Chaat

Chaat is an umbrella term for a wide range of Indian street foods, snacks, and small meals that typically combine salty, spicy, sweet, and sour flavors. Chaat is derived from the Hindi verb chaatna, which means to lick, and may refer to the finger-licking good quality of the dishes.

Chaats are typically small, served as a snack or combined with other dishes to form a larger meal. Chaat can be found at chaatwallas (street vendors) throughout India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, serving a variety of dishes ranging from stuffed bread to deep-fried pastries with accompanying dipping sauces.

In India, a chaat stand typically specializes in one or two dishes that are always prepared fresh. If chaat is served in a larger restaurant, it is frequently accompanied by lassi, a traditional Indian drink. Chaat dishes are popular due to their wide variety: from crispy fried potatoes, sevpuri, and pakora to chila pancakes with chutney and pav bhaji, there is a chaat dish for every type of consumer.