Visakhapatnam is a city fondly called Vizag. This bustling metro shines with scenic landscapes and presents vivid and intense combinations of tastes in street food. From spicy treats to sweetlicious delicacies, there goes an entire palette of tastes that the street food in Vizag promises to delight each and every tourist with. The following guide decodes the ten iconic street foods that are indicative of a unique melding of tradition and innovation of local food habits.
9 Popular Street Food In Vizag
1. Punugulu
Photo: Raksha Shelare / Shutterstock
Punugulu is a quintessential Andhra snack relished throughout the state because of its crispy outer coat and savory taste. They are deep-fried drops in a batter comprising rice and urad dal fermentation. Normally, they are served hot with coconut or peanut chutneys. Adding to the batter finely chopped onions, green chilies, and fresh herbs lends a spicy, aromatic flavor to the snack in Vizag, making the snack invigorating and comforting food at the same time.
Location: Stalls near RK sea beach
Price: ₹20 onwards
2. Murri Mixture
Photo: Harsha K R / Wikimedia Commons
The Murri Mixture makes it local by mixing it with peanuts, roasted chana, curry leaves, and a blend of spices for light and tasty snacks. It is especially popular along Vizag’s breezy shores, where vendors will custom-make it with fresh lime, onions, and slices of tomato for a tangy, refreshing treat that’s perfect for strolling the beach.
Location: Beach Road
Price: ₹10 – ₹15
3. Bamboo Chicken
Photo: Tehjib / Wikimedia Commons
Bamboo Chicken, more commonly known as Bongulo Chicken, is a tribal treat that has now turned its way to becoming a specialty street food in Vizag. The marinated chicken is stuffed inside a bamboo shoot and then cooked over coals. The technique imparts a smoky touch to the dish with a hint of bamboo. With the marination and preparation, not only does the chicken get tenderized, but this rustic, earthy flavor is a lock-in for making it a dish not to be missed by all culinary adventurers.
Location: Araku Valley road side stalls
Price: ₹150 – ₹200
4. Dosa
Photo: Deepal Tamang / Unsplash
“Dosa in Vizag” is like an abstract word for perfection. In this journey, one can get variations like a Schezwan Dosa or a Pizza Dosa in most of the local stalls, overloaded with toppings and strong bold flavors. These aren’t meals; they are the experience of street food, uniquely stamped with the secret chutneys and masalas of each vendor. You might be stopping for a breakfast dosa or sliding in for a dinner dosa—both are a taste sensation that represents the innovative spirit behind Vizag’s street food.
Location: Jagadamba Centre Dosa stalls
Price: ₹50 – ₹100
5. Pootharekulu
Photo: Rainbow_dazzle / Shutterstock
Pootharekulu is a traditional Andhra sweet comprising thin layers of rice, relished with ghee and dusted with sugar powder. Done to perfection, this delicacy is famed to just melt in the mouth and is a representative example of the rich cultural heritage of this area. Quite often, at Vizag, one comes across artisans preparing these sweets fresh; this has the added advantage of helping visitors witness the amount of skillful craft that goes into the making of each flaky, translucent roll.
Location: Jalebi stalls in Poorna Market
Price: ₹20- ₹50
6. Sweet Corn
Photo: Bakd&Raw by Karolin Baitinger / Unspalsh / Image For Representation Only
Sweet corn is possibly one of the simplest yet most universal street foods, roasted or boiled and flavored with lime, salt, and chili powder. Due to its widespread availability, health-conscious snackers and those who weren’t in the mood for a particularly decadent snack soon adopted it. It’s quite common among beachgoers in Vizag, since it’s visible from most locations.
Location: Beachside vendors
Price: ₹20 onwards
7. Bhelpuri
Photo: Yuvamurugan / Wikimedia Commons
Bhelpuri in Vizag is an elixir of puffed rice, assorted vegetables, tangy tamarind sauce, and a sprinkle of local spices. Refreshing and reminiscent of India’s beach scenes, this snack finds a special place within the heart of Vizag’s street food culture. Balance in textures and flavors in this dish act to invigorate your palate amid the humid seaside atmosphere.
Location: RK Beach vendors
Price: ₹20 – ₹30
8. Lassi
Photo: Subhransuphotography / Wikimedia Commons
Creamy and frothy, Lassi in Vizag mostly has a huge collection of cream on top, strewn with a sprinkle of dry fruits. It offers a sweet distraction on a hot day. It comes in various kinds of flavors such as mango, rose and plain sweet and is a great way to cool oneself from tropical climate. Each sip has flavor and history to it.
Place: Sweet shops at Dwaraka Nagar
Price: ₹30 – ₹50
9. Jalebi
A classic Indian sweet, jalebi, is a must-try when taking a visit to street food in Vizag. Deep-fried wheat flour batter in pretzel-like shapes and then dipped in flavorful, saffron-flavored syrup, jalebis are best consumed when served piping hot. Their crunchy, syrupy-sweet texture explains their popularity as a hot favorite snack among the locals and the visitors as well it captures the essence of Indian festivities.
Location: Sweet shops near Gajuwaka
Price: 10 – 20 per serving
Taking a culinary journey through the streets of Vizag is equivalent to getting a firsthand experience of the culture. It serves you dishes full of unique flavors each as vibrant as the city. Whether the crispy bites near the beach or sweet savories from the crowded market, Vizag street food is something unforgettable and resonates in the spirit of this famous city. Every mouthful narrates a story of legacies and modernity, so it is a must-try for any food lover going to the city. Book your trip with TripXL to taste the best street food in Vizag.
Cover Photo: junpinzon / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only