From Kachori Gali to Namo Ghat: A Street Food Trail Through the Lanes of Banaras
Ask any traveller what they remember most about Varanasi and, after the ghats and the aarti, the answer is almost always the food. A newly shared food-and-ghats walk through the city is a reminder of why Banaras is one of India's most rewarding cities to eat your way through, one narrow lane at a time. The day begins, as it should, with kachori and sabzi. In the old city, especially along the lane that locals simply call Kachori Gali near Kashi Vishwanath, crisp kachoris are fried fresh from dawn and served with a spicy potato curry and a jalebi on the side. This is the everyday breakfast of Banaras, eaten standing up on a leaf plate, and it costs less than a cup of coffee in most cities. As the sun climbs, the trail turns to something sweeter. Malaiyyo, the cloud-like saffron milk foam that appears only in the cooler months, is Varanasi's most delicate seasonal treat, whipped overnight under the open sky and served in small clay cups. Thick Banarasi lassi topped with cream, and the famous tamatar chaat, tangy and warm, round out the essential stops that regulars will insist you cannot skip. The walk ends at Namo Ghat, the city's newest riverfront space with its giant folded-hands sculptures, wide promenades and modern food stalls. It has quickly become a favourite evening spot for families and a fitting finish to a day spent tasting the city. For visitors planning a trip, the lesson is simple: come hungry, start early, and let the lanes of Kashi guide you from one flavour to the next.
Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources:
