dabeli make it an undeniably irresistible snack. Street vendors twist their Dabeli, so every time you are in for a surprise.
Pani Puri
The street food of Pani Puri is otherwise known as Golgappa or Puchka. This is a snack in the form of hollow puris filled with a mix of tamarind water, chickpeas, and potatoes. Popping the puris in your mouth while savoring the flavors bursting inside forms a significant part of this street food. The street vendors of Pune offer Pani Puri with different flavored waters so that each may be given its zing.
Pav Bhaji
This is a delightful mix of mashed vegetables cooked with spices, served with butter-toasted pav. This heart-warming dish is usually garnished with onions and a dollop of butter, making it quite filling for every meal. The bhaji is rich in flavor and texture, with each bite delivering warmth and satisfaction. It’s especially popular during the evenings when street stalls fill with hungry customers.
Bhel
Bhel is a classic chaat, essentially the face of Indian street food. The mix of puffed rice, vegetables, and tamarind sauce topped with sev (noodles) makes this snack very light yet satisfying. The crunch of sev along with the freshness of vegetables makes it a perfect balance and many come time and again for this snack.
Bun Maska
Bun Maska is one of the popular snacks sold everywhere in the city. While sipping a hot cup of chai at stalls, you can relish it. This soft bun is usually taken with generous spread fresh butter, though jam and cheese are options available in some shops. As the dish is simple with ingredients, especially morning is the preferred time of taking. Local bakeries throughout the city offer the delectable Bun Maska, a comforting treat, filling enough to keep indulgence in a quick satisfying snack. It usually is accompanied by a hot beverage, so it becomes part and parcel of Pune street food.
Tawa Pulao
Among the most favorite dishes prepared by street food vendors, Pune, Tawa Pulao is one of them with an added flavor of being hot and sour. Tawa Pulao is prepared by tossing cooked rice sautéed with various vegetables and masalas and giving it a tangy finish with lemon juice. Tawa Pulao is usually hot and is accompanied by the crispy papad. This is one of the special dishes in the preparation procedure, where rice is put on a large tawa (griddle) that lets the rice absorb the rich flavors of the spices. Its quick preparation time with a strong flavor makes it an easy answer for people seeking a quick fulfilling meal while strolling down the Pune streets.
Kanda Bhajiya
Kanda Bhajiya is onion fritter, crispy on the outside, soft inside, slices of onions mixed with gram flour, spices, and then fried up to golden brown till they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Kanda Bhajiya is another favorite evening snack, especially in the rainy season. Served often with chutneys, it is always enjoyed over a hot cup of chai as a comfort snack after work. This dish is offered by street vendors all around Pune and has its fans from the locals as well as the tourists.
Poha
Poha is a savoury dish prepared using flattened rice. It’s another one of the street foods which should not be missed. These are garnished with it and sev or crunchy noodles. Lemon is squeezed all over, giving it this light yet filling taste to it. Seasoned from scratch with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, and turmeric, giving a very distinct flavor altogether, Poha is frequently consumed as breakfast or more commonly, throughout the course of one’s day. It is a perfect amalgamation of textures, be it the soft rice to the crunch of sev and offers a unique, zesty taste that captures the essence of Pune’s street food scene.
A vibrant mix of flavors and textures, the street food scene In Pune offers everything from spicy chaat to crunchy vada pav. Whether it is a quick bite or a flavorful snack, these top street food items guarantee an unforgettable culinary experience, making Pune a must-visit destination for any food lover.