A megacity that poets and saints used to call the ‘Auspicious City’ or the Garden City as mentioned by others, Bangalore is the capital city of the South Indian state of Karnataka. The 'Silicon Valley of India’ is actually the technology and industrial hub of India, but is also a lot more than that. Pretty famous for its vivid nightlife and its beautiful parks, Bangalore is home to a number of museums exhibiting local art, but also modern and contemporary art. Just on the outskirts of the city, in the lovely Biological Park, you will find tigers, elephants, and lions, however, the city is also known for its mouth-watering street food found in every corner of it. Follow us on this foodie journey in the bustling streets of Bangalore, India, and make sure you try these snacks when you visit!
1. Obbattu
A very popular street food in Bangalore, obbattu is a type of sweet flatbread, usually made of yellow-pigeon peas, cardamon powder, rava (a wheat product), flour, and jaggery (dark brown sugar), while its many varieties include fillings of coconut, peanuts, or sesame. When the flour dough is stuffed, it is rolled out and cooked on a griddle, and then served with a sprinkle of ghee (a sort of clarified butter) on it. This dessert is widely prepared during festivals and special occasions, but also local restaurants and street vendors sell it.
2. Bhajji
A spicy snack, better paired with a hot cup of local Indian tea (chai) or a cup of coffee, you will find bhajji in numerous roadside stalls, so you can’t miss it. This delicious dish is similar to a fritter, and it’s basically deep fried vegetables, but comes in different variants, thus giving different flavors. It is usually served with a salad, and a spicy chutney (e.g mango) and also some sweet sauce. Many say it is ideal for those Bangalorean rainy evenings.
3. Ghee dosa
Dosa is a typical dish from the Indian subcontinent, but it’s indigenous in South India, with its birthplace being unknown. To give you an idea, it looks like a pancake and is one of the most popular snacks around here, made from a fermented batter. The main ingredients are rice and black gram, while ghee dosa, as the name suggests, is a crispy one since it’s sprinkled with ghee butter. It goes quite well with chutney or sambar (lentil-based vegetable stew), although in Bangalore they also accompany it with mint or tomato sauce.
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4. Medu vada
This yummy South Indian fritter is a typical breakfast but also an all-day street food in Bangalore. Its main ingredients are black gram and rice, while its shape resembles a doughnut and it’s rather crispy on the exterior but quite soft inside. In Bangalore, it is usually served warm with coconut chutney or sambar, but also in room temperature with yogurt. For its preparation, they soak the black lentils for a few hours, then they ground it to a paste, and lastly, they fry it until it turns golden brown.
Bangalore District Tour Guide
Ramesh Kumar
Hello, I am Ramesh Kumar, a Bangalorean, born & brought up in this lovely city. I work as a freelance Tour Guide-Tour Leader-Trip Manager to the foreign travelers who visit Southern India as a destination for travel as well as for the corporate executives who come on business meets taking place. Being a knowledgeable Tour Guide, I curate creative itineraries, all tailor made to suit their tastes, likes & interests. I am conversant with the entire stretch of South Indian monuments. I speak good quality English easily assimible by the travelers. My services are sought after by foreign travelers, travel agents, diplomats & those who wish to travel with their special plans of interest for gaining an experience of Learning and Discovery.
5. Mangalore buns
Both a restaurant delicacy and a popular street food across Bangalore, this yummy sweet deep-fried snack is usually consumed for breakfast or for tea-time occasions. It is pretty soft and fluffy, and made of all-purpose flour and bananas, and that’s why they also call it banana bun, while its origins are from the state of Karnataka. Mangalore buns are beautifully paired with spicy sambar or coconut chutney, although they are also enjoyed without any side sauce.
6. Uttapam
One more local favorite, Uttapam is a dosa-like dish from South India but in a softer version. Its main ingredients are black gram and rice flour, which are both soaked overnight and then ground and fermented until they rise. To cook it, they spread the batter on usually circular pans and add several toppings, like onions, capsicum, tomatoes, or even cheese, while they drip oil around it. Eventually, it turns into a thick pancake, a pure delicacy not to be missed.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
You can try authentic South Indian dishes such as uttapam, dosa, and medu vada at Adyar Ananda Bhawan. The establishment, popularly known as A2B, has been loved by locals and tourists alike for decades and has a number of outlets throughout Bangalore. If you are fond of South Indian coffee, make sure to try the filter coffee at A2B.
7. Puliyogare
Puliyogare is a common rice dish prepared in South India that has a rather sour taste. It literally means tamarind rice since tamarind is the main ingredient of this dish. It can be easily taken away for long travels, due to the quantity of oil used for its preparation that better preserves it. Locals eat if for breakfast or as a snack, while they usually add lots of spices and sesame oil. It is also a popular temple food and a dish they prepare on festive days.
8. Idly
This savory rice cake is a delicious snack that all Indian people crave to have, even if it’s not their local specialty. In Bangalore, street vendors sell it across the city. While it is often eaten as breakfast, it is also an anytime snack. These small white cakes are made of fermented black lentils and rice, and due to their mild taste, they are better enjoyed with chutney or sambar sauce. Lentils and rice are soaked usually overnight, then ground into a paste, mixed together and then fermented all night.
9. Tandoori
For the non-vegetarians, tandoori chicken is another favorite street food in many places in India, but also in Bangalore. This chicken is marinated in a spicy blend of tandoori masala and usually yogurt, then seasoned with spicy red chili, cayenne pepper or even turmeric, and then it is cooked in high temperatures in a tandoor oven. This food is served in restaurants, stalls or any kebab place, and is rather soft and juicy, making this delicacy popular among Indians and foreigners.
10. Samosa chaat
Samosa is a savory fried dish, usually filled with spicy lentils, potatoes, peas or onions and has a triangular shape. It is a pretty popular snack or entry plate in many countries around the world, while its varieties are endless. Samosas in India are made with all-purpose flour and are deep-fried in vegetable oil or occasionally in ghee, and they serve it with a green chutney sauce. In Bangalore, they also add chaat into the mix and make it even more crunchy.
Indian food at its best
Bangalore’s fascinating food scene is a very convincing reason to visit this vibrant city. Besides, there is no better way to experience a city if not by trying its local delicacies, and be assured that you’ll find plenty of these in the numerous food stalls along the streets of Bangalore. Bangalorean street food awaits you!
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