How to Eat Pani Puri: 15 Steps
Pani puri, also known as golgappa or puchka, is a popular Indian street food known for its unique blend of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Eating pani puri can be a unique and enjoyable experience, but knowing how to eat it properly can be a challenge for first-timers. Here are 15 steps to help you savor this delicious snack:
1. Find a reputable street vendor or restaurant that serves fresh pani puri. Look for places with good hygiene practices and a steady flow of customers.
2. Observe the presentation of the pani puri. Traditional serving includes crisp, hollow puris filled with a mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, and spices, accompanied by two types of flavored water – spicy green mint-cilantro flavored water (pani) and sweet tamarind water.
3. Decide whether to eat standing up or seated. Street food settings typically involve standing up, while restaurants may offer seating arrangements.
4. Use your hands to handle the pani puri — it’s part of the authentic experience!
5. Take a clean plate or bowl to hold your pani puris while you prepare them.
6. Carefully pick up one puri with your fingers, making sure not to crush it.
7. Tap or gently press the top of the puri with your thumb to create a small hole in the center.
8. Spoon some potato-chickpea filling into the hollow cavity of the puri through the hole.
9. Immerse or quickly dip the filled puri into one or both types of flavored water, as per your taste preference.
10. Make sure the puri isn’t entirely submerged in water; this will allow it to retain its crispiness.
11. Transfer the soaked puri back onto your plate or bowl.
12. Bring the puri to your mouth and consume it in one bite to prevent spillage and to fully enjoy the burst of flavors.
13. Chew and savor the mix of flavors — the spicy, sweet, tangy, and crunchy sensations.
14. Repeat steps 6-13 for each pani puri, preparing and eating them one at a time to ensure that they stay crispy.
15. End the experience by cleansing your palate with a refreshing drink or dessert, such as a fruit juice, lassi, or chilled buttermilk.
Now that you know how to eat pani puri like a pro, go ahead and enjoy this delightful Indian street food with friends and family!