Chaat | Description & Ingredients (2024)

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Chaat | Description & Ingredients (1)

papri chaat

Hindi:
“to lick” or “to taste”

chaat, a traditional savory snack sold by street vendors in India that originated in the country’s northern region and is now popular throughout South Asia and at Indian restaurants worldwide.

Chaat | Description & Ingredients (2)

Chaat is an umbrella term for a wide range of roadside foods that usually feature some kind of fried dough with various ingredients that typically create a spicy, tangy, or salty flavour, though some chaat are sweet. Papri chaat (or papdi chaat) is crispy fried-dough wafers served with typical chaat ingredients such as chickpeas, boiled potatoes, yogurt sauce, and tamarind and coriander chutneys; it may also contain pomegranate seeds and sev (noodles made from fried gram flour). Aloo tikki is a golden fried-potato patty that is often stuffed with peas or dal and served with a variety of spicy chutneys and sometimes chickpeas, while aloo chaat is simply boiled potatoes that are cubed, fried, seasoned, and served hot.

Chaat | Description & Ingredients (3)

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Chaat | Description & Ingredients (4)
Chaat | Description & Ingredients (5)

Other types of chaat include kulle, which consists of fruits or vegetables that have been peeled, hollowed out, and filled with salty, tangy spices, chickpeas, and pomegranate seeds. Creamy dahi bhalla (or dahi vada) is fritters—which are often made from lentils or dal—that are smothered in a spicy yogurt sauce and often topped with various spices and pomegranate seeds. Gol gappa (also known as pani puri) is a popular bite-size chaat consisting of a hollow, crispy-fried puffed ball that is filled with potato, chickpeas, onions, spices, and flavoured water, usually tamarind or mint, and popped into one’s mouth whole. Many types of chaat are served with a spicy seasoning known as chaat masala.

Laura Siciliano-Rosen

Chaat | Description & Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What does chaat consist of? ›

Papri chaat (or papdi chaat) is crispy fried-dough wafers served with typical chaat ingredients such as chickpeas, boiled potatoes, yogurt sauce, and tamarind and coriander chutneys; it may also contain pomegranate seeds and sev (noodles made from fried gram flour).

What makes a good chaat? ›

The beauty of chaat is in its simplicity. As long as you have key Indian ingredients on hand like spicy or tangy chutneys, creamy yogurts, and chaat masala, you can probably whip up an appetizing chaat. Chaat masala is a key component of many chaat dishes.

What is the example of chaat? ›

The original chaat is a mixture of potato pieces, crisp fried bread dahi vada or dahi bhalla, gram or chickpeas and tangy-salty spices, with sour Indian chili and saunth (dried ginger and tamarind sauce), fresh green coriander leaves and yogurt for garnish, but other popular variants included alu tikkis or samosa ( ...

What is the most popular chaat? ›

1. Aloo tikki. This renowned chaat dish, popular not only in New Delhi but also in various North Indian regions, stands out as a top favourite among people.

What to eat chaat with? ›

Spread potatoes and chickpeas all over papris. In a small bowl, combine yogurt with chaat masala to taste and spoon over potatoes, chickpeas, and papris. Top with diced onion, mint and tamarind chutneys, and sev. Sprinkle more chaat masala on top and serve right away, preferably with sweet, milky black tea.

How unhealthy is chaat? ›

However, many traditional chaat options often include deep-fried components and high-calorie ingredients, making them less aligned with health-conscious choices. The delectable yet calorie-laden treats can pose challenges for those aiming to maintain a balanced diet or shed some pounds.

Which chaat item is healthy? ›

Fruit chaat is made with seasonal fruits and chaat masala. It is a no-brainer that they will be healthy.

What is inside chaat masala? ›

Chaat masala, also spelled chat masala, is a powdered spice mix, or masala, originating from the Indian subcontinent, typically used to add flavor to chaat. It typically consists of amchoor (dried mango powder), cumin, coriander, dried ginger, salt (often black salt), black pepper, asafoetida, and chili powder.

Can I eat chaat everyday? ›

Nutritionist Bhuvan Rastogi said that you don't need to cut down on eating chaats as "any food you have from outside will usually be high in calories from the higher amount of oil used. Even a naan with any gravy will be laden with oil, cream, or cashew paste to make it creamy"

What do we call chaat in English? ›

Actually, it is Indian food. Chaat, (Hindi: “to lick” or “to taste”) a traditional savory snack sold by street vendors in India that originated in the country's northern region and is now popular throughout South Asia and at Indian restaurants worldwide.

Where is chaat eaten? ›

Chhath Puja is the most prominent festival of India, celebrated in a certain region of North Indian states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

What is the most popular Indian meal? ›

Curry is one of India's most popular and well-known dishes. Tomato-based curries are known as the ultimate comfort food in India, and countries all over the world have adopted this opinion too.

What is the difference between masala and chaat masala? ›

The two masalas have entirely different flavor profiles. They use different whole spices. Garam masala consists of earthy, warm spices. Chaat masala is a blend of spices that give sour, tangy, and tart flavors.

What is chicken chaat made of? ›

This delicious chicken chaat would make a great starter or side dish to an Indian dinner. Pieces of chicken breast are marinated in a mixture of spices and lemon juice which tenderises it before cooking. This is then topped with a refreshing mint yoghurt sauce, tamarind chutney and crunchy Bombay mix.

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