Bhopal, also referred to as "The City Of Lakes," is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Historically, many Begums of the Mughal sultanate ruled it, so Bhopali cuisines are influenced mainly by Mughlai culture. From the iconic Poha Jalebi, a breakfast favourite consisting of flattened rice cooked with spices and served with hot, crispy jalebis, to the lip-smacking Bhopali Gosht Korma, a slow-cooked mutton curry infused with aromatic spices, every bite is a burst of exquisite flavours. The bustling street corners are adorned with stalls offering delectable snacks like Samosa, Aloo Tikki, and Dahi Vada, accompanied by spicy chutneys and tangy sauces. Here's the list of some of the top street foods in Bhopal
Sulaimani Chai
Bhopalis begin their day with a cup of "chai", which had to be number one on our list. Begum Sikander Jahan brought this special salted tea recipe from Turkey, and now it is a well-known part of Bhopalis' life.
Poha Jalebi
Poha jalebi is the heart and soul of Madhya Pradesh. It is the most popular breakfast in the Malwa region. Poha with spicy flavour and hot-served jalebi is the best duo. To enhance the taste, Bhopalis garnish poha with chopped onions and sev with a slice of lemon.
Dal Pakwan
Dal Pakwan is a simple but delicious breakfast of the Sindhis. It's a deep-fried puri of maida served with cooked Chana Dal, garnished with onions and tamarind pulp. It is available mainly in the Bairagarh area of Bhopal.
Imarti
Bhopal is rich in taste and culture. This city has a variety of food, and when we talk about sweets, Imarti is one of the famous sweets among Bhopalis. It is a type of jalebi which is orange-red in colour, sweeter in taste than jalebi, and slightly different in shape.
Paan
Paan is the shaan of Bhopal. In the movie Sholay, Soorma Bhopali is also a paan addict. Even on wedding evenings, there is a paan stall so people can enjoy paan after food. It is a wrap in which many fruits or flavours are added, making us feel refreshed when we eat it.
Paya Soup
Paya Soup is a traditional recipe served at gatherings. Paya means "leg", so basically, it is a soup with leg of chicken or goat as the main ingredient, cooked with various spices. "Kamar Bhai Paya soup" is famous for Paya soup in Bhopal.
Bhopali Chicken Korma
Bhopali Chicken Korma, or Bhopali Gosht Korma, originated from Bhopal itself. It is a Nawabi cuisine popular among Bhopalis. Mutton is cooked in a spicy gravy. Bhopali korma is prepared by making a loose bundle or potli of various masalas, and the potli is then added to the cooker so that the korma can absorb all the aroma of mixed spices.
Barfi Rasmalai
Barfi Rasmalai is a very famous sweet dish in Bhopal. It is available in stalls near Jama Masjid. Shop owners pour the thick Rabri on top of the rasmalai and garnish it with some flavour like rose water which gives a delicious taste to the dessert.
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