Jilebi and Vada-pau make it to a list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia

Street foods have become the norms in any country. The world today has much to offer and one of these is the mouthwatering street foods. Those who operate these joints try their utmost to promote the cuisine unique to their own country. These could be in the raw or fried, baked, or even refrigerated. A list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia shows jilebi and vada pav as favorites of India. For our neighbor Pakistan, it is falooda and for Bangladesh, it is fuchka. Both are favorites of India also.

Jilebi is a sweet and people in Kolkata and Bengal love to take it as a part of breakfast. It is easy to make and cheap. Obviously, there are many takers and a combination of kachuri and jilebi is always on the cards for the common man. Kachuri is also very popular and ovens begin making these items even before the day breaks. Customers literally queue up to share the hot kachuris with a few jilebi. In Maharashtra, jilebis do not find a place at breakfast but are a welcome treat later in the day. They also appear during marriage feasts.

Vada pav is an Indian version of the burger and is popular in Mumbai. The outer portion is a bread-like casing stuffed with a mixture of mashed potato, onion, chilly, chopped coriander leaves and spices. The mixture is made into balls. These are then dipped in a batter of besan (powdered gram) and are deep-fried. Each of these balls is then stuffed into the bread (better known as pav) and then served.

Other street foods country wise (alphabetically) are –

Bangladesh – Fuchka
Bhutan - Ema datshi
Brunei - Kuih cincin
Cambodia - Lort cha
China - Jianbing, Jiaozi, Laping, Tibet, Rou jia mo, Xiao long bao
Hong Kong - Cheong fun, Curry fish balls, Egg waffles
Indonesia - Gado gado, Getuk, Kerak telor
Japan - Sofuto kurimu, Takoyaki, Yakitori
Laos - Khao jee, Nam khao
Malaysia - Asam laksa, Nasi lemak, Rojak
Maldives - Kavaabu, Khuushuur
Myanmar - Lahpet thoke, Mohinga
Nepal - Momos,
Pakistan - Bun kebab, Falooda,
Philippines - Halo-halo, Kwek kwek
Sri Lanka - Achcharu, Hoppers
Singapore - Chili crab, Kaya toast
South Korea - Kimbap, Tteokbokki
Thailand - Crab omelets, Khao soi, Sai krok Isan
Taiwan - Salt & pepper fried chicken, Stinky tofu
Vietnam - Banh mi, Iced coffee, Pho

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He came to attend my marriage all the way from Nashik

Here is the twelfth unforgettable character in my life …

I was surprised to see him at the venue of my marriage. I had distributed the invitation cards to my colleagues and friends in Nashik and had come to Kolkata for the ceremony. When I gave him the card, he had never hinted that he would come all the way from Nashik to join in the merrymaking. The reason of his sudden arrival was that both of us hailed from Kolkata proper while most of the other Bengalis in Nashik at that time came from various districts. He was from Kalighat and I was from Lake Town.

This friend of mine was a born orator and it was natural that he become a leader in the employee’s union. He would go on stage and keep his audience spellbound with his power of speech. Being a union leader he enjoyed special privileges and was always in demand.
One more feather got added to his cap when the regular priest, who performed Durga Puja, retired and moved out from the township – my friend was the automatic choice since, by then, he had acquired some experience as assistant to his senior. During Kali puja, he would maintain a maun-brata (period of silence) for more than twenty four hours – till completion of the rituals.
In private life, he had two daughters and his in-laws stayed with him. Both the daughters are happily married.
Throughout his life he had maintained his health, had remained slim with no accumulation of belly fat and, when the fashion of yoga came into practice, he mastered the art. He used to conduct classes for others and took pride in his staying powers. But, suddenly, he suffered a stroke. He was struck by paralysis and, finally, left for heavenly abode.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Lord Shiva’s views on Kalighat and marriages (satire)

Lord Shiva was taking his early morning walk among the hillocks of Mount Kailash. It was a daily routine meant to keep his body fit. His eyes suddenly fell on Kalighat – it was home to a fiery lady who loved to live simple so that her devoted followers could roll in money.
Lord Siva beckoned to Durga who was tinkering in the kitchen – she had learnt a couple of new recipes and wanted to try them out. Shiva would have to be her guinea pig.
‘What is bothering you now?’ she sounded annoyed.
‘Things are happening in Kalighat,’ Shiva said.
‘Things always happens in Kalighat,’ Durga replied in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘You know why it is famous, don’t you?'

‘You don’t understand,’ Shiva sighed. ‘The lady appears to be moving out from the place.’
‘Nonsense,’ Durga came and stood beside her Lord. ‘She is attached to it and will not leaving right now.’
‘You mean she will leave but is waiting for an auspicious time?’
‘Sort of,’ Durga replied. ‘She has set her eyes on bigger stuff. She is bubbling with energy and this place is choking her.’
‘Tell me one thing – how will she adjust herself to a life away from her home? A life minus jhal muri, telebhaja, langcha?’
Durga smiled.
‘Women can adjust to any change – it is a gift that they possess. After marriage, the girls adapt to their new homes in no time.’
It was now Shiva’s turn to smile.
‘From what I see and hear, today’s marriages do not last a lifetime,’ he said.
‘You are mistaken,’ Durga objected. ‘There are so many TV reality shows where women participants talk about their married lives, how they met, how they tied the knot, how they are living happily ever after.’
‘Fine. But – I would like to know how many of the knots are still intact? How long did the bond last? From what I know, filmdom is chock-full of actors and actresses who have married more than once. It seems to be a trend, a sort of fashion. Tell me - to succeed, do you need to change partners.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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