Bazaar Bites – Tales and Tastes of India’s Street Foods by Priya Bala and Jayanth Narayanan, is like embarking on a treasure hunt. However, the search is not for a pot of gold or a chest of diamonds, but something even more precious. Yes, you guessed it right. Mouth-watering delicacies.
But this book is not just about the food. It is a tribute to the dishes, the stories behind them, and the people who make them. Bala and Narayanan have done an excellent job of capturing the entrepreneurial journeys of these vendors, the spirit that drives them, their dedication to quality, and the warm bonds they share with their loyal customers.
As the authors have stated, “This book is a celebration of these humble food vendors and their modest enterprises.”
India is undoubtedly a foodie paradise, with every state offering a unique and delicious culinary experience. Just as the languages and dialects shift every few hundred kilometers, so does the food, even when the ingredients remain the same.
Take the idli, for example—an idli in Chennai tastes quite different from one found in other states or even within Tamil Nadu.
This culinary exploration of India’s street foods begins in Devangere, a paradise of Benne Dose. The next stops are a few more eateries at Dharwad and Mysore.
If I enjoyed my time in Karnataka, the exploration in Kerala and Tamil Nadu left me marveling at not just the variety, but also the stories behind these dishes. Having spent close to two decades in Chennai, I particularly enjoyed the Mylai food trail as the streets and sights brought back waves of nostalgia.
The authors then take us eastward, exploring street foods in Odisha, Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Patna. Reading about ghugni, khaja, chaat, double duck egg paratha, jhalmuri… and many more, such mouthwatering items had me craving. I was forced to take frequent breaks, darn the temptation!
I lost myself more and more in this curated journey, hardly realising that I had traversed across the country – from south to east to the northern plains, to the heartlands to the western part of India.
This book is an exceptional and well-researched work, providing not only a deep dive into India’s street food culture but also highlighting its historical, cultural, and social significance. The authors have poured in a lot of effort to bring these stories to life.
These unassuming eateries are more than just street vendors; they are keepers of traditions and creators of memories. The cute illustrations and maps make the book even more alluring.
If you’re a foodie or are curious about India’s vibrant street food scene, Bazaar Bites is a must-read. But a word of caution: resisting the temptation to indulge in these tempting dishes while reading might be quite challenging!
Rating – 5/5
Review author: Chandra Sundeep is an author, blogger, and book reviewer. Her short stories have been featured in various anthologies, online portals, and literary magazines. In 2023, she received the Bharat Award, recognizing her dedication to impactful storytelling. Additionally, she has been a recipient of esteemed awards such as the Asian Literary Society’s Sagar Memorial Award, Wordsmith Award, and Gitesh-Biva Memorial Award in 2021 and 2022.