Food - Varanasi

Breakfast

Kachori Sabzi

Varanasi's Kachori Sabzi is a beloved breakfast dish, featuring crispy, deep-fried kachoris (often puri-like) served with a flavorful, slightly tangy potato curry (sabzi). The kachoris can be plain or stuffed with lentils , and the sabzi often includes a touch of sweetness and spice. It's a quintessential Banarasi experience, with shops selling it in the mornings, especially around Kachori Gali in Thatheri Bazaar.

Where to try: Street vendors, Deena Chat Bhandar

Snack

Banarasi Chaat

Banarasi chaat, especially the popular Tamatar chaat, is a must-try street food experience in Varanasi, India. Unlike other chaats, it typically foregoes a puri base , relying on a savory blend of mashed potatoes and tomatoes seasoned with spices like black pepper and red chilli powder. It is often garnished with crispy Namakpara (a savory snack) instead of sev and can also include cashews and poppy seeds for a richer flavor profile.

Where to try: Chaat stalls, Godowlia Market

Beverage

Banarasi Lassi

Banarasi lassi is a unique, dessert-like version of the traditional yogurt drink, famous in Varanasi (Kashi). Unlike the frothy Punjabi lassi, Banarasi lassi is thick, creamy, and often considered a rich, fulfilling treat. It's typically made with high-quality milk that's boiled and curdled, resulting in a thick malai (cream) layer. The lassi is then churned with a mathani (wooden whisk) and served in earthen kulhads, often topped with a generous dollop of rabri (sweetened condensed milk).

Where to try: Lassi shops near ghats

After meal

Banarasi Paan

Banarasi Paan, a specialty of Varanasi, is a traditional Indian mouth freshener wrapped in a betel leaf. The betel leaves are carefully ripened through a smoking process with special coal and wood, making them incredibly soft and dissolving in the mouth. This unique softness is a hallmark of Banarasi Paan, setting it apart from others.The fillings for Banarasi Paan are diverse and include ingredients like catechu paste (kattha), pickling lime (chuna), betel nuts (supari), gulkand (rose petal preserve), fennel seeds (saunf) , and various spices, depending on the type.

Where to try: Paan shops in Vishwanath Lane

Main course

Baati Chokha

Baati Chokha is a popular and hearty meal in Varanasi, especially known for its rustic flavors and traditional preparation methods. It draws inspiration from both Bihar's Litti Chokha and Rajasthan's Dal Baati. The combination offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures, with the smoky baati complementing the spicy chokha. Baati Chokha is often served with a side of dal, chutney, and sometimes even kheer for a complete meal. This dish holds cultural significance in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting the state's traditional and rural heritage. It's a testament to the simplicity and heartiness of Indian village food.

Where to try: Local eateries, street vendors

Dessert

Malaiyo

Banarasi Malaiyo (मलइयो) is a renowned and unique winter dessert from Varanasi, available only for a limited period, typically from November to February. It is a delicate, frothy milk foam, flavored with saffron, cardamom, and sugar. The preparation of Malaiyo is a meticulous and fascinating process. Full-fat milk is boiled, simmered to reduce its volume, and then cooled. After cooling, saffron and cardamom are added, and the milk is left outside overnight to be exposed to the dew. It is believed that the dew helps in the natural frothing of the milk. The next morning, the chilled milk is churned until it transforms into a light and airy foam.