logo
What Does India 'Officially' Eat On A Rainy Day

What Does India 'Officially' Eat On A Rainy Day

NDTV2 days ago
The first drop of rain does not just signal a shift in the weather - it also signals a shift in Indian kitchens. The usual dinner plans are put on pause. There is a craving for something a little crispier, a little oilier, and a lot more indulgent. Something hot that sizzles when it hits the pan. The best part? Every region, and honestly, every household, has its own version of the ideal rainy day dish. For some, it might be a steaming bowl of soupy Maggi. For others, it could be a treasured family recipe that comes out only when the skies open. So, what does India eat when it is raining? Let us find out.
Also Read: 6 High-Protein Indian Dishes That Are Surprisingly Good For Gym Lovers
Rainy Day Food From North India
Pakoras With Adrak Chai
In North India, the word baarish is rarely said without also mentioning pakoras and chai. From aloo and pyaaz to gobhi and palak, there is a pakora for every palate. The joy lies in the uneven shapes, the audible crunch, and the friendly bickering over who gets the last one. Served with a spicy green chutney or tangy imli version, this is the kind of snack that has zero leftovers.
Masala Bhutta On The Stove
The smell of bhutta roasting on coals has the power to halt conversations and traffic alike. Once the clouds roll in, corn on the cob becomes an instant favourite in many homes. Roast it over a gas stove or grill, rub it with lemon, salt, and chilli powder, and eat it while juggling the hot cob with your fingertips. This is monsoon theatre at its best.
Popular South Indian Snacks For Monsoon
Mysore Bonda And Filter Coffee
In Karnataka, Mysore bondas take centre stage when it begins to pour. Made from urad dal and green chillies, these deep-fried balls are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Dip them in coconut chutney for balance, and pair with a strong, frothy filter coffee to complete the picture.
Sundal
Sundal is not fried, but it is very much monsoon-approved in Tamil Nadu. Made with boiled chana or moong dal, it is tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and fresh coconut. It is warm, satisfying, and somehow makes you feel like you are eating healthy while snacking.
Mangalore Buns For Rainy Evenings
Despite the name, Mangalore buns are neither baked nor bread. They are deep-fried banana puris with a mildly sweet taste and a soft, fluffy interior. Served with coconut chutney or eaten plain, they are a popular rainy day treat for children and adults alike.
Rainy Day Recipes From West India
Kanda Bhaji
If it is raining in Mumbai, chances are someone is frying kanda bhaji. Thinly sliced onions are mixed with besan, chillies, coriander, and ajwain, then dropped into hot oil. The outcome is a golden, crunchy mess that pairs perfectly with green chutney and chai. Quick, spicy, and endlessly addictive.
Spicy Mirchi Bhaji
Gujarat's take on the bhaji features green chillies stuffed with masala, dipped in gram flour and fried till golden. These are not for the faint-hearted. Some serve them with sweet chutney, others with fiery garlic paste. Either way, they deliver a heat that is made for stormy evenings.
Rainy Day Comfort Food From East India
Khichdi With Aloo Bharta
When the rain pours in Bengal and Bihar, kitchens often turn to moong dal khichdi. Served hot with ghee and mashed aloo bharta made with mustard oil, this is comfort food in its purest form. Add fried papad or begun bhaja, and you have a monsoon meal that feels like a warm hug.
Odisha's Pakhala Bhaat
In humid Odisha, pakhala bhaat is a rainy day essential. Leftover rice is soaked in water and lightly fermented overnight. It is then eaten with badi chura, sautéed vegetables and raw onions. Cooling, probiotic, and extremely local – it is the kind of meal that may not look fancy but hits the spot when the weather gets heavy.
Also Read: 6 Underrated North Indian Vegetarian Dishes That Deserve More Hype
Maggi: India's Ultimate Monsoon Snack
Maggi deserves its own category. From Delhi to Dimapur, Maggi is the undisputed national rainy day snack. It is fast, filling, and endlessly customisable. Plain or loaded with vegetables, sticky or soupy – Maggi is that one thing every Indian household turns to when the sky turns grey. And in under ten minutes, you are full, happy, and staring out the window like you are in a film.
Advertisement
About Nikita Nikhil Meet Nikita, a passionate soul with an insatiable love for two things in life: Bollywood and food! When she's not indulging in binge-watching sessions, Nikita can be found behind the lens capturing moments or expressing her creativity through painting.
For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube.
Tags:
Rainy Day Indian Snacks
Regional Indian Food
Monsoon Recipes India
Show full article
Comments
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Manchester weather to play a part in India's team-combination
Manchester weather to play a part in India's team-combination

The Hindu

time19 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Manchester weather to play a part in India's team-combination

It was a rainy welcome for the Indian team in Manchester on Saturday. As the players reached the city and remained confined to their hotel rooms, a small group of Indian fans gathered outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite cricketers. With the series on the line, the tickets for the fourth Test at Old Trafford are sold out, even though there is a forecast of rain — light to moderate — throughout. While India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate indicated that a decision on the playing XI will be taken after assessing the surface and the conditions, over the last few years, the Old Trafford pitch has been quite effective for wrist-spinners, as the ball has turned the most here among England's Test grounds. With former England captain Michael Atherton suggesting that India should bring in three spinners — Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar — in the XI and go with just two pacers, it needs to be seen whether the team management subscribes to the idea. 'The pitches haven't had the pace that they used to have. There are a couple of pitches in the end where there's zing, but in the middle, the televised pitches are just flat, flat, flat. Wrist spin goes well at Old Trafford in some circumstances,' Atherton told Sky Sports Cricket. The Indian team will have a closed-door training on Sunday afternoon, after quite a gap. A lot would also depend on how the weather holds up for the next few days. But if the windy and rainy conditions continue, chances are high that India will field an unchanged bowling line-up. With clarity awaited over the gravity of Arshdeep Singh's injury, there's plenty for the Indian think-tank to ponder.

IND vs ENG: Team India arrives in Manchester via train, takes last moment U-turn and walks 300m in rain
IND vs ENG: Team India arrives in Manchester via train, takes last moment U-turn and walks 300m in rain

Time of India

time19 hours ago

  • Time of India

IND vs ENG: Team India arrives in Manchester via train, takes last moment U-turn and walks 300m in rain

Image credit: Sahil Malhotra/ in Manchester: The Indian cricket team arrived in Manchester via train this afternoon and was greeted by a steady drizzle. The team, however, took a last-minute U-turn and didn't take the planned route of exiting the platform where the train had arrived. They instead snuck out from a back door, and the players were made to walk 300m, mostly in the rain, to board the team bus. Captain Shubman Gill was spotted with the team as others rushed into the bus because of the rain. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! India stayed back in London after the heartbreak at Lord's and even had a training session in Beckenham. Every player except KL Rahul was in attendance, and while the likes of Rishabh Pant , Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj took it easy, the rest operated at full intensity. There was a cause for concern as Arshdeep Singh, who is yet to play a game, injured his bowling hand. The side will now begin preparations at the Old Trafford Ground in Manchester with sessions tomorrow, the day after, and on the eve of the match. Why Team India came to Manchester from London via train and walked in rain The first session will be behind closed doors without any access to the media, just like it happened for two sessions in Birmingham, and doors will be opened for the morning session on July 21 and the afternoon hit on July 22. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo The Indian team will find the city very pleasant compared to London as it is much cooler and there has been consistent drizzle for the last few days. Even the match days have forecasts of rain, but it hasn't been threatening so far. An odd spell of light showers here and there shouldn't really be a cause for major concern. The weather, however, can play funny tricks in England, and Manchester is unlikely to be any different in the coming week. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

From Royal Enfield To TVS, Here's List Of Bikes That Can Conquer Indian Monsoons Effortlessly
From Royal Enfield To TVS, Here's List Of Bikes That Can Conquer Indian Monsoons Effortlessly

News18

timea day ago

  • News18

From Royal Enfield To TVS, Here's List Of Bikes That Can Conquer Indian Monsoons Effortlessly

Last Updated: In this article, we have listed the top bikes that can handle the Indian monsoon without breaking a sweat and bank balance either. Finally, the much-awaited monsoon started in India. The season has somehow arrived early, or god has answered prayers who were asking for some relief from scorching heat. As the dark clouds roll in, the season brings scenic rides on the wet roads. It feels thrilling yet concerning at the same time due to waterlogged roads, slippery patches, and unexpected potholes. To conquer all the challenges, a trusted set of wheels is supposed to be here to make every ride worth it. Perfect Bikes In Monsoon If you are planning to get yourself a motorcycle during this monsoon season, and wants to leave behind all the weather-related worries. Then do not worry, we have got your back. In this article, we have listed the top bikes that can handle the Indian monsoon without breaking a sweat and bank balance either. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Name it and this off-roader will have it. Ever since the model was launched in India, it has captured most of the mass audience, a big thanks to its aggressive style and decent price range. It can be purchased at Rs 2.85 lakh, while the top model goes up to Rs 2.98 lakh (all ex-showroom). The vehicle has been created specially to tackle terrains, where a normal bike in the same segment is afraid to reach. Himalayan 450 is equally confident in the monsoon as it is on rough terrains in Leh Ladakh. Its long-travel suspension, grippy dual-purpose tyres, and torque-heavy engine make it a rain-ready beast for both city and touring. TVS Apache RTR 200 4V This offering can be safely considered monsoon-friendly as it comes with multiple riding modes and offers dual-channel ABS. These elements are enough to give the riders complete confidence to reach any corner or cover any distance without second thoughts in their head. It also comes with a high-quality build that holds up well in prolonged moisture exposure. The company has launched the model at the starting price of Rs 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Under this price range, it gets a 197.75cc engine that generates a maximum power of 20.2 bhp at 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 18.1 Nm at 7000 rpm. Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 Priced at Rs 2.13 lakh (ex-showroom), the Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 could be a wise yet smart choice under the 249cc segment. The motorcycle is a perfect blend of style and performance, which is well-suited for slippery highways and rain-soaked trails. Honda CB350 H'ness Last but not least, the CB350. It is a modern classic with a refined engine and road manners. Although it is not an off-roader, but offers well-balanced dynamics with a rooted riding experience even on rainy days. It has been priced at Rs 2.14 lakh (ex-showroom). First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store