What Are The Best Of Ethnic Junk Food?

One of the most common complaints of millennial parents is the fact that their wards are overeating junk food. While parents are penning down the blame on favorite fast food joints like Mc Donalds, KFC or Dominos, the reality is that fast food is not a new concept for the Indian subcontinent. It is fair to say that fast food has been a part of our dietary habits since time immemorial.

Golgappa (which goes by many regional names across the lengths and breaths of the country) is a classic example of one of the best ethnic junk foods. Other than that, in the North, you have Bhel puri, masala puri, samosa, Alu Tikki, and pakoras. The South is not to be left behind and has its Podu, Bangarpet, egg bhonda, and churmuri. In the East, an evening is incomplete without the Kathi rolls, egg rolls, chop, and momos. In the Western region, the pav bhaji, dhokla and kachori make it to the list of the best ethnic junk food.

List of Most Preferred Fast Foods:

In all fairness, the rich diversity of junk food that is particular to different regions of the country is a testimony to the fact that our previous generations liked indulging their taste buds in guilty pleasures as much as we do.

Read on to know more about the most preferred fast foods that have been a part of our culture for centuries now.

01. Golgappa:

Millions of Indians vouch by this all-time favorite snack. Such is the popularity of this snack that there are many variants of this available. These include imli pani golgappa, pudina pani, jeera pani, adrak pani, gud imli ka pani, kacha aam pani among others.

For those who do not particularly like having their little ball of gastrointestinal treasures dipped in the flavored water, there is always the option of having it dry. This variant of the golgappa is known as the sukha puri.

This ethnic fast food is readily available in any Indian city or town. Known as phuchka in the East, down South, the Bangarpet variant of golgappa is the most popular.

02. Kathi Roll:

This type of roll is a favorite ethnic snack from the state of West Bengal. In its original form, it is roasted mutton kabab this wrapped in paratha. These days, different varieties of the Kathi roll are available (including the pure vegetarian ones that use paneer as the key ingredient).

Over the years, this street food has won global acclaim, and these days one will find Kathi rolls readily availed (and properly garnished) in the poshest of restaurants in the country and beyond. This junk food tastes best when served hot.

03. Dhokla:

This yellow-colored cake-like snack originates from the Western state of Gujarat and is one of the healist options available in the long list of junk foods. Here, a batter is made from rice and split chickpeas and dhokla is prepared from fermenting the same.

Also known as dhokra, this junk food is cooked at home and is also available in restaurants and the streets. A host of options for the chutney (dip) is generally available with the dhokla.

04. Churmuri:

This mixture is an ethnic snack that has its origins in different parts of the country (namely Karnataka, West Bengal, and Maharashtra) and goes by different names. Necessarily, the preparation of this junk food involves seasoning puffed rice with some oil. The seasoning would have pepper, salt, onions, tomatoes and an array of spices.

Certain varieties of the churmuri also involve the addition of fruits like the pineapple, cucumber or green mango to it. This junk food is as readily available in the market, and many homes prepare this regularly as an evening snack

05. Samosa:

The iconic triangular-shaped snack has a savory filling to it that makes it an instant favorite among people of all ages. The filler may be off peas, onions, lentils or spiced potatoes. These days, variants of the samosa that have non-veg filling are also available.

The triangular cover has flour as the main ingredient, and it is the deep fried in mustard oil. Different regions of the country have their variants of the samosa. It is interesting to note that not all of those are triangular. The samosa may be in half moon or conical shape depending on the state in question.

06. Momos:

This junk food forms an integral part of the culture and food habits of the northeastern part of the county. Here stuffing fill inside flour dough and the same is then neatly rolled into packets. Steaming is done to the packages after they are systematically arranged in a form such that they do not stick together as that will prove to be a problem.

The filling for the momos comprises of minced meat, cheese, chopped vegetables, paneer or tofu. As there is no oil involved in its preparation, this is one of the healthier junk food options.

07. Dahi Vada:

Here urad lentils are soaked overnight and then made into a batter. Balls are made out of this which is then deep fried. We then go ahead and add coriander, cumin, shredded coconut, pepper, salt, and coriander leaves to beaten yogurt.

We then make a paste of the spiced yogurt and add steaming hot vadas to it. The garnishing takes place with coriander or tamarind chutneys before serving. Central India is the home to this ethnic junk food.

08. Chotpoti:

This ethnic snack is from the state of West Bengal. Boiled potato is diced and mixed with cooked chickpeas. Grated eggs, sliced onions, lemons and a host of roasted spices go into the process of garnishing.

Usually, a lot of green chilies and red chili powder goes into this preparation making it one of the spiciest fast food from the sweet loving state of Bengal.

09. Alu Tikki:

Here boiled potatoes are mashed and mixed with chickpeas and various spices to form a cutlet like structure. The same is then deep-fried and served hot. Coriander-mint sauce or yogurt usually accompanies the alu Tikki as a preferred side.

Although this junk food (which may be called the Indian vegetarian version of hash browns) owes its origins to the Northern part of the country, it is prevalent in other regions as well.

10. Pav Bhaji:

Maharashtra is the home state for this favorite fast food dish. This preparation has a soft bread roll that tastes delicious with a thick vegetable curry. Tomatoes, onions, and potatoes are the main ingredients of the vegetable curry, and a host of other seasonal mixed vegetables goes into it.

Thousands of hand carts across the region sell this favorite evening snack. The popularity of this preparation is such that today one will be able to find pav bhaji stalls in any city of the country.

11. Pakora:

This small ball is a fried snack that goes by many names like pakodi, bhajiya and fakkuri. Pakoras can be onions, potatoes, capsicum, cauliflower, cabbage and in some cases even chicken. In all the circumstances, the ingredient is gram flour batter (besan) which use to envelop the other components into round balls.

The same is deep-fried and served hot. This fast food is usually served with some hot beverage and more popular during the rainy season.