The city of Surat is synonymous with food. With a larger-than-life culture, the city is rightly called a food paradise. A large part of this food culture is the street food in Surat. When it comes to street food, you can rest assured that you will quite literally find everything from the streets of Gujarat to different corners of India in Surat. From the best chole bhature in Surat to the best dosa and much more, street food hopping in Surat is unlike anything else. If you think Surat only does local street food best, you should try delicacies from other parts of the country at some of the best places to eat in Surat. For example, if you crave chole bhature, you will find many places claiming to have the best chole bhature in Surat. Food in Surat is not just food, but, it is an emotion. The experience of trying new food in Surat is an opportunity everyone should grab at least once. Here is a guide to some of Surat’s best food.
Here are some of the most famous street foods in Surat to try
1. Locho
If you ask around the city, chances are many people will acknowledge locho as the best street food in Surat. The dish is the result of a culinary mistake. While making khaman, another popular dish, the measurements got mixed up, and what eventually came out became known as locho. Served with sev, fresh onions, green chutney and other toppings, you will find locho at almost all the best places to eat in Surat.
2. Pav bhaji
With the influence of Maharashtrian food and its flavours, you can easily find the best pav bhaji in Surat. A perfect combination of rich vegetable bhaji, buttery pav, and crunchy onions with a dash of lemon, a plate of the best pav bhaji in Surat will satisfy every craving for street food that you might have.
3. Undhiyu
Undhiyu is another dish we cannot leave off counting among Surat’s best food. This elaborate dish is a mix of different vegetables found locally and then cooked for a couple of hours to infuse the maximum flavour. Undhiyu gets its name from twisting and turning the cooking vegetables upside down and is the favourite of almost every Gujarati person.
4. Dabeli
Finding its roots in the Kutch area of Gujarat, today, dabeli is counted among the best street food in Surat and many other places in India. A mouth-watering dish that brings together ingredients like pav, potatoes, spices, chutney and even fresh fruit, dabeli is a roller-coaster journey. Those who love dabeli love it, but those who do not like the sweet and savoury play do not like this street food too much.
5. Bhajia
Bhajiya is the one thing that most of the best places to eat in Surat have in common and what they always seem to serve. They are made from different ingredients like onions, potatoes, cauliflowers, etc. and are the perfect snack to munch on. This street food is very famous in Surat, which means you should try this at least once.
6. Jalebi fafda
One of the most well-known breakfast dishes of not only Surat but all of Gujarat, jalebi fafda is a way of living in Gujarat. Such is its popularity that many people start their weekends by having this delicacy as breakfast. The subtle savoury taste of the fafda is the perfect partner to the sweet taste of jalebi. So, the next time you are in the city, make your weekends even more enjoyable with this Surat-famous breakfast.
7. Ice dish
A more unique dish than most, this dessert is the perfect example of the creativity of the people of Surat. A fancier version of the humble ‘ice gola’ you can find on every street and corner, the ice dish is the perfect mix of richness and freshness. While the shaved ice part of the dessert will instantly refresh you, the toppings, dry fruits, and sweet sauces will have you spellbound.
8. Ponkh vada
It is another local recipe which has now become part of the street food of Surat. Found more commonly during the winter months, this jowar-based delight is a healthier street food thanks to its use of millet. Try this with tangy chutneys, and, you will be left licking your fingers and wanting more.