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When you think of Ludhiana, you most likely connect it to being an industrial hub, which is true and fair. Ludhiana is predominantly known for its textile and agricultural prowess. However, like any other city in Punjab, Ludhiana’s street food game is quite strong too. Each of the street food in Ludhiana brings up the flavours of Punjabi cuisine and some of them even have their unique twist to their presentation and taste. So, not only do you get to immerse yourself in the robust flavours, but you get to truly understand what people mean when they say Ludhiana is a foodie paradise.
10 Street Foods In Ludhiana To Try
Street food in Ludhiana is an integral part of daily life, with food stalls and vendors serving up an array of mouth-watering delights. There are spicy delicacies and delectable desserts.
1. Chole Bhature
Photo: Sutapa Pal / Wikimedia Commons
The staple of any Punjabi Street food scene has to start with the iconic Chole Bhature. A classic North Indian dish, it consists of spicy chickpea curry (chole) paired with deep-fried, fluffy bread (bhature). However, while the two of them separately might not create much emotion, when you pair the two together and top it off with sliced onions and chutney, the taste is phenomenal. The chole is simmered with a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala, often garnished with onions and green chillies for an extra kick.
Where To Try: Model Town Road and Dugri’s local street vendors
Cost/Plate: ₹50 – ₹80
2. Pav Bhaji
Photo: BHAAGIi / Wikimedia Commons
Although a staple of Maharashtra, Pav Bhaji is also a North Indian street food staple, which is quite predominant in Ludhiana. It’s a spicy vegetable mash cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, peas, and various spices, served with soft buttered bread rolls called pav. The highlight of this dish is the long simmered blend of vegetables, which are recooked with some butter and masalas before they are served with a large blob of butter on top. Depending on your taste buds, you can order a side of freshly buttered pav to further elevate the taste.
Where To Try: Chaura Bazar and Ghumar Mandi
Cost/Plate: ₹60 – ₹100
3. Amritsari Kulcha
Photo: Vipul7229 / Wikimedia Commons
Your Punjab exploration is incomplete without trying Amritsari Kulcha. This dish is a type of stuffed bread baked in a tandoor and usually stuffed with a filling of spiced mashed potatoes, onions, or paneer. However, the best part of Amritsari Kulcha is the crispy bits that add texture to the dish. You will get the kulcha served with a side of chole, onions and chutney, which further add to the taste. The kulcha’s buttery, flaky texture makes it a delightful treat for breakfast or lunch. Also, given how popular this is as a street food option.
Where To try: Amritsari Kulcha Chowk, near Clock Tower
Cost/Plate: ₹40 – ₹70
4. Dahi Bhalla
Photo: Aarti tripathi pandey / Wikimedia Commons
If you are in the mood for some chaat, Dahi Bhalla can be a great option. It is nutritious, tangy, protein-rich and a filling snack. It consists of soft lentil dumplings soaked in thick, chilled yoghurt and topped with tamarind chutney, green chutney, and a sprinkle of spices. All these elements don’t taste as good by themselves but when you mix them all and top it off with some roasted ground spices and bhujia, the taste is beyond anyone’s imagination.
Where To Try: Ghumar Mandi and Sarabha Nagar
Cost/Plate: ₹30 – ₹50
5. Makki Di Roti And Sarson Da Saag
Photo: Sutee Pheera / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Another Punjabi street food staple that you must try when you are in Ludhiana is Makki Di Roti & Sarson Da Saag. It is a winter favourite among the Punjabis since the availability of the “Sarson da Saag,” aka mustard leaves, was predominant during that time. Makki di Roti is a flatbread made from cornmeal, while Sarson da Saag is a curry made from mustard greens cooked with spices. Also, despite the “saag” being bitter, the blend of the spices usually masks that taste well, so do give it a try. Don’t forget to ask for some “safed makkhan” or white butter on top.
Where To try: Punjabi Dhaba, Ferozepur Road
Cost/Plate: ₹80 – ₹120
6. Gol Gappe
Photo: Jubair Bin Iqbal / Pexels
No street food tour of Ludhiana is complete without indulging in Gol Gappe, which is also known as Pani Puri. This crispy, hollow puri is filled with tangy tamarind water, spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and chutneys. It is one of those universal street food options that is loved and eaten across India and has different names in different states. What makes the Gol Gappe stand out in Ludhiana is the spicy and tangy tamarind water. Also, most of the vendors have at least two different flavours of water to go with the Gol Gappe and you can customise it as per your taste.
Where To try: Sarabha Nagar Market and Model Town
Cost/Plate: ₹20 – ₹40
7. Bread Pakora
Photo: Ravi Talwar / Wikimedia Commons
Another flavourful evening snack that you can include in your Ludhiana food tour is Bread Pakora. This is a crispy snack that is made by dipping slices of bread, often stuffed with a spiced potato filling, into a gram flour batter and deep-frying them. The result is a deep brown and golden, crispy fried snack that is served with some green coriander mint chutney and tamarind chutney on the side. You can also pair your bread pakora with some tea, which elevates the experience further.
Where To Try: Clock Tower area and Ferozepur Road
Cost/Piece: ₹20 – ₹40
8. Kachori
Photo: Sumit Surai / Wikimedia Commons
While we are on the topic of evening snacks and street food options in Ludhiana, Kachori is another staple that you must try. This is a deep-fried round pastry, which is usually filled with spiced lentils or potatoes. Once deep fried and taken out of the hot oil, the kachori is then served with some tamarind chutney and green chutney on the side. Depending on where you are trying this dish, some vendors even turn the kachori into a chaat by adding boiled chickpeas potatoes and roasted spices and topping it off with some sweet curd and tamarind chutney on the top.
Where To Try: Chaura Bazaar and Kesar Ganj
Cost/Piece: ₹20 – ₹50
9. Paneer Tikka
Photo: Dethans / Wikiemdia Commons
Another Punjabi street food staple that you must try in Ludhiana is Paneer Tikka. In this dish, the paneer or cottage cheese is first cut into cubes and then marinated with spices, yoghurt and chunks of onion and capsicum. Once it has marinated well, the paneer cubes and the vegetables are then skewered into bamboo sticks and then grilled to perfection. The grilling process adds a nice char to the outer layer of the paneer, all while retaining the moist and chewy texture on the inside.
Where to try: Dugri and Sarabha Nagar
Cost/Plate: ₹80 – ₹150
10. Jalebi
Photo: TAPAS KUMAR HALDER / Wikimedia Commons
If you want to end your street food journey in Ludhiana on a sweet note, Jalebi is undoubtedly the best option. The crispy and sweet Indian dessert is loved by all. It is made by deep-frying batter in circular shapes and then soaking them in sugary syrup, resulting in a crispy and sweet treat. The jalebi is served hot, and its crunchy exterior, combined with the syrupy sweetness, makes it a delightful snack. Given how popular jalebi is in Punjab, you won’t find it hard to spot some amazing jalebi stalls or sweet shops making jalebi in front of you. In some shops, the Jalebi is even served with some rabri on top, making it even more decadent.
Where To Try: Chaura Bazaar and Old Ludhiana Market
Cost/Plate: ₹20 – ₹40
The street food in Ludhiana is a reflection of the rich culinary traditions that prevail throughout Punjab. So, the next time you are out and about exploring Ludhiana, stop by one of these many street food joints to indulge in some local flavours and try the affordable dishes too. For a well-rounded vacation, book your trip with TripXL for the ultimate deals and discounts to enjoy.
Cover Photo: Sarahbatra / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation only
