Indore - A Heaven for Foodies

INDORE - The Commercial Capital of Central India. It is the largest and the most populous city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. 

It is considered to be an Educational Hub as it's the only city with campuses of both - Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and has state's top ranked Engineering and Medical Colleges.

Indore is also the home of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) and Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association (MPTTA). Indore is the fourth largest centre of Cotton Textile Industry in India.

But what makes Indore truly amazing and a great travel destination is its rich Food Culture. The life in Indore starts with Chai (Tea), Poha and Jalebi. Indore's love affair with food is legendary. The flavours of Indore's diverse kitchens have a lot to offer to a Gastronomer.

Being famous for its food and cuisine, the culinary culture of Indore is a blend of Rajasthani, Gujarati and Maharashtrian influence. It is especially popular for its street food. Two of the traditional foodlands for street food in Indore are Chappan Dukan and Sarafa Bazaar which serves a variety of spicy and sweet mouthwatering food to fuel and satiate the city's irrepressible appetite.

SARAFA BAZAAR is largely an area for selling jwellery but it converts into a street food market which comes alive every night at 8PM. No visit to Indore is complete without a sarafa visit in the evening. One look at the goodies on offer and you will understand why this place is so high on a foodie's pedestal. The place bustles in the night with plethora of food stalls offering the best chats of India. It has Indore's specialities like Pav Bhaji, Aaloo Tikiya, Sabudana Khichdi, Dosa (of every type), Potato twisters, Malpua, Garadu, Gulab Jamun, Dahi Bada, Jalebas (King size Jalebis), Shikanji, Rasmalai, Makke Ka kis, Chole Tikiya, every type of paan (ice, fire, smoke, chocolate) and you can even Pani-Puri in 10 different flavours.

Can this get any better!

CHAPPAN DUKAAN (56 Shops) is located at the Heart of the City which is packed with food stalls on both sides of the street. It is the most celebrated foodies landmark where you find snacks in abundance! This place is quite literally a food treasure trunk with Chinese, Mexican, Italian, North Indian and South Indian delicacies. With so many varieties you have a sizable number of options to try.

These two destinations should be at the top of your food itinerary whenever you visit to Indore. The Lip smacking delicacies will make you fall irrevocably in love with Indore.

Scrumptious is a word that delights every foody soul. This is the word that comes to mind when you step into Indore's food market to satisfy your hunger pangs. This buzzing city could stake it's claim on the top slot for being the food capital of India. It is a place that beckons food lovers to return again and again for its unique offerings. Not only the street food but you'll be surprised to visit all the exclusive cafes and restaurants with their own distinctive taste and style. You can find Lover's Cafe, Horror Cafe, Airplane Cafe, Forest Cafe, Sports Bar, Entertainment Park and that's just a start.

Indore is like a Disneyland of Food for Foodies. The food is an amalgamation of recipes from the neighbouring states with Indori touch which once tasted will have you smiling all day. So to keep indoris food spirit alive and quell our cravings, an organisation known as INDORI ZAYKA actively promotes various food destinations of Indore.

They are also known for organising central India's biggest food fest known as INDORE FOOD CARNIVAL popularly known as Indore Ka Tyohar which is a three day fest of food, fun & entertainment. With more than 50 variety of food stalls, musical performances, shopping stalls, cultural program, extravagant games, open air DJ and various fun filled activities, it ended up with a record breaking attendance of 45k+ people including foreigners.

As it's established now that people in Indore are the biggest Foodies ever. Be it Pani Puri, Aloo Kachori, Johnny Hot Dog, Ghamandi Lassi, Khopra Patis - Indories will gobble them without a Burp!

So for indoris to indulge in this food extravaganza again, Indori Zayka organizes a FOODWALK every few months where for 2 days you get to visit 12 enticing food destinations and indulge in all the mouthwatering dishes they have to offer.

Another Appetizing offer for indoris is the PANIPURI FESTIVAL that offers every unique fusion of Pani Puri you can think of on a silver platter.

Therefore if you are a foodie, you will love this city and if you're not, you'll definitely become one when you visit Indore.

PS Facts that make Indore EK NUMBER -

- It has been ranked as India's cleanest city for four consecutive years.

- Indore is holding two Guinness World Records, for holding the largest Tea Party in the World and for making the largest Burger in the World.

- Indore has a unique tradition called GAIR celebrated on Rangpanchami. It is more like the Tomatina Festival played with colours. Colours are sprinkled over the huge crowd and then water is splashed through a cannon to get everyone drenched.

- The love for SEV  is incomparable. Indoris cherish their Sev. If you don't believe me, have a look at this innovation - Pizza with extra Sev Toppings or Sev Cake.

- Indore's love for CRICKET is quite known as it's the only city in the world to have a World Cup Square with a huge statue of the world cup as well as a huge concrete Cricket Bat Statue with names of all the players of Indian cricket team that won the 1971 series against West Indies.

- Indoris have a fantastic lingo, here people do speak Hindi but the accent and eloquence is out of this world. It's a place where Haan becomes Hao, Bhai becomes Bhiyaoo or Bawa, Mujhe becomes Meko or Mereko. 

(Uniqueness at its best)

- An Indoris love for CHAI is unmatched!

PPS Foodie Heaven has an Address - It's Indore.