Despite known international fast food chains, multi cuisine restaurants and star hotels setting up shop in Vizag, and despite star hotels dishing out ‘authentic’ cuisines, the street food vendor and some small local eateries will always remain ‘hot’ favourites. The lack of ambience, the lack of proper seating and the dubious hygiene notwithstanding, the popularity of these roadside dhabas never wanes. The highly economised cost factor aside, it is the quick service and piping hot lip-smacking incredible taste that pulls patrons back time and time again.
Each Indian city specialises in its own variety of street food. From full meals to simple snacks to fillers, every city has an amazing variety. The diversity is mindboggling – right form Chinese food, idlis and dosas, sea foods, sweets like jalebis, snacks such as paani-puri, roasted corn and muri-mixture, heavy snacks like puri-bhaji, pav-bhaji or stuffed paratha and many more. Join us as we sample the wares of a few well known eateries in Vizag.
(After a great deal of arguing, we have listed out some spots in no particular order; we did try but could not reach to any consensus as to which was the most popular or tastiest eatery.)
Momo Points
These are one of the favourite spots for many youngsters. One is located besides YMCA, the other is near Aqua Sports Complex, Beach Road. The Spring Rolls and Manchow Soup they sell are also relished.
Location: Beach Road
Assorted Bandis
There are two-three ‘bandis’ or carts in the lane behind HSBC which are usually swarming with employees from all the offices and establishments of the surrounding areas, almost all throughout the day. Just as popular is another idli-bandi near Maddilapalem. Serving hot dosas, puri-bhaji, idlis and similar ‘tiffens’, these small roadside stalls are quick with the service and highly economical.
Location: Beach Road, Siripuram, Maddilapalem
Pani Puri
Pani Puri is one popular snack in almost all Indian cities. In Vizag, there are quite a few hotspots dishing out delectable pani-puris. Dotting many corners in the city, the popular joints are near Kirlampudi, Jagadamba, MVP Colony and Siripuram. At the Haryanvi pani puri joints, ask for the meetha pani puri, you won’t be dissapointed.
Location: Everywhere
Jalebi – Samosa
To pamper the sweet tooth, check out Jalebis at ‘Gautam Sweets’. Served piping hot from the pan, these hot sweets disappear in no time on a weekend. While the place is a tad shady, the jalebis and samosas they serve more than make up for it. If you’re averse to taking risks, head out to good old Sweet India or Laddu Gopal.
Location: Besides Vizag Central
Kulfi – Ice Gola
Kulfi, the traditional Indian answer to ice cream is best sampled from the mobile kulfi vendor who sets up shop opposite The Park every evening. Available in plain and dry fruit variants, these guys are around only as long as their stocks last. Check out the colourful ice gola bandi next to him if a kalakhatta or rose gola is more your taste.
Location: near The Park
Fried Chaat – Kunda Chaat
For innovative and delicious variations in good old Chaats, visit ‘Samudra’ for a very uncommon chaat prepared with fried ingredients. This crunchy and tasty chaat is very famous among the student and the working crowd. Check out their oil-free kunda chat served in an earthen matka.
Location: Behind Samata College
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