10 cities in India where you should travel with an empty stomach
Amritsar, Punjab
Come hungry, leave slightly ashamed. Between buttery kulchas, ghee-laced dal at the Golden Temple, and lassi so thick it needs its own zip code, Amritsar will make your jeans question their life choices.
Kolkata, West Bengal
I see a plate of golden-brown gol gappas, some filled with spiced potato and chickpea. The blurred background hints at a bustling Indian street food stall.
Planning on a light snack in Kolkata? That's cute. Because you're about to dive into kosha mangsho, shorshe ilish, and enough mishti doi to bathe in. Bonus: the puchka here will ruin golgappa for you forever.
Hyderabad, Telangana
They say power corrupts, but biryani from Hyderabad is pure.
Whether it's from a 5-star hotel or a secret roadside joint, that layered meat-rice miracle is worth fasting for 24 hours in advance.
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Delhi
Come for the history, stay for the indigestion. From Chandni Chowk's parathas to spicy golgappas to the mysterious, addictive 'Ram Ladoo,' Delhi is a full-body workout — for your taste buds.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
I see a plate of fluffy poha garnished with fresh coriander, onions, and sev. Alongside, crispy jalebi glisten with syrup. The warm lighting highlights the textures.
Start with poha-jalebi for breakfast, snack on khopra patties, and end your day at Sarafa Bazaar — a jewelry market that transforms into a food market after dark.
Yes, that's a thing. You're welcome.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Galouti kebabs are so soft that you might feel cheated for eating more than you are supposed to. Roomali rotis that double as blankets, and biryani tastes like heaven!
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
I prepared a plate of soft, spongy dhokla, garnished with fresh coriander and coconut. Served with green and tamarind chutney.
Dhokla, khakhra, fafda, khandvi — they sound like tongue twisters but taste like cloud hugs. This city is one big vegetarian carnival with a serious snack addiction.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Vada pav. Misal pav. Kheema pav. Pav with pav. Mumbai's bread game is unmatched.
And then there's pav bhaji, a dish that started as street food and became a national obsession.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Idli, dosa, pongal, vadai — and that's just your starter pack. With coconut chutney in three shades and sambar that could win awards, Chennai turns mornings into Michelin events.
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Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ker sangri, laal maas, ghevar — a single meal here will take you through every flavor profile and back. Warning: the kachoris here may make you abandon your return flight.
Tips to consider
Don't plan meals — plan fasts. Bring stretchy pants. And for the love of digestion, travel with an empty stomach. Because in these cities, food isn't a pit stop — it's the whole journey.
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