I am one of those people who, in South India would be referred to as a thindipoth (someone who has the ability to snack or eat oh so well). So when a couple of friends suggested going out for a night of street food in Bangalore, I was thrilled. We set off to “Eat Street” or “Thindi Street” in V V Puram. Having parked our cars, we decided to walk up the “Thindi Street”, to see (rather smell) what catches our fancy and then get ready to tackle the definitely long food list.
The first thing I notice about this road (after the food of course) are the people stuck around these food stalls like ants! There were cars that would do a quick stop along the side of the roads and spill out entire families waiting to gorge on gastronomical delights. I just couldn’t help feeling a wee bit bad for the drivers who would be waiting for them. One of the cutest sights I saw on this road was a parked Maruti van with three kids sitting in the open dickey, dangling their feet in the air and munching on a masala dosa.
Walking up the road, I saw stalls selling all varieties of dosas, rottis, chaats, bondas, American corn and what not. We started with the cornwallah at one end of the road. Technology has caught up everywhere and this push-cart vendor now has an electric fan that blows air when he is roasting the corn cob on hot charcoal! We had a snack made of roasted corn, raw mangoes and some yummy masala. An interesting appetizer of sorts!
Our next stop was at the crowded and obviously popular gulkhand stall. I’m not a fan of gulkhand (thindipoth or not, I can’t digest the fact that it is made from rose petals!) and so the multiple options of gulkhand with butter and ice cream and all that jazz did not appeal to me. While other friends gladly decided to begin their dinner with dessert, I opted for a masala Pepsi instead. This drink is Pepsi minus the fizz and a whole lot of spices added, so your tongue is busy getting surprised with all the sweet-tangy-spicy-salty taste. Fantastic! I can say from hearsay that the gulkhand was also so del-i-cious.
Next, I had to stop at the bajji-bonda stall where fried bondas cut into half were garnished with finely chopped carrots, onions, capsicum and then served on a piece of plantain leaf resting on the ubiquitous piece of newspaper. Mouth-watering? You bet!
And if you thought I was done, you are soo wrong. I was torn between Mumbai-style vada-pav and my eternal favourite- the masala dosa. Finally and predictably, the crispy crackling sound of the dosa won my heart and tongue and I surrendered yet again. Another friend tried an akki rotti, which I obviously sampled but did not enjoy at all.
Having eaten to our full and noticing the shutting shops, we decided to call it a night. Go and check it out. You just might find me there again, coz I am definitely going back!
Location: Eat Street is located in V V Puram
Timings: 7.00 PM to 11.00 PM
– Veronika
3 of Spades 