Sarafa Bazaar, Indore: India’s Only Night Food-Street
Great Indian Food Trail – Sarafa Bazaar, Indore
There can be no better place than Indore to experience while you are on #GreatIndianFoodTrail, for Indore has a unique phenomenon called India’s only, the busiest, the bizarre bazaar, the most satiating night food-street, a true place to feel salvation and foodgasm – The Sarafa Bazaar.
Indore is the commercial capital of Central India, famous for its rich food culture and cosmopolitan nature specially the night food street of Sarafa Bazaar. Anyone, who has ever been to Indore, will definitely agree that Indore is the Street Food Capital of India well-known for its street food bazaars like Sarafa Bazaar, Chhappan Dukan, Chhawni, Sikh Mohalla to name few.
In true sense, entire Indore and its streets, lanes & by-lanes are all full of food joints, food corners and food vendors. Each one of them has some or other food legends and fan following.
Sarafa Bazaar: As darkness descends it starts to swing
Indore – Food Capital of India
A typical day of an Indorian starts with omnipresent Poha and Jalebi and as day passes Samosa, Kachori, Sev Parmal etc acquire mouthspace and day ends with delicious Paan at Parshwanath, Anna Bhaiya or Karnawat or with Masala Milk/Shikanji at Laxminarayan Dhoodhwala, Naguari Shikanji etc. Further, every meal of the day is accompanied by some sort of snacking everyday of the year.
Indore, situated on the breezy Malwa Plateau, boasts of phenomenally rich food culture mainly because it’s been a melting pot of different cultures for centuries. Ujjain, which is just 60 KM from Indore, has been a centre of world culture and capital of Gupta Dynasty who ushered golden Era in India. Vicinity to Ujjain has crucially influenced Indore, its culture and heritage. Also the fact that Indore lies between two Jyotirlingas Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar, has made it an important en-route location for Hindu Pilgrims. Result is Indore demonstrates a profound cultural mix which is a melange of cultures from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Malwa’s own ages old culture and thus a vivid and vibrant food culture. Fertile black soil of MP also contributes significantly to this by producing everything in abundance and thus making this city a sheer paradise for every food lover.
My tryst with Indore, Sarafa Bazaar & its food culture
Indore has a special place in my heart and I must admit after my mother’s homemade food, Indore is profoundly responsible for developing my test buds. My tryst with Indore and its food started in 1999 and it’s getting stronger and stronger every passing year. So, this time when I reached Indore with my camera and notepad, I wanted to capture the candid food culture of Indore and in this first series dedicated to the city, I will take you to the only night food-street of India i.e. Sarafa Bazaar, which starts at 8PM and goes till 2 AM in the morning. It has most hygienic and wide range of palate satiating dishes to offer confirming the delight of eating out. And Guys, it’s strictly a veg only and hence being a strict vegetarian, I found myself most at ease here.
Vibrant and Vivid: It offers everything to everyone
Sarafa Bazaar – Famous Night Street
The streets behind Rajwada (King’s palace) in Indore are crowded jewelry Market in the day time and hence name Sarafa Bazaar, which started in early 19th century however no one is sure of the origin of the night food bazaar. Some believe it started some 100 years back and was encouraged by jewelry shop owners so that their shops were secured even post midnight. With this in mind they willingly started offering front space of their shop to food vendors and thus Night Food Bazaar came in existence ensuring the streets are empty only for few hours in early morning.
Everyday thousands of people converge here to enjoy the uniqueness
Wide variety & unique food of Sarafa Bazaar
Food vendors, many with legends attached to them, starts converging to Sarafa bazaar around 8 PM and thus bring with them myriad foods, fragrances and definite hustle-bustle amidst cheerful chaos of everyday festivity. Food menu here is full of variety, you name it and certainly you gonna get it. Many among them are only found in this market namely Bhutte Ka kiss, Garadu (Yam root) Chaat, King Size Jalebi fondly known as Jaleba, Basundi, Milk based Shikanji, Alu Pattis etc. Some other item have become iconic in status are Sabudana Ki Khichdi, Dahi Wada, Kulfi, Malpua, Barf ka Gola etc. Other regulars like Pani Puri, Alu Tikki, Samosa, Kachori, variety of sweets are also present. In recent years a lot of space has been acquired by Chinese Food, South Indian, Sandwiches, Pav Bhaji vendors also thus keeping a pace with changing customer demands.
Vendors serving new age food!
Piping Hot Soya Chaps!!
The phenomenon called Sarafa Bazaar, the pride of the Indore, is rarely visible anywhere in India. The sheer indulgence for every foodie.
Fresh and hygienic offerings make it the best place for food lovers!
Here, I list down few must visit shops which offer most scrumptious food and also affectionate hospitality treating every guest as their personal guests –
Famous Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Joshiji ka Dahivada
Joshi Dahibada House: One of many Sarafa’s Legends!!
This iconic shop in the middle of Sarafa is a permanent outlet serving not only the magical Dahivada but also one of the original dishes of the Sarafa the Bhutte Ka kiss. The owner Om Prakash Joshi is a magician in his own fiefdom as he creates a mystical aura around his Dahivada while serving it. After pouring dahi (Curd) over Vada he flips it high in the air without spilling a single drop and as soon it lands back in his hand, he uses other hand’s fingers to sprinkle different spices on the top without mixing them together. It literally cannot be explained but only can be seen and enjoyed in awe. So, when you visit him, do ask him to perform his magical trick for you, as it’s only on demand these days.
Spices ready to be sprinkled at Joshi Dahibada House!!
His another dish Bhutte ka kiss made from shredded corn with spices and coconut is most relished dish of the Sarafa. This one of its kind mouth-watering dish is hardly available anywhere else. Bhutte ka kiss and Dahivada make Joshi a legend in Sarafa and for everyone who visits him.
Famous Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Sanwariya Seth Ki Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana Khichdi of Sanwariya Seth: Father of Sabudana Khichdi in Indore!!
Though Sabudana Khichdi is originated from Maharashtra but certainly found its home & achieved pinnacle only on the streets of Indore. I say so as no city in Maharashtra or anywhere else can boast of as many vendors of Sabudana Khichdi as Indore does. It’s available at every nook and corner of Indore and the best is concocted by Sanwariya Seth of Sarafa Bazaar.
Sabudan Khichdi is a common food for Fasting days in India and hence also known as Fariyali Sabudana Khichdi everywhere in Indore. Famously the punchline of this shop revolve around this and goes like “Upwas mein best….sanwariya ka test (Test of Sanwariya….best for fasting).” The test of this dish at sanwariya is so dearly tempting and juicy that everyone, irrespective of fasting or no fasting, flocks to this shop to have his share of heavenly feeling. It’s again a permanent shop of Sarafa which serves 40-50kg sabudana khichdi in a day which is relished by all.
Sabudana Khichdi punched with spices and affection!!
The owner Jagganath Ji Vyas who belongs to Rajasthan state of Rajput Warriors established this shop way back in 1983 and now with pride his son Om Vyas is carrying the legacy forward. Sabudana must have reached Indore with Maratha Warrior from Maharashtra who ruled the city for centuries, however this delicious dish got its most beloved chef in a Rajasthani from Indore and this is the breathing symbol of eon old cosmopolitan nature of Indore in true sense.
(Foodie’s Note: When you are done with sabudan khichdi here, do buy few packets of potato wafers flavored with hellishly hot red chilli, which will burn all your senses in and out and still leaves you to crave for more.)
Famous Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Agrawal Ice Cream
In the great Sarafa Bazaar’s night food market, where every day is a gala day of lavish spread of food items, Agrawal Ice Cream is famous for its desserts items Ice Creams, Kulfi, Faluda and Shrikhand. This 55 years old shop is located just opposite to the Police Station of Sarafa and commands strong fans following.
Mukesh Agarwal: A pride owner of the shop!!
They still prepare Ice Cream in old and traditional ways which is known as Fresh Saanche ki Icecream (Freach Mould’s Icecream). I met Mr. Mukesh Agarwal who is the son of founder Shiv Narayan Agarwal Ji who came from Amravati in 60’s to start this shop and now Mukesh’s sons are also involved in this family business. Again Amravati is in the south of Indore in the state of Maharashtra, corroborating the fact that Sarafa is by everyone, of everyone, for everyone.
There most famous concoction is the Hapus ice cream made from the pulp of Alphonso Mango, The King of Mangos. They source pure pulp of Alphonso directly from the Ratnagiri, which is the only place where original Alphonsos are grown. The quality and test of this particular ice cream is so rich with Alphonso flavor that it feels as if you are eating fresh Alphonso. Their other claim to fame is saffron flavored Shrikhand which also has the small pieces of pistachio and cashews.
Hapus Ice Cream with Shrikhand: Unforgettable and matchless!!
If your sweet tooth craves for ice cream then it’s the place on the earth you must go to relish ice cream of olden era. And I must thank Mukesh Ji for extending his earnest hospitality and next time for sure, I will visit his shop empty stomach to relish his Kulfi Faluda and other delicacies.
Unique Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Jai Bhole Jalebi Bhandar
Abode of Jaleba: Jai Bhole Jalebi Bhandar
OH-MY-GOD could be the only expression on anyone’s face while ogling at single 250 gram Jalebi being fried in Pure Desi Ghee at this shop and they famously and fondly call it Jaleba the king size Jalebi. This Jaleba was first fried and sugar-coated by Sohan Lal Vyas who hails from Rajasthan in the year 1988. When he first started to dish out this Jaleba in late evening hours from his corner shop, people mocked at him because till then, in Indore, Jalebi was a regular food item to be relished only in morning with Poha (Puffed Rice dish). Mr. Vyas’ good sense prevailed and finally foodies of Indore accepted this savory which is now one of its kinds. With his expert hands, he can prepare one Jaleba of upto 500 gram sizing up to table tennis bat, which is unique, unparalleled and unseen.
The Grand Jaleba!!
This gastronomic piping hot grandeur is a must-have original when you visit Sarafa. Make sure you order only 100 gram Jaleba in one go!!
(Foodie’s Note: If your palate craves for more and stomach allows, you must try Malpua also at this shop which is again mind-blowing!)
Awesome Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Jain Shri Baraf Gola (Ice Ball)
“Arre yaar kya dhansu hai baraf gola” which means – Wow, oh dear, this ice ball is darnly awesome.
“Khaya tha bachpan mein yaad aaya 55 me” which means – you had it in childhood but remember even after adulthood.
Are Yaar Dhansu hai baraf Gola
Khaya tha Bachpan me yaad aayee pachpan (55) me.
These punchlines tell a lot about the owner of the shop and his marketing mind as no one can miss these line written atop his push-kart. Jain Sahab as fondly known is a man full of vibrancy and has been dishing out colorful Baraf ka golla since many decades. I remember my first visit to this kart in the year 2000 and how affectionately the Baraf ka Gola took me in his embrace. And since then I must have visited his shops for umpteen times and while juicing out Gola I always kept reading those dhansu lines.
Colorful Push Kart and indulging customers!
So, this time when I reached the place which is designated for him, I found a push-kart but he was not there. So just to make sure it is his kart, I searched for the punch line <strong><em>“khaya tha bachpan mein yaad aaya 55 mein”</em>So, this time when I reached the place which is designated for him, I found a push-kart but he was not there. So just to make sure it is his kart, I searched for the punch line “khaya tha bachpan mein yaad aaya 55 mein” and bingo!! The line was still there vouching that it’s his lorry. Next, I asked the teen-aged boy who was busy in crushing the ice about the owner and here Mr. Jain appeared from the behind putting his hand on my shoulders. Yeyy! I really acted like a child seeing him, such is the aura around him, his vibrant shop and his colorfully testy Gola that actually brings out child in you.
Everyone becomes a child here!!
Being there was like going back into the whirls of the memories when as a child we used to crush ice and after pouring Rooh-afza used to relish home-made Gola. Orange, Kala Khatta, Khas, Pilawalla (the yellow One), Red Rose etc are the name of the flavors that Mr. Jain prepares at home with his own recipe and also pours some home-made masala on the top of Gola. He claims that with this masala, his Gola never causes any cough or cold.
Mr. Jain: Thanks for offering a childlike liberty to us and fulfilling our demands of pouring your juicy flavors again and again!
This Baraf Ka Gola is bang opposite Agarwal Icecream Shop and finding myself standing between these two shops was tad too nostalgic and childish feeling for me and in my spot-on dream I weaved my own world full of ice creams, slush, kulfi and colorful ice candies and envisaged myself truly as protagonist of Candy Crush Saga. He he!!
Guys, do visit this shop and lick the juice out of gola as if no one is watching.
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Best Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Anna Bhaiya’s Pan
Anna Bhaiyya: Shutterless Paan Shop!
As you move out of Sarafa Bazaar and reach Main Rajwada square my strong suggestion is to wind up your indulgence with Anna’s Paan (Betel leaf delicacy). This will certainly heightened your savory senses and ensure the entire Sarafa experience is deeply engraved in your memory.
Anna Bhaiyya’s paan shop is a more than 100 years old shutter less shop which was started by his Father Late Mr. Lala Ram Ji Chaurasiya lovingly known as Lalla Seth and now third generation is also involved in this pride profession. Forefathers of Anna Bhaiyya had the opportunity and distinction to serve Kings of Holkers as well. The shop has also hosted luminaries like first Prime Minister of India Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru, queen of melody Lata Mangeshker etc.
Indorian have a special appetite for Paans as the city boasts of many famous Pan shops such as legendary Anna Bhaiyya, iconic Parshwnath and omnipresent Karnawat. They have championed the art of making delicious and mouth dissolving Pan but Anna Bhaiyya’s Shop stands tall and notches above all.
Family of Anna Bhaiyya belongs to the clan of Chaurasiya’s from Raibareilly district of Uttar Pradesh and this clan is synonym to the art of Paan making. While interacting with him he passionately disclosed the aspect of evolution of Paan in india. As per him earlier there was nothing like Meetha Paan (Sweet Betel Delicacy) and it’s just a 40-50 years old phenomenon. He listed down some important milestone of this evolution:
1st being the advent of Chaman Bahar and Belgam Paan Masala in sixties, 2nd in early seventies when Baba’s Paan Chatni made the enroute to Paan’s ecosystem, and in between these two milestones somewhere in mid sixties Gulkand (Jam of Wild Roses) came and meetha paan started to roll out from Paan shops in full swing.
Anna Bhaiyya and his family members are the masters in the art of Paan making and his special serving method is a part of Rajwada’s folklore as he never let you to touch the Paan and always pops it in your mouth with his hands only. When his Meetha Paan, rolled and twisted with all the ingredients, enters your mouth, palate feels refreshed and juicy flavors burst in your mouth making you feel out of this world.
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Street Food at Sarafa Bazaar – Random Shots
So, here ends the tale of Sarafa Bazaar for now. For me, however, this journey was full of nostalgia and brought me closer to my favorite city Indore and its vibrant food culture. I visited this place in the summer and hence missed winter only spicy Garadu Chaat and also as my stomach was full I couldn’t relish other famous shops of Sarafa like Vijay Chaat House, Nagauri Shikanji, Bairav Nath Rabdi Guru and Swadisht Samosa. In my next visit, I will cover these shops and conclude this story of Sarafa.
Vivid varieties in Sarafa!
An unending journey filled with nostalgia!!
Random Shot: A serving of Kulfi!!
Random Shot: Desi Ghee ki Alu Tikki!!
Random Shot: Gulabjamun
Random Shot: Hustle Bustle of Sarafa
Random Shot: It’s not just about food here. Everyday festivity is the motto!
Paradise of Food Lovers!
As a concluding thought, I have to admit that the taste of all delicacies is still same as it was 15 years back when I entered this unique and vivid night food street bazaar first time. And, I strongly feel that McDonalds and KFCs of the world must visit this place to understand how such standardization is possible without deploying modern technologies. I think it’s possible because food vendors here are passionate about their heritage and have highest order of pride on what they do and serve. May this tradition continue forever!! Amen!!
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Great Indian Food Trail is an Initiative by Everything Candid where we aim to bring best of Indian Food for all salivating-foodie souls. Our mission is to attend salvation through food. Let’s be together in this journey.
If you feel motivated, please share this blog post with your loved ones so that they can break the mundane cycle of everyday life and explore the world.
Your post reveals how much you love the city. After reading your post I wish to visit the place and have those tasty soya chaps and spicy Khichdi on the streets of Sarafa Bazar 😀
Your post reveals how much you love the city. After reading your post I wish to visit the place and have those sinful soya chaps and spicy Khichdi on the streets of Sarafa Bazar 🙂
This place is so colourful. And yes it looks like some festival place as you said. Reminded me of our local temple festival. I think you are specialising in culinary journey 😀 Yet another mouth watering post. And vibrant pictures 🙂
Sarafa is indeed very vibrant. A must visit. And thanks for ur comment. Ha ha…. I m so damn foodie that I end up exploring food. And street food certainly excites me.
I can just smell all the spices in the air! What a great place to have dinner. My husband would be in Indian Food Heaven! yum yum. You’ve given us a new item for the bucket list!
Indian cuisine is among my favorite. My mouth was watering reading your post! I have to get to India soon so I can try some of these great treats. Great post guys!
I have always loved street food markets. The idea of being able to sample many foods and to see what you are ordering before you get it is very appealing plus I love the sounds and smells of busy places
You had me at, street food capital of India. Then I saw all of the photos and read the descriptions of the markets and am sold on visiting Indore. I now feel like the ice cream.
Sounds like a fantastic experience, and I would really love to have the chance to visit and sample some of these dishes. I was always worried about eating street food when I traveled, though I’ve since come to realize that in many cases street food is often more hygienic than a lot of the Western restaurants because you can see your food being cooked in front of you, as you said, the locals have a huge passion for upholding their trandtions and heritage, and they have a high turn over so everything is generally always fresh. So I would absolutely visit the night food street in Indore 🙂
I love night markets with lots of food! This would be right up my alley and I would eat until I couldn’t eat anymore. Great job capturing all the different food!
lovely, didn’t know there was only one night street food market. Loving the colorful desserts. In India this week and can’t help but try out lots of different foods
Sarafa is the best…variety and taste is matchless indeed. Just to add, it’s not only. Chandigarh has one, close to Punjab University. Hope you will give it a try. 🙂
Thank God, non-veg food items are not there or limited in the Sarafa bazar otherwise the place would be crowded with stray dogs with foul smell all around and attracts the drunk ones.
Have not been to India yet and I can’t wait to indulge in the street food. Everything looks so amazing and so perfectly described. I’m really glad to read about the high hygiene standards because it is the one thing that is holding me back. Great overview!
Come and visit India. You would love it for food and every other thing. Get in touch with me when you plan fro Delhi. Will take you to real food streets here.
Oh my! I am craving for all that food now after reading your post. I spent some of my schooling years in Indore and cant forget the heavenly taste of bhutte ka kiss, shikanji, dahi wada. But some items are new for me, dont remember indulging in hapus icecream.
You’ve succeeded in making me hungry. One of my favorite things to do when traveling it to visit markets and try the local street food. My only problem is choosing what I’d like to try most.
We had a lot about Indore and its history but we are surprised we never heard about the amazing food scene here. The food looks scrumptious, have never tried Soya Chaps and Dahi Vada is my favorite definitely cannot miss it.
Ooh – how lovely that you had so much of this delicious food from your mother’s own hand! I’ll have to tell my husband about it. He’s vegetarian, so it would make him very happy to try it all.
Sarafa Bazar has my name on it. It looks like a foodie’s nirvana. I think I would be totally overwhelmed visiting for the first time, and your list of your favourite places is greatly appreciated.
The haps ice cream looks fantastic. The perfect way to finish a grazing meal of all those vendors.
This place and also food is so colorful. By reading your article I could imagine myself there. I could feel the vibes and all the noise. Do you know what they add to it, which makes it so red or green?
Oh my gosh. A night street food street?! YES PLEASE! The Jaleba sounds so incredible. Great tip not getting one bigger than a 100 gram Jaleba, it sounds super rich, but super delicious!
That is decadent! I have never been to Indore but I have heard about how amazing the street food is there and I am not surprised to read a post that talks so highly of it. I did not, however, know about this night food street market and the fact that it is open until 2 am makes it perfect. I do hope that it is a safe though, knowing that smaller cities in India can be quite unsafe for women. Would love to try that food some day!
I’m a huge fan of night food markets, but the concept of a night food street is awesome! Sarafa Bazar is definitely my kind of place because I love to try authentic food in a great atmosphere. I’ve never visited India, but I’ll add this to places I want to see when I do!
Oooh, that Sabudana Khichadi makes me want to have some right now. I have not visited the Sarafa market but have heard a lot abt it. I hope to be able to visit and now with your pointers know exactly where to go. Cheers
Wow. What a detailed post about food travel! I love street food and I can picture myself in your shoes on that very market. I can’t wait till I actually hit up the street markets! The Sabudana Khichdi looks so delish. Leave me some! lol!
I did not know that Sarafa is the street food capital of India. But understandable with so many different cultures there. I have never heard of a market that is just veggie though. But it looks like there are so many options!
Love the look of the Sarafa Bazaar and street food is always a draw for me. I like the jewelry shop owner theory to create the food stalls to ensure safety, brilliant really
Such an interesting place it is crowded jewelry Market during the days and during the nights becomes street food market! It is a very unique place and the jewelry shop owner theory is kind of smart.
This looks like the perfect place for us to visit. We just adore Indian food, its our favourite by far and we also love local markets too where there is a busy hustle and bustle of everyday people. They are great places to meet local people and speak with them, learn about the culture and to try new things!
Sarafa Bazaar looks like a vibrant decadent foodie destination! I love that it is very hygienic, and that totally vegetarian. I would love to try the giant Jaleba when I am feeling hungry – or perhaps to share!
Finding good food from street vendors can be hit and miss! But they often have the most authentic foods overall! It looked like you had many delicious options to choose from!
I love to see shows put on by chefs so I would love to see Om Prakash Joshi do his thing! Also the Agrawal ice cream…mango and ice cream in the same sentence, absolutely yes! I love that the Sarafa Bazaar is open from 8pm-2a. A night-only food street is really cool!
Last weekend we were planning a foodie trip to Indore with a group of our cousins and all of us were making half-baked guesses about the streets foods we would find in the city. Now that I have come across your post, I will be sharing it with them. Sarafa Bazaar’s specialties may have us planning the trip sooner than imagined.
Everything Candid 
Liked reading your candid description of Indore replete with hapus icecream, jalebi , sabudana khichdi & paan. 🙂
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Thanks for visiting and liking.
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thanks Somali! This place is awesome…a must visit for any food lover.
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Amazing sirji….
Remembered those days…:) Superlyk
Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S III Please excuse brevity and typos…
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Your post reveals how much you love the city. After reading your post I wish to visit the place and have those tasty soya chaps and spicy Khichdi on the streets of Sarafa Bazar 😀
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Your post reveals how much you love the city. After reading your post I wish to visit the place and have those sinful soya chaps and spicy Khichdi on the streets of Sarafa Bazar 🙂
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You absorbed it so correctly. I loooov the city. Thanks. Sarafa is awesome. Every sinful act turns into soulful memory here…
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This place is so colourful. And yes it looks like some festival place as you said. Reminded me of our local temple festival. I think you are specialising in culinary journey 😀 Yet another mouth watering post. And vibrant pictures 🙂
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Sarafa is indeed very vibrant. A must visit. And thanks for ur comment. Ha ha…. I m so damn foodie that I end up exploring food. And street food certainly excites me.
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That’s cool. Self drive food trips it is! 😀
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Ha ha…it seems to be evolving like this….
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haha.. I think that is nice to have a specialised category 🙂
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A forthight description propells me to dwell there yet again. Unrelenting Nostalgia!! I am sure you understand bang on what I mean!!!
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Thanks for visiting….and yes i can very well understand and feel that nostalgia! C u around.
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Geard a lot of Indori food. Your post brings it alive. The food culture in MP is rich with its milk cake and gajaks. Nice.
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Thanks for dropping by. Indore is really a food paradise. A must visit place for every foodie.
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Indore is the best place to eat variety of food
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Absolutely. Indore is paradise for food lovers!!!!
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I can just smell all the spices in the air! What a great place to have dinner. My husband would be in Indian Food Heaven! yum yum. You’ve given us a new item for the bucket list!
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Thanks for the lovely words. Do connect with me whenever you plan for this place and for street food in India/Delhi. 🙂
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Indian cuisine is among my favorite. My mouth was watering reading your post! I have to get to India soon so I can try some of these great treats. Great post guys!
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Thanks…. a foodie india is a must visit place.
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I have always loved street food markets. The idea of being able to sample many foods and to see what you are ordering before you get it is very appealing plus I love the sounds and smells of busy places
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So true and it reflects the traditiona nd culture of the place as well.
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You had me at, street food capital of India. Then I saw all of the photos and read the descriptions of the markets and am sold on visiting Indore. I now feel like the ice cream.
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Thanks… its indees heaven for street food. You can club other near by locatiosn while you plan Indore.
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I can’t wait to return to India in a few months! This post made me hungry!! Would love to check out the late-night street food scene in Indore.
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It a great place and must be high on ur bucketlist.
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my favourite thing about travel is the food, this food sounds amazing, so much i’ve never heard of before!
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Its indeed unique place. Locals are crazy for this and it has cult status in central india.
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Sounds like a fantastic experience, and I would really love to have the chance to visit and sample some of these dishes. I was always worried about eating street food when I traveled, though I’ve since come to realize that in many cases street food is often more hygienic than a lot of the Western restaurants because you can see your food being cooked in front of you, as you said, the locals have a huge passion for upholding their trandtions and heritage, and they have a high turn over so everything is generally always fresh. So I would absolutely visit the night food street in Indore 🙂
Thanks for the vivid descriptions 🙂
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I love night markets with lots of food! This would be right up my alley and I would eat until I couldn’t eat anymore. Great job capturing all the different food!
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Thanks for dropping by and for your kind comment. Come to india and you would find such street food markets in every city.
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Yum, the food all looks delicious, especially that ice cream! What a fun place to explore–I love all the colors!
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This inndeed is one of the most vibrant i hv ever been to.
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Mmmm it looks so delicious, crowdy and spicy 🙂 This is how I imagined India 🙂
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This is an integral aspect if India!!! 🙂
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This is what puts a smile on my face 🙂 Thank you for sharing this!
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Makes me want to eat Indian food now!
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This looks great. Such variety to the food and the atmosphere is fantastic. Thanks for sharing this, I am pinning it should I ever make it there!
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Oh my god indeed! This is perfect for Craig and I – he loves Indian food and I prefer veggie meals. Those puddings looks great too.
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Thanks. Surely would would both love this place immensely!
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lovely, didn’t know there was only one night street food market. Loving the colorful desserts. In India this week and can’t help but try out lots of different foods
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You would get a lot of food option… do enjoy the spicedom!
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Sarafa is the best…variety and taste is matchless indeed. Just to add, it’s not only. Chandigarh has one, close to Punjab University. Hope you will give it a try. 🙂
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Thank Prahat Ji. Will plan to visit Chandigarh and take further detail from you.
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Thank God, non-veg food items are not there or limited in the Sarafa bazar otherwise the place would be crowded with stray dogs with foul smell all around and attracts the drunk ones.
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So true.
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Have not been to India yet and I can’t wait to indulge in the street food. Everything looks so amazing and so perfectly described. I’m really glad to read about the high hygiene standards because it is the one thing that is holding me back. Great overview!
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Come and visit India. You would love it for food and every other thing. Get in touch with me when you plan fro Delhi. Will take you to real food streets here.
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Oh my! I am craving for all that food now after reading your post. I spent some of my schooling years in Indore and cant forget the heavenly taste of bhutte ka kiss, shikanji, dahi wada. But some items are new for me, dont remember indulging in hapus icecream.
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Are wah, it means you are part Indori 🙂
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You’ve succeeded in making me hungry. One of my favorite things to do when traveling it to visit markets and try the local street food. My only problem is choosing what I’d like to try most.
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We had a lot about Indore and its history but we are surprised we never heard about the amazing food scene here. The food looks scrumptious, have never tried Soya Chaps and Dahi Vada is my favorite definitely cannot miss it.
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Ooh – how lovely that you had so much of this delicious food from your mother’s own hand! I’ll have to tell my husband about it. He’s vegetarian, so it would make him very happy to try it all.
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Sarafa Bazar has my name on it. It looks like a foodie’s nirvana. I think I would be totally overwhelmed visiting for the first time, and your list of your favourite places is greatly appreciated.
The haps ice cream looks fantastic. The perfect way to finish a grazing meal of all those vendors.
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This place and also food is so colorful. By reading your article I could imagine myself there. I could feel the vibes and all the noise. Do you know what they add to it, which makes it so red or green?
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Oh my gosh. A night street food street?! YES PLEASE! The Jaleba sounds so incredible. Great tip not getting one bigger than a 100 gram Jaleba, it sounds super rich, but super delicious!
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That is decadent! I have never been to Indore but I have heard about how amazing the street food is there and I am not surprised to read a post that talks so highly of it. I did not, however, know about this night food street market and the fact that it is open until 2 am makes it perfect. I do hope that it is a safe though, knowing that smaller cities in India can be quite unsafe for women. Would love to try that food some day!
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Medha,
Safara Bazaar, Indore is too safe for women even at 2 AM.
Regards,
Himanshu
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I’m a huge fan of night food markets, but the concept of a night food street is awesome! Sarafa Bazar is definitely my kind of place because I love to try authentic food in a great atmosphere. I’ve never visited India, but I’ll add this to places I want to see when I do!
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Oooh, that Sabudana Khichadi makes me want to have some right now. I have not visited the Sarafa market but have heard a lot abt it. I hope to be able to visit and now with your pointers know exactly where to go. Cheers
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Wow. What a detailed post about food travel! I love street food and I can picture myself in your shoes on that very market. I can’t wait till I actually hit up the street markets! The Sabudana Khichdi looks so delish. Leave me some! lol!
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I did not know that Sarafa is the street food capital of India. But understandable with so many different cultures there. I have never heard of a market that is just veggie though. But it looks like there are so many options!
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Wow! There’s so much to sample you’d need to spend a week here to do the market justice. I’d make a beeline for that Jalebi stand!
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Love the look of the Sarafa Bazaar and street food is always a draw for me. I like the jewelry shop owner theory to create the food stalls to ensure safety, brilliant really
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Such an interesting place it is crowded jewelry Market during the days and during the nights becomes street food market! It is a very unique place and the jewelry shop owner theory is kind of smart.
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This looks like the perfect place for us to visit. We just adore Indian food, its our favourite by far and we also love local markets too where there is a busy hustle and bustle of everyday people. They are great places to meet local people and speak with them, learn about the culture and to try new things!
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Sarafa Bazaar looks like a vibrant decadent foodie destination! I love that it is very hygienic, and that totally vegetarian. I would love to try the giant Jaleba when I am feeling hungry – or perhaps to share!
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Finding good food from street vendors can be hit and miss! But they often have the most authentic foods overall! It looked like you had many delicious options to choose from!
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Indore does look like a foodie’s paradise! I love how fresh and colorful all the different dishes look. They really jump out of your photos!
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Indore does look like a foodie’s paradise! I love how fresh and colorful all the different dishes look. They really jump out of your photos!
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I love to see shows put on by chefs so I would love to see Om Prakash Joshi do his thing! Also the Agrawal ice cream…mango and ice cream in the same sentence, absolutely yes! I love that the Sarafa Bazaar is open from 8pm-2a. A night-only food street is really cool!
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Last weekend we were planning a foodie trip to Indore with a group of our cousins and all of us were making half-baked guesses about the streets foods we would find in the city. Now that I have come across your post, I will be sharing it with them. Sarafa Bazaar’s specialties may have us planning the trip sooner than imagined.
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