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There's never a reason required to plan a holiday to Goa, but if you are looking for one, food definitely should be on top. While one is easily tempted to spend all day in one of the many beachside shacks, downing pints and munching on typical seafood fares like fried calamari, there's far more to explore, especially when it comes to street food, as long as you know where to go looking.
From stuffed pois to ros omelettes, Goa's street food is not just an immersion into the local way of life here but is one of the best ways to learn about its history and culture. So, on your next holiday, brace yourself with a big appetite and treat yourself to some of these local favourites:
If you are wondering how all the locals have a happy morning, ros omelette is the secret. The dish is simple but so delicious that you wouldn't mind having it for lunch or dinner as well. As the name suggests, the dish features an omelette prepared with onions, tomatoes and chillies. It is then elevated by pouring Xacuti gravy over it and garnishing it with a squeeze of lime. Though ros omelette is a meal in itself, pair it with fluffy and fresh-out-of-the-oven paos.
Where to eat: The best ros omelette is always served out of tiny gaddos (stalls) scattered throughout Goa. The best are Ulhas gaddo in Margao and Sandeep gaddo in Panjim.
If there's a dish that can encapsulate Goa's Portuguese heritage in one bite, choris pao it is. When the Portuguese reached the coast, they brought with them bread and chorizo, which took the form of poi and chouris as Goans added their local touch to it. The poi came about as a result of using Goan toddy to ferment the bread instead of yeast, and chouris happened when local spices were added to the traditional chorizo recipe. Although it only combines two ingredients, this flavourful combination can give the fanciest sandwiches a run for their money. On a hot day, trust this street food to fill you up and the hit of spice to cool you down.
Where to eat: Teixeira's fast food, Halarnakar Vaastu Hermitage, Ilhas, Chimbel, Panaji
If you loved chouris pao, it's guaranteed you would love cutlet bread just as much. The dish is rustic but delicious enough to keep you coming back for more. It consists of rava-fried chicken (or any other meat) cutlet stuffed inside pao or poi slathered with ketchup. Across most joints, the cutlet bread is served with a side of simply prepared salad, which usually includes shredded cabbage, tomatoes and onions.
Where to eat: D'Silva's Fast Food, Miramar Circle, Panjim
Don't worry if you don't eat meat. Goa hides a culinary blessing for the vegetarians, too. Bhaji pao is a no-fuss dish, blending homely flavours. If one were to find a suitable comparison, it would be a lot like the comforting misal pav. Like it, the dish features a mix of dried white peas gravy and potato sabzi. Locals love to soak it all up with soft paos as a filling breakfast or a pick-me-up evening snack.
Where to eat: Cafe Tato, Souza Towers, No. G3, Dr RS Rd, Near Municipal Garden, Altinho, Panaji
There's no leaving Goa without indulging in seafood. While there are too many dishes to choose from, such as prawn or fish cutlets, give oyster xacuti the priority if you want to taste something truly unique. But there's a catch—this one-of-a-kind dish is available at one particular shop in Parra and is extremely difficult to get your hands on as it gets sold out in minutes.
Where to eat: Café Sai Anant, Parra circle junction, Parra
