Vadodara, a city in Gujarat is known for its very high-spirited culture. It is visible through the innovations done by locals eventually making people of this land big time foodies! This part of Vadodara is crammed with old shops sustaining in snaking alleys. Some shops are even a hundred years old!
Vadodara, a city in Gujarat is known for its very high-spirited culture. It is visible through the innovations done by locals eventually making people of this land big time foodies!
This part of Vadodara is crammed with old shops sustaining in snaking alleys. Some shops are even a hundred years old!
Samosa at Manmohan Bhajiya Samosa Stall- At times simplicity is the best to serve. Here the Samosa is served crushed on a plate layered with tamarind chutney and very flavoursome chopped onions. Because the samosa is crushed, the filling is visible, which is, spiced up potatoes cut into cubes. It also has peas and chopped chilli in it.
It is going to give you a long lasting kick on your tongue because it is the right amount of spicy and tangy. You could get that burning sensation on your tongue but it is going to be so worth it!
This is 10/10 a must try!
* Manmohan Bhajiya Samosa Stall is a very old shop, it was established in 1969.
Price- INR 20 per plate.
Wafers at Sainath Wafers- Just across the street is Sainath Wafers. You could try banana and potato crisps here. They are freshly made and have a wide variety of flavours. You could go for the plain salted or masala wafers.
It is a light snack to munch on all day long! Just keep a bowl of it by your side while doing your work. It is going to produce the most productive you!
Price- INR 30-50 per pack.
Penda at Duliram Pendawala- It is a very beautiful yellow painted shop (gives a total Gujarati vibe!). At the back of the shop, you will also be able to see fresh pendas being made. That is a bonus point!
Pendas are round soft balls which are dusted with powdered sugar. It also has a strong flavour of cardamom. Because it is not overly sweet, it is just the right balance you would want to have!
It is a very highly rated sweet dish and you should try it if you are in Vadodara.
If you buy even one box of it, you will be reminded of Gujarat. It is because of the print and the packaging the pendas come in! It has a very Indian vibe (actually the vibe of old India!) to it.
Price- INR 400 per kg.
Sabudana Vada, Farali Sabudana Khichadi and Shing Ladoo at Jaihind Restaurant- In Gujarat you can even try the Maharashtrian food! It is because Vadodara has a considerable population of people from Mumbai.
If you are fasting, then this is the place to go to! You get peanut flavoured sabudana (sago) cutlets here along with sweet raita which is tampered with cumin seeds and curry leaves. In another compartment of the plate you’ll get the same raita blended with red chilly powder.
Then, you’ll get a sago khichadi, it is dry and tastes a little different but mostly the same.
If you don’t try this mithai (sweet) made up of peanuts, ghee and jaggery, you will miss out on something very delicious. But, really, it is going to make your day.
Price- INR 20- 100 per plate/piece.
Herbal Paan at Tambul Prakash- Paan is a bittersweet preparation combining betel leaves which wrap within them slaked lime, black cutch paste etc. While the base remains the same, this paan additionally has a scent of rose, pineapple and saffron in it along with some shredded bitter gourd and a chutney. Everything is mixed and this paste is known as ‘The Herbal Paste’.
Then, it is folded in a unique way and you are good to try something you have never tried before. Even if it is a repetition, there’s a reason why you are trying it again.
Fun Fact: Have a word with the shop owner. He is a story teller who will make your visit more than just a palate cleanser. Also, It is a 148 year old shop!
Price- Price 10- 100 per paan.
Cream Salad and Mango Delight at Sri Bagdyogaya Dugdhalay- Cream salad is like a healthy dessert. In sweetened curd, there are freshly cut fruits like apples, strawberries and pineapples. They are thoroughly mixed till everything looks well engulfed in the curd.
Next is the Mango Delight. A mango inspired cream is put in a cup with lots of chopped fruits in it. Both these desserts are quite simple to make but they taste really amazing!
Price- INR 150 for 500 grams.
Surti Biscuits at Shree Surti Bakery- Here, Nankhatai biscuits and soft coconut biscuits are a must try. Both of these crumble very quickly because of the texture they have!
These are freshly baked and use no artificial materials. Everything is organic from semolina to fat.
You can try these biscuits at a lot of places but nothing like the way this shop has!
* It is a 100 year old shop.
Mix Fruit Vegetable Shri Ram Tam Tam Wala- Around 26 types of dry snacks of all flavours, that is, spicy, tangy and sweet are mixed together to form a big bowl of ‘Chaat’. This is known as Tam Tam. Some grapes, raisins, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, and coriander is added to it too. For an even more ‘Full Masala’ flavour, lime is squeezed over it.
It has very strong flavours and is very tangy!
Price- INR 30 per plate.
Old Vadodara is soul fulfilling yet a very light journey to experience. It will not overburden you, just the right amount of happiness and goodness.
With light walks, light chit chat and overly warm people, it is a good food journey to embark upon!
