India is famous for its diverse and flavourful cuisine. Among its vast culinary treasures, Indian snacks stand out for their variety, regional influences, and unique combinations of spices.
These snacks have influenced many of the Indian restaurants and takeaways in Glasgow, meaning you can explore the diversity of Indian snacks without leaving the city.
North Indian Snacks
In the northern regions of India, snacks are often packed with bold flavours and textures. The classic samosa is a beloved snack across the country, though it originated in the northern part of India.
Another popular snack is chaat, a mixture of crunchy fried dough, tangy tamarind chutney, spicy yogurt, and various toppings such as boiled potatoes and chickpeas.
Variants like aloo tikki (spiced potato patties) and golgappa (crisp, hollow shells with a spicy filling) are essential street food staples that provide a burst of flavour with every bite.
The Dhabba in the Merchant City area of Glasgow offers an authentic north Indian dining experience, and includes all these snacks (and more) on the menu.
South Indian Snacks
Moving to the southern states, the snack offerings shift toward rice and lentil-based dishes, often lighter but equally flavourful.
Dosa, a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and urad dal batter, is a quintessential snack served with coconut chutney and tangy sambar (lentil soup).
Its cousin, idli is a soft steamed rice cake, known for its simplicity and versatility.
The Dakhin restaurant in Candleriggs offers a wide range of south Indian snacks and meals.
Western and Central Indian Snacks
Western India, particularly the state of Gujarat, is known for its love of sweet and savory snacks.
Dhokla, a spongy, steamed cake made from fermented rice and chickpea batter, is light yet packed with flavour. It’s typically garnished with mustard seeds, coriander, and green chilies.
Fafda and jalebi, a popular combo in Gujarat, pair a crispy chickpea flour snack (fafda) with sweet, syrupy jalebi, creating a unique blend of tastes.
In Maharashtra, bhel puri—a mixture of puffed rice, sev (fried chickpea noodles), vegetables, and tangy chutneys—is a crowd favorite.
Another iconic snack from Mumbai is vada pav, often called the Indian burger, consisting of a spicy potato fritter sandwiched between two buns, served with chutney and green chilies.
East Indian Snacks
The eastern regions, particularly Bengal, are known for their love of sweets, but their snacks are equally noteworthy.
Puchka, the Bengali version of pani puri, is a spicier rendition with tamarind water and a filling of mashed potatoes.
Momo, a type of steamed dumpling influenced by Tibetan cuisine, is popular in the northeastern states and can be filled with vegetables, chicken, or meat, served with spicy dipping sauces.
Finding Western and East Indian snacks in Glasgow is a bit of a challenge. However, you could book an Indian cooking masterclass throughClassBento, or visit a specialist Indian grocers, such as Ganapathy in Maryhill.
If you don’t want to prepare your own snacks, PK Foods offer a wide range of authentic Indian snacks using the finest ingredients.
The variety of Indian snacks available in Glasgow shows how Indian cuisine has influenced the city.
You should embrace the full diversity of Indian snacks available in the city - your taste buds will thank you.
And follow the PK Foods blog for more cooking tips, recommendations and more.
