Top 5 Kashmiri Traditional Snacks of Srinagar

Top 5 Age old Kashmiri street foods which are popular even with the Gen Z.

Food is the great unifier that connects us across cultures and generations. Our food culture is the way that food integrates into our traditions, community, heritage, and connects us with our food system. The importance of traditional and ethnic food should never be underestimated.

The food here in Kashmir is unlike any other cuisine in the world. “Wazwan isn’t all we eat, and it certainly isn’t all we have to be proud of”.

Kashmir is known for its traditional street foods. The street food here is delightfully compelling and easy on the pocket. You will get all kinds of happiness on the streets of Kashmir. Whether it is sweet, salty or spicy, there is everything to please your palate.

Here are the Top 5 Kashmiri Street foods that have been popular here since ages.

Masaal Tchot

Lavasa masala, also known as masala tchot, is a Kashmiri street-food wrap, filled with cooked yellow split peas and spicy radish chutney with some curd, also known as poor man’s Shawarma, a Kashmiri version of Mexican tacos & Middle eastern falafels is incredibly cheap, filling, nutritious and delicious than any other street foods you will find here. This is traditionally served wrapped in a newspaper.

You will find hawkers selling Masaal tchot in Kashmiri wicker baskets, outside schools, colleges and Sufi shrines of Srinagar city.

Nader Monje aka Kashmiri French Fries.

Step Aside French Fries….here comes its Kashmiri version Nader Monje. It is made from lotus root and served with onion chutney, the lotus stems are coated with gram flour and then fried in oil to make this delicious snack. Its outer covering is very crispy, and when you eat it, it melts in your mouth leaving behind a taste that’ll keep you craving for more. Kashmiri’s usually eat it with Noon chai. Vendors hurtling Nader Monje in their carts is a common sight around Sufi shrines in the valley.
Places to eat at : Khankah Srinagar , Dastgeer Sahib, Dargah Hazratbal , Khojji Diggar

Harissa:

One of the favorite breakfasts of winter Kashmir is the sizzling hot harissa. It is an age-old traditional mutton recipe, and it is best served with Kashmiri bread Kander Czout. It is extremely fatty and high on calories and hence prepared exclusively during the freezing chilling winters of the region as a way of warming from within. The Harissa makers of Downtown Srinagar have been in the business for more than two centuries and still carry it forward.
Places to eat at : Fateh Kadal , Aali Kadal , Maisuma , Hawal

Basrakh

A classic sweet-crunchy cuisine, made by combining ghee, cardamom, & flour. The flavor of Basrakh is then enhanced by the addition of dry fruits like almonds, cashews and raisins. It used to be in big demand few decades ago, & now this sweet delicacy is making a revival in the Kashmiri Marriage Ceremonies.
Places to eat at : Khankah Srinagar , Dastgeer Sahib, Dargah Hazratbal , Khojji Diggar

Tujji

Barbecues in Kashmir are known as Tujji and seekh Tujji is skewered meat cooked over charcoal, which is served with a Lavasa. It is one of the most famous street foods of Kashmir. Served with a variety of chutneys along with Lavasa -traditional Kashmiri bread, this Kashmiri street-side delight is marinated with fresh spices and left for a few hours for the flavours to sleep in. you will get the best Tujji in Kashmir at Khayyam Chowk.
Places to eat at : Khayam chowk, Dal Lake Banks , Hawal