While Kashmir is often known for the grandeur of Wazwan, a lavish mutton-dominated feast served in traditional traamis, the valley’s culinary trajectory extends far beyond these copper-laden banquets.
Between Kashmir’s towering mountains and the hustle of its bazaars, there’s a lesser-known but equally charming part of its food culture — its simple yet tasty street food.
Kashmir’s street food may not be as widespread as in other places, but it carries a nostalgic charm, especially for those who grew up relishing its simple yet unforgettable flavours. For the elders, these roadside delights are more than just a snack — they are a taste of childhood, a memory wrapped in warmth, and a scent of home. For the younger generation, they remain an undiscovered treasure trove of culinary heritage, waiting to be given a hearty crunch!
What sets it apart is its predominantly vegetarian profile with a few exceptions. Light, wholesome, and easily digestible, these snacks make for an everyday guilt-free indulgence. And unlike the bustling street food scenes of metropolitan cities, where food carts dot every corner, Kashmir’s street food finds its place in quieter, more sacred settings — around shrines, near schools and colleges, and within the labyrinthine alleys of traditional marketplaces.
The food is affordable and deeply rooted in tradition. A typical non-vegetarian fast food wrap costs around Rs 150 to 250, whereas the Kashmiri version is significantly more affordable — priced at just Rs 10 for a small one and Rs 20 for a larger version, commonly referred to as a jumbo roll in fast-food terms.
You might want to remember the following names and look out for them when you visit Kashmir.
1. Nadre monje
This is by far the most relished and sought-after snack. These fritters are made from lotus stems, which are chopped into planks and dipped in a batter of rice flour and spices. They are then deep-fried and arranged in heaps for sale. When fresh, they are juicy, and the white filaments that appear with each bite highlight the unique experience of savouring Nadre Monje.
2. Aelwe Monje
Long before French fries became a staple in fast food joints, Kashmir had its own version of crispy, deep-fried potato fritters. Prepared similarly to Nadre Monje, these fritters are made using potato planks instead of lotus stems, dipped in a spiced rice flour batter, and fried until golden brown.
3. Monje Gaad
Monje Gaad is a deep-fried fish coated in a spiced batter. Crunchy and flavorful, it is often displayed in large steel trays at shops.
4. Tille Karre
These small, crunchy fritters belong to the same category, with the only difference being that they are made using battered dried peas.
5. Mongh Masale
This dish consists of steamed black gram, tossed with spices, and served either with traditional bread or on its own. Rich in protein, Mongh Masale is highly nutritious. The spice level might cause you a water-brash in the mouth!
6. Kruhun Masale
Similar to Mongh Masale, this variety features steamed black beans instead of black gram, making it a close lookalike.
7. Masale Tchot
Known as the king of spicy snacks, this wrap is filled with steamed white gram and layered with a fiery onion chutney. Soft, flavorful, and packed with spice, it’s a snack that keeps you coming back for more.
8. Basrakh & Khande Gazir
A traditional brittle made from wheat flour and sugar. Basrakh was once reserved for special occasions such as engagements, weddings, and births, but it is now commonly found piled on vendors’ carts. The latter is just planks of Basrakh, sometimes colored pink and yellow, but often left plain white.
9. Lal Shangram
Sweet nuggets made from semolina, resembling Cheetos in appearance but with a distinct taste.
10. Mattar/Karre
Similar to fried pea fritters, but these are not fried. Instead, dried peas are tossed in hot sand or salt over a high flame to achieve extra crunch.
Edited by Megha Chowdhury
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