Ayodhya is a city of immense religious and historical significance, as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu.
The city is also home to the Bhavya Ram Mandir, a grand temple dedicated to Lord Rama, where devotees can worship him.
Moreover, the city is known for its rich and diverse culinary culture, especially its street food. Street food is an integral part of Ayodhya’s food scene, as it reflects the city’s history, culture, and traditions.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the famous street foods in Ayodhya, their origins, their varieties, and their impact on tourism.
12 Famous Street Foods in Ayodhya
Ayodhya has a delicious variety of street foods to offer, ranging from savory snacks to sweet delicacies. Here are some of the most popular and iconic street foods in Ayodhya:
1. Ram Ladoo
Ram ladoo is a popular snack made from soaked and blended moong dal, creating a crispy and golden-fried texture. It stands out with a unique flavor and is topped with green chutney, tamarind chutney, grated radish, and chaat masala.
The name “Ram ladoo” is associated with Lord Rama, who is believed to have enjoyed this snack during his exile. In Ayodhya, it is a common street food, particularly during the Ram Navami festival, where devotees offer it to Lord Rama as a prasad.
If you want to try the best Ram Ladoo in Ayodhya, you can visit Sharma’s Restaurant. It offers a variety of delicious and authentic Indian cuisines, including Ram Ladoo.
2. Chaat
Chaat is the most popular dish in India. You will find chaat in every state, in fact, in every corner of cities. Ayodhya has its own versions of chaat, such as aloo tikki chaat, papdi chaat, dahi puri, and golgappa.
If you’re wandering around Ayodhya’s streets, it is a perfect snack. Some of the popular spots for chaat in Ayodhya are Ram Ki Paidi, Naya Ghat, and Hanuman Garhi. However, if you want to try a good chaat option, you can visit Parag Milk Bar restaurants.
This restaurant’s menu includes delicious chaat and a wide variety of nutritious food. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance and friendly staff.
3. Peda
When we talk about Peda, the name Mathura usually comes up, but only a few people know that Ayodhya Peda also holds special significance, believed to be the favorite sweet of Lord Rama and his devotees. Moreover, this Peda is known for its soft texture and rich taste, making Ayodhya’s Peda considered an art.
There is pedal-makers that use a special technique of boiling and stirring the milk until it becomes thick and solid. If you’re in Ayodhya then Peda is a must-try for anyone visiting Ayodhya, as it is a symbol of the city’s devotion and sweetness.
If you’re looking for the best place to have Peda in Ayodhya, you can try Shri Kanak Sarkar Rasoi. They serve simple, traditional Indian meals, and their soft Peda is made using a special milk-boiling method.
Read: Best Restaurants Near Ram Mandir Ayodhya
4. Kachori
Kachori is a common breakfast item in Ayodhya and all over India. Ayodhya’s Kachori is special for its unique texture and crunch when served hot and crisp with spicy curries or chutneys.
It’s also a festive treat during Diwali and Dussehra in Ayodhya, featuring different types like khasta kachori, matar kachori, and pyaz kachori. Some of the noteworthy kachori vendors or stalls in Ayodhya are Kanhaiya Lal, Ram Bhandar, and Shri Ram Kachori.
Resturantsfinds experts recommend trying the crispy and spicy kachori in Ayodhya at Ram Bhandar, one of the city’s favorite kachori spots.
The kachori is filled with tasty ingredients like dal, potato, onion, or peas and is served with hot curries or chutneys.
5. Rabri
Rabri is a yummy sweet loved in Ayodhya. It’s made by boiling milk until it’s thick and creamy, then adding sugar and cardamom. Served in earthen pots, Rabri is rich and smooth.
You can enjoy it plain or with treats like malpua (deep-fried pancakes), jalebi (deep-fried spirals in sugar syrup), or kulfi (frozen milk dessert).
For tasty Rabri in Ayodhya, you can check out New Parag Restaurant & Dairy, Ramprastha Hotel, or Shri Kanak Sarkar Rasoi. They serve Rabri in earthen pots and offer different options like malpua, jalebi, or kulfi.
6. Bedai Poori
Bedai Poori is a beloved traditional breakfast in Ayodhya. This deep-fried bread is stuffed with a spiced lentil mixture and served with aloo sabzi (potato curry) and raita (yogurt dip). Crispy on the outside and soft inside, Bedai Poori offers a satisfying and filling taste.
You can find many stalls and shops on Ayodhya streets that serve Bedai Poori. For a hearty breakfast, Restaurantfinds experts recommend heading to places like Shri Sita Rasoi Bhojnalaya & Atithi Niwas, Baba Bhojnalaya, or Bedai Poori. These spots serve Bedai Poori with aloo sabzi, raita, and pickle, providing a delicious start to your day.
7. Litti Chokha
Litti Chokha, a rustic and hearty dish originating from Bihar but also popular in Ayodhya, consists of litti—wheat flour dough balls stuffed with sattu (roasted gram flour) and spices—and chokha, a mashed mixture of roasted eggplant, potato, and tomato.
Cooked over a charcoal fire, Litti Chokha has a smoky and spicy flavor, best enjoyed with ghee (clarified butter) and green chutney.
You can enjoy the smoky flavor at Treta Cafe & Restaurant, Litti Chokha Express, or Thoos Lo. They serve Litti Chokha with ghee and green chutney, along with other delicious dishes like veg biryani, dal makhani, and paneer butter masala.
8. Jalebi
Jalebi is a popular dessert in Ayodhya, known for its crispy, juicy, and flavorful taste. Ayodhya’s jalebi stands out as it is made with rice flour instead of wheat flour, giving it a unique texture and flavor.
In Ayodhya, jalebi is often enjoyed with rabri, a thickened milk dessert, or hot milk for a wholesome treat. Some of the best places to savor jalebi in Ayodhya include Madhuram Sweets, Shree Ram Sweets, and Laxmi Narayan Sweets.
Restaurant Finds recommends relishing the unique and flavorful jalebi at Madhuram Sweets, one of the best places in Ayodhya to enjoy this dessert.
The jalebi here is made with rice flour and soaked in sugar syrup. You can also pair it with rabri or hot milk for a wholesome treat.
9. Lassi
We all know that Lassi is a refreshing drink made of yogurt, water, sugar, and sometimes fruits or spices. Lassi is a common beverage all over Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya, known for its cooling, hydrating, and nutritious qualities.
Moreover, in Ayodhya, Lassi also holds religious significance, as it is offered to Lord Rama and his devotees as prasad.
Ayodhya features different varieties of lassi, including plain lassi, sweet lassi, salted lassi, mango lassi, and masala lassi. Some popular lassi shops in Ayodhya are Shri Ram Lassi, Laxmi Narayan Lassi, and Kanhaiya Lassi.
Restaurantfinds experts recommend trying the lassi at Shri Ram Lassi, one of the city’s popular lassi shops. The lassi here is made with yogurt, water, sugar, and sometimes fruits or spices, and is offered as prasad to Lord Rama and his devotee.
10. Kheer
Kheer is a traditional dessert in Ayodhya, as it is prepared and consumed during auspicious occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and ceremonies. Kheer is also a sacred dessert in Ayodhya, as it is offered to Lord Rama and his devotees as a prasad.
Ayodhya’s kheer is famous for its rich and aromatic flavor, and its smooth and thick consistency. Kheer is a must-have for anyone visiting Ayodhya, as it is a symbol of the city’s culture and spirituality.
You can end your meal with creamy and rich kheer at Shri Kanak Sarkar Rasoi, The Auras Restaurant, or Amma Ki Rasoi. These places serve kheer with dry fruits, saffron, and cardamom, and also offer other desserts like gulab jamun, rasgulla, and rasmalai.
11. Pakora
Pakora is a popular snack in Ayodhya, especially during the rainy season, known for being hot, crunchy, and savory. It is often enjoyed with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or tea, providing a warm and cozy treat.
Ayodhya offers various pakora options like aloo pakora, paneer pakora, onion pakora, and chicken pakora. Famous pakora vendors in Ayodhya include Shri Ram Pakora, Raju Pakora, and Chhotu Pakora.
For delicious pakoras, you can try Makan-Malai Restaurant, offering varieties like cheese pakora, mushroom pakora, and corn pakora. Another option is Baba Bhojnalaya, and Thoos Lo, both serving simple and tasty pakoras along with other snacks.
12. Kulfi
Kulfi is a popular dessert in Ayodhya, especially during the summer season, as it is cold, creamy, and delicious. Kulfi is also a festive dessert in Ayodhya, as it is prepared and enjoyed during Holi, the festival of colors.
Ayodhya has different varieties of kulfi, such as malai kulfi, kesar kulfi, pista kulfi, and falooda kulfi. Some of the best places to have kulfi in Ayodhya are Shri Ram Kulfi, Laxmi Narayan Kulfi, and Kanhaiya Kulfi.
For delicious kulfi, visit Shri Ram Kulfi, one of Ayodhya’s oldest and most famous kulfi shops, offering flavors like malai, kesar, pista, and mango.
Laxmi Narayan Kulfi provides a variety of kulfi and falooda. Grameen Kulfi is a delivery-only service with kulfi available in various sizes and shapes.
Read: 14 Must-Try Famous Street Food in Ujjain
Famous Street Food Vendors and Stalls in Ayodhya
Ayodhya’s street food vendors and stalls are an essential component of the city’s culinary landscape, offering not only delectable treats but also a glimpse into the city’s rich life and history.
Let’s explore some notable street food vendors and stalls in Ayodhya.
1. Shri Ram Bhandar
Near the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Shri Ram Bhandar is an old stall loved for its morning treats. Run by a family with a long history, they make yummy khasta kachori, aloo sabzi, and jalebi. People often come to offer these treats to Lord Rama.
2. Kanhaiya Lal
Near C to Nageshwar Nath temple, Kanhaiya Lal is famous for its soft peda. A father-son duo, with 50 years of experience, makes these treats using pure buffalo milk, sugar, and cardamom. They also offer other sweets like barfi, ladoo, and halwa.
3. Ram Ki Paidi
By the Sarayu river, Ram Ki Paidi turns into a foodie’s paradise in the evening. Many stalls offer snacks like chaat, pakora, samosa, and desserts like lassi and kulfi. People enjoy the view of the river and temples while eating. Ram Ki Paidi is also known for its beautiful river aarti.
4. Hanuman Garhi
Near the Hanuman Garhi temple, you’ll find street food stalls offering tasty treats like ram ladoo, kachori, jalebi, kheer, and rabri.
It’s not just about food; Hanuman Garhi is also a place for religious and cultural activities like bhajans, kirtans, and pravachans.
These popular street food spots in Ayodhya aren’t just about delicious food; they also bring together the city’s culture and spirituality for everyone to enjoy.
Conclusion
Ayodhya’s street food is a tasty mix of history and culture, giving a special and satisfying food experience. It shows off the city’s diversity, liveliness, and richness, reflecting its history, culture, and traditions.
The street food also draws in tourists who want to try the city’s delicious food and connect with its people, culture, and spirituality. Ayodhya’s street food is a must-try for anyone visiting the city, symbolizing its devotion and sweetness.