Street foods in Puri are an intrinsic part of the dynamic lifestyle that this city from Odisha hosts, with roots in its rich culinary history. This city of religious importance, which also hosts beautiful beaches, offers a wide variety in terms of street food to suit all tastes, be it savoury snacks or sweet treats. The narrow streets are animated with beguiling aromas and tastes, thus becoming a paradise for foodies. Explore these local delicacies and indulge in the gastronomic culture of Puri.
Best Street Foods In Puri
Embark on a culinary journey with the slew of best street food in Puri that make this city arguably the heart of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
1. Chhena Jhili
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Chhena Jhili is definitely an awesome sweet dish loved by both the natives and the tourists in Puri. These small balls, made of fresh cottage cheese, are deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup that makes them so soft and juicy. The sweetness of the syrup and the richness of the cheese combine to render Chhena Jhili a heavenly treat. This is easily found in most sweet shops along the Grand Road, particularly near Jagannath Temple.
Where To Eat: Any sweet shop near Grand Road.
Landmarks Nearby: Jagannath Temple, Grand Road.
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2. Malpua
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Malpua is another Indian sweet delicacy that plays an important role in Puri street food. These sweet, deep-fried pancakes are prepared with flour, milk, and sugar, usually flavored with cardamom for their sweet fragrance. Malpua is normally served drizzled with sugar syrup and sprinkled with some nuts, making it rich and indulgent. Vendors selling it at the nearby sweet shops along Swargadwar Beach offer Malpua as a popular choice if one wants to have a taste of a traditional Indian dessert.
Where To Eat: Sweet shop located near Swargadwar Beach.
Landmarks Nearby: Swargadwar Beach, Puri Beach.
3. Puri Khaja
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Puri Khaja is a crisp and flaky pastry, one of the street foods you should definitely indulge in when visiting this place. Basically, it is made up of several layers of dough that are deep-fried, then soaked in sugar syrup, hence offering a unique texture and a delightful sweetness. It is especially popular during the Ratha Yatra festival but is relished throughout the year. Shops along Bada Danda (Grand Road) are famous for their Khaja, making this delicacy easily accessible to all.
Where To Eat: Sold at various stalls on Bada Danda (Grand Road).
Nearby Landmarks: Jagannath Temple, Bada Danda.
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4. Dalma
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Dalma is a regional Odia cuisine involving lentils and vegetables being cooked with spices to prepare a wholesome and nutritious meal. It’s a staple in the best veg street food scene in Puri and is often served with rice or roti. The flavors are enhanced by roasted spices and ghee for a nice, satisfying comfort food dish. This makes Dalma an easy and filling lunch or dinner option in the local eateries near Gundicha Temple.
Where To Eat: Available at local food joints around Gundicha Temple.
Landmarks Nearby: Gundicha Temple, Narendra Tank.
5. Rasabali
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Rasabali is a heavenly sweet preparation from the Odisha region which you must not miss while visiting Puri. Deep-fried patties of cottage cheese dip into thickened milk flavored with green cardamom and saffron, this is one of the best street foods in Puri. Its velvety texture and sweet fragrance blend to make Rasabali an all-time sweet favourite. The shops near Atharnala Bridge are famous for their Rasabali, so you should definitely try this dessert when you come.
Where To Eat: Get it at sweet shops near Atharnala Bridge.
Local Landmarks: Atharnala Bridge, Jagannath Temple.
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6. Gupchup
Gupchup, or Pani Puri, is the street food with which Puri just falls in love, due to the explosion of flavors it unfolds in every single bite. Crunchy, small puris are served with spicy, tangy tamarind water, mashed potato, and chickpea filling that will refresh and tempt everybody’s senses. Tourists can find it in streets around Jagannath Temple and Swargadwar Beach, one of the best street food places in Puri.
Where To Eat: Jagannath Temple or Swargadwar Beach.
Landmarks Nearby: Jagannath Temple, Swargadwar Beach.
7. Chhena Gaja
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Chhena Gaja is a traditional sweet of Odisha which one must not miss during the visit to Puri. These confectioneries are made of fresh cottage cheese, sugar, and semolina. So these are essentially boiled and then deep-fried, which definitely gives them a different texture and flavor. The soft and moist interiors with a slightly crispy exterior make Chhena Gaja a unique sweet for relishing. Chhena Gaja is easily available in the sweet shops near Puri Railway Station.
Where To Eat: Available at sweet shops near Puri Railway Station.
Landmarks Nearby: Puri Railway Station, Gundicha Temple.
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8. Dahi Pakhala
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Dahi Pakhala is the coolest and most popular refreshing drink in Puri, mainly during summer seasons. Fermented rice mixed with yogurt, seasoned with spices, and often attended by fried vegetables, fish, or papad. This dish has cooling properties and is tangy in flavor. Hence, this dish is also an excellent option for a light and filling meal in the local restaurants surrounding Puri Beach.
Where To Eat: Local eateries close to Puri Beach.
Nearby Attractions: Puri Beach, Swargadwar.
9. Bara
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The Bara is a filling snack, too, that is deep-fried to a golden brown colour from black gram lentils and spices. These crispy outside and soft within lentil fritters are usually served with chutney or ghuguni (yellow pea curry). It is an important street food in Puri, easily found at various stalls around Atharnala Bridge. Freshly fried throughout the day, vendors would serve them to anybody who comes at evening time and would have a good snack with a taste from the locals in Odisha.
Where To Eat: Local conveyance is available to outlets near Atharnala Bridge.
Landmarks Nearby: Atharnala Bridge, Gundicha Temple.
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10. Chaat
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Chaat would certainly rank as one of the famous street foods in Puri. Topped with yogurt, spices, and sev, it is actually a mix of things like fried dough, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and an array of chutneys. The combination of the sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors makes Chaat a delicacy you just cannot resist as a snack. The Chaat served at roadside stalls around Sea Beach Road and Swargadwar Beach is quite famous.
Where To Eat: Available at stalls near Sea Beach Road and Swargadwar Beach.
Landmarks Nearby: Sea Beach Road, Swargadwar Beach.
Exploring the street food of Puri is an adventure that every food lover must undertake. The street food in Puri is versatile, ranging from savoury snacks to sweet delicacies. The vibrant streets of Puri come alive with the aroma of freshly cooked food, calling out to the locals and tourists to dig into the city’s delights in food. Make your bookings with Trip XL and savour the flavours of Odisha.
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