6 Kashi Epicurean
Delights
They say, no visit to Kashi is complete
without sampling Kashi delectable.
6.1. Kachori
Gali
This gali is for Benares’ famous street
food. Many eclectics like malai-toast, kachori of course etc are
found here.
6.2
Blue
Lassi
This is famous lassi shop on way to
Manikarnika cremation ground. They have 50 different varieties of lassi. In
Benares, the specialty of lassi is that rabri is added to the lassi. Here many
other ingredients like dry fruits, pomegranate etc are added which makes it a
one-of-a-kind experience. Coupled with
occasional somber “Ram Nam Sat Hai” (chanted while a fortunate soul’s corpse
is carried to the ghat for cremation) chantings the surrealistic nature of life
becomes evident while one sips on the delicious lassi.
6.3
Pizzeria
Vatika
Located
at Assi Ghat facing the great river surrounded by trees. Walk along the paved
pathway by the river from the auto stand. Then one has to climb up the stairs,
not too many though. Nice book stalls & eclectic souvenir shops along the
way. To maximize the effect, one must secure the long table at the corner which
seats 6 at the very first landing, not the one lower deck. Wait if this 6-seater
table is occupied. Reach there around sunset. After it becomes totally dark,
entirely different mystery unfolds itself.
Must
haves here are: (warm) lemon ginger honey drink,
garlic bread, pastas Spinach ravioli, Penne in white sauce and the apple pie
dessert, cappuccino are the best.
Not a good idea to go on a
festival day.
6.4
Delectable
street food of Kashi not to be missed
Kashi is
a strange place. Here some shops open only at specific times during a day and
of course famous for their commodities. They sell only a few items if not only
1 item and as soon as they are over, they shut the shop or go on to their next
item.
o
Samosa
Small
shop by RKMission Hospital on your left 2 shops left of Bablu's tea shop.
Avail
only 1-3pm. While Samosa just by itself is the best, the samosa-chat is not
up-to the mark.
o
Labanglatika
bengali dessert available at the above place,
same time only.
o
Malaiyo
Available only Nov-end of Jan. This special
dish served in claypot-kulhar is made from the cream of milk and the morning
dew from fog that settles over Kashi during the winter months only. It’s an
airy, light melt-in-the-mouth experience one must not miss. Usually this is
followed by a drink of kesar milk.
o
Rabri
Already mentioned under Ma Annapurna
detail.
o
Paan
While Benaras meetha paan is famous, author
hasn’t found the exact location of the best paan shop. Best way to know the
best is to ask in a well-known shop or in places like Kachori gali. Ask for
meetha leaf specifically.
o
Saadaa Penda
Available at Kunju Sau’s. This is the 2nd
shop on the left as soon as one enters Baba Vishwanath’s main gali from the road
to Dashashwamedh Ghat’s. These famous Benares pendas are white in color hence
the name. This famous shop has been there for generations.
o
Laal Penda
Described earlier under Baba Vishwanath
Temple. The Temple trust manufactures the best laal penda one has ever had.
o
Chaat
Yet to discover the best. Ones on the
main Luxa road near Baba Vishwanath’s temple are not good.
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