Street food

Kashmir's foodscape is as diversified as the region's varied topography. The valley's mouth-watering street cuisine is the least well-known of the valley's other delectable delicacies. Even though western fast food is ubiquitous nowadays, Kashmiri street food has stood the test of time.

Here are some of Kashmir's most popular street foods, which help to define the valley's distinct culinary identity:

Nader Monji

Lotus stems are used to make Nader Monji, a crunchy delicacy. After being lightly seasoned with rice flour and gram flour, the lotus stems are deep-fried. It's a mouth-watering snack with crispy, juicy Nadir Monji and spicy onion chutney.

Kenn'k Masaal

It's a nutritious diet that's free of oil, fat, and cholesterol. It's commonly blended with steamed black gram and served hot in paper cones. This Kashmiri dish is made of hot boiling and flavoured wheat split germ.

Halwe Paraath

The Halwe Paraath is a massive flatbread with no filling that measures 3 feet in diameter. Paraath is a seven-times-larger version of a North Indian Puri. Enjoy it alone by dipping it into salty or sweet tea, or with a big helping of Halwe. Halwe is a yellow-colored semolina-based dessert produced by drying semolina in ghee and topping it with a generous amount of dry fruits. A spoonful of steaming Halwe on Parathe is a delightful treat for your taste receptors.

Basrakh

Basrakh is a snowball-shaped sugar dessert that re-enforces Kashmir's snowy characteristics. Basrakh, a famous Kashmiri sweet, is a deep-fried hollow pastry made of flour and clarified butter, dipped in sugar syrup and topped with almonds. Basrakh is prepared for important occasions such as saints' anniversaries, births, festivals, and so on. Families of the bride and groom exchange Basrakh baskets during weddings and engagement ceremonies.

Lala Shangram

Kashmir's favorite tea time snack is Lala Shangram. These are created by combining semolina, refined flour, milk, sugar, and clarified butter, forming nugget shapes out of the mixture, and deep-frying them. With a crunchy texture that melts into soft sponginess as soon as you bite into it, it's a win-win situation.

Khandh Gaziri

Kashmir's favorite street snack is Khandh Gaziri. These crispy sweet sweets are made from flour dough and clarified butter, then dipped in sugar syrup. These candies are children's favorites, as are all candies.

Tuji

Tuji, the Kashmiri name for barbeques, is the most exquisite of all Kashmiri Street meals. It's created with strongly seasoned marinated minced mutton or beef and skewered over hot red coals. It's accompanied by Lavasa, a soft round Kashmiri bread, and a variety of chutneys, or dips. One wonderful taste of Tuji is enough to brighten your mood, so binge on a chunk of juicy pork soaked in chutney wrapped in a soft morsel of Lavasa bread.