Street food in Raipur is Chhattisgarh’s most colourful expression of diversified foods. Famous for its variety and mouth-watering local delicacies, Raipur never misses a single chance to bring life into a street food experience. It caters to each kind of palate from snacks to savoury foods and from sweet dishes to indulgences. From the sweet flavours of Jalebi to the tamarind twist of the different chaats and south Indian delicacies, the streets of Raipur offer its tourists a diverse range of flavours.
Best Street food In Raipur
Let our guide to the best street food in Raipur take you through an array of interesting savoury and sweet treats, from crispy snacks to indulgent sweets:
1. Chana Samosa
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Sellers of Chana Samosas can be spotted everywhere in Raipur, offering the ultimate combination of crunchy and spicy. These samosas would be stuffed with a flavorful filling of boiled chickpeas, onions, and a mix of spices. A crunchy, golden-brown pastry shell, deep-fried to perfection, will enclose the filling. Dipped in tamarind chutney and spicy green chutney, this savoury snack is loved equally by all.
Where To Eat: Stalls near Shastri Market and Raipur Railway Station.
2. Poha
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Poha is a dish that is served without fail at breakfast and is extremely popular as street food in Raipur. It is made from flattened rice, sautéed with onions, green chillies, and a spice blend. Finally, it is topped with some coriander and crispy sev, while a squeeze of lemon is added to give it that extra kick. Light but full of flavour, poha provides one with a full and healthy meal.
Where To Eat: Available at local eateries and street vendors near Purani Basti and Shankar Nagar.
3. Jalebi
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Jalebi is this ultra-famous dessert, actually a street food in Raipur. Deep-fried sweet dessert made of fermented dough, spirally shaped and rendered in sugar syrup. It turns out crunchy on the outside and sweet, soft, cheeky inside. Warm, it is usually relished with curd or milk that just complements its richness. This is one of India’s iconic sweets and definitely one to try within the street food scene of Raipur for a different and filling taste experience.
Where To Eat: Available at sweet shops and road vendors around Gole Bazar and Rajendra Nagar.
4. Aloo Tikki
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Raipur’s all-time favourite street food is made with spiced, mashed potato patties, which get crisscross fried until golden and crispy in texture. Each tikki is seasoned with a blend of spices and is served with a dollop of sour tamarind chutney, a dash of creamy yoghurt, and a sprinkle of chaat masala. Aloo Tikki is one of the favourite snacks among street food lovers, combining outer crispiness with a soft, flavourful core.
Where To Eat: Available at various street food stalls near Jay Stambh Chowk and Sector 27.
5. Dosa
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Dosa is one of the most commonly consumed street food items in Raipur. By nature, it is thin and crispy. These dosas are made of a fermented rice and lentil batter, which is then cooked on a hot griddle until golden brown in colour. They are normally stuffed with spiced potatoes, onions, or cheese. It is normally served with a number of different chutneys and sambar. The dosa offers great variety and flavours a meal.
Where To Eat: Available at local restaurants and street food vendors near Janta Medical and Pandri Market
6. Idli-Sambar
Idli-sambar is another quite popular South Indian street food that has been in demand throughout Raipur. Idlis refer to soft, fluffy, steamed rice cakes that are served with Sambar, which is basically spicy lentil soup flavoured with tamarind paste and a blend of spices. Served with coconut chutney, this makes for a light, flavorful meal. Balanced flavours and comforting texture set it apart in the Raipur street food scene, a reflective style of the city’s diverse culinary traditions.
Where To Eat: Sold by vendors on the streets and in eateries around Ratanpur and Katora Talab
7. Chaat
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Chaat is a very typical Raipur street food, with an exactly opposite and very vibrant mix of flavours and textures. This widely consumed snack consists of boiled potatoes and chickpeas taken along with a generous helping of curd. It is dressed in a variety of tangy and spicy chutneys, and then this preparation is topped with crunchy sev and a sprinkle of chaat masala. It is a food staple available at local stalls in every locality, especially around the busy areas of VIP Chowk and Budhapara.
Where To Eat: Available at different stalls at Budhapara and VIP Chowk
8. Bhutte Ka Kees
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Bhutte ka Kees is one more different and flavourful street food from Chhattisgarh that is enjoyed in Raipur. This grated corn preparation cooked with spices and milk offers a creamy, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavour. The soft corn and the aroma of the spices go well to present a very comforting and different flavour profile. Bhutte ka Kees makes for a light snack or side dish and is more of a regional reflection of the cuisine in Chhattisgarh.
Where To Eat: Available at local vendors and traditional eateries near Shankar Nagar and Moudhapara.
9. Kachori
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Kachori is actually a pastry that is deep-fried and filled with spicy lentil mixture. Its outer casing comes crispy and golden brown in colour, while on the inside, flavoured with spicy and heavenly lentils. Kachoris, enjoyed either as a snack or for breakfast, are usually accompanied by chutneys and pickles to add a little more taste. This savoury delight is an ever-present constituent of the local street food vendors, providing a satiating crunch to visitors wandering through Raipur’s street food scene.
Where To Eat: Various stalls near Raipur Railway Station and Shastri Market.
10. Chana Chaat
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Chana Chaat is refreshing and healthy street food in Raipur. It basically involves boiled chickpeas mashed and mixed with chopped onions and tomatoes, but the dish makes use of more than that with the addition of spicy masalas. Often, it includes a sprinkle of fresh coriander leaves along with a squeeze of lemon, giving it a flavourful taste. It is the spicy taste and easily available ingredients that make it one of the most favourite snacks to be sold by Raipur’s street food vendors.
Where To Eat: Available at stalls around VIP Chowk and Golbazar.
Street food in Raipur offers great flavour to the Chhattisgarh culinary heritage. Every dish defines distinct flavours and textures from the savoury crunch of chana samosa to the sweet delight of Jalebi. During your visit to Raipur, do make it a point to taste these popular street foods. Make your booking with Trip XL and taste authentic street food to have an overdose of diversified flavours that Chhattisgarh offers!
Cover Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash