25-07-2025
Pune on My Plate: At over 1,000 servings a day, Kakdi khichadi at Bipin's is city's fasting favourite
As the sacred month of Shravan begins, the streets of Pune come alive with the aroma of fasting delicacies and, for many, the season is incomplete without a piping-hot plate of kakdi khichadi from Bipin Snacks Centre, a modest but iconic eatery nestled near Karve Road, Deccan Gymkhana.
For over three decades, this tiny establishment has been feeding Punekars its much-loved khichadi, especially popular during the fasting period when traditional meals give way to upwas food. But kakdi khichadi, a savoury mix of grated cucumber, sago pearls, seasoned peanuts and potato chiwda, remains the unrivalled bestseller.
'Every day after work, I walk here for my plate of khichadi,' says Akash Kamat, a software employee whose office is nearby. 'Before the pandemic, 'Mama' used to run the centre. We were all afraid the taste might vary when the ownership changed, but thankfully, it did not.'
The 'Mama' he referred to was the original owner of Bipin Snacks Centre, a name that had become synonymous with affordable, homely, and delicious upwas snacks in the area. However, in 2023, amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, the ownership quietly changed hands.
Enter Atish Dede, who now manages the eatery full-time, while his brother Amol, a bank employee, officially owns it. 'At first, it felt surreal,' Atish says. 'We took over during the lockdown, and I wasn't sure if people would still like the place. But the kakdi khichadi sold like crazy, nearly 1,000 plates a day, with the sales increasing during Shravan. Our staff of 24 still cannot keep up. Usually by 5 pm, it is sold out.'
The brothers' love for the place runs deeper than just business. Amol, who works with Janata Bank, speaks about his connection to the eatery: 'I used to eat breakfast here every morning. Over time, I became close to the owner and helped with his banking work. When he decided to sell, I couldn't let go of the opportunity. It was like buying a piece of my memory.'
In a city that is constantly changing, Bipin Snacks Centre remains a delicious reminder of continuity, community, and culinary comfort. As the khichadi simmers on the stove and customers line up patiently, it is clear – this isn't just food, it is a legacy served on a plate.
(Divyaja Kalyankar is an intern with The Indian Express)
