Top 11 Foods of North India to Try in This Monsoon: A Flavourful Guide

Monsoon season is like a call for all things cozy and delicious, and North Indian cuisine is the perfect answer! Think of it as a culinary adventure through the Best North Indian Monsoon Food, where each dish is a warm hug on a rainy day. From crispy Pakoras to sweet Ghewar, these 11 dishes aren't just food—they're an experience! So, grab your chai, get comfy, and dive into these Foods of North India to Try in This Monsoon. Your taste buds are in for a treat! 

• Ghewar (Rajasthan)

Ghewar is a must-try sweet from Rajasthan, especially during festivals like Teej and Raksha Bandhan. Picture a honeycomb-shaped treat made from flour, ghee, and sugar syrup, topped with nuts and saffron. It's not just a feast for your taste buds with its rich, sweet flavour and melt-in-your-mouth crunch, but also a visual delight with its intricate, golden appearance. This is the Best Indian Monsoon Food that doubles as a work of art on your plate!

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup ghee, 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar, saffron strands, cardamom powder, chopped nuts.

Recipe: 

1. Mix flour with water to form a smooth batter.
2. Heat ghee in a pan, pour batter through a perforated ladle to create a honeycomb texture.
3. Fry until golden brown. 
4. Prepare sugar syrup flavoured with saffron and cardamom.
5. Dip the fried Ghewar in the syrup and let it soak. 
6. Garnish with nuts and serve.

• Bhutta (Grilled Corn)

Bhutta is the quintessential Best Indian Monsoon Food . It is a monsoon must-have across India, especially in the northern regions. Imagine hot, smoky corn on the cob, perfectly grilled and seasoned with a mix of lime, chili powder, and salt. The combination of tangy and spicy flavours makes it an irresistible snack, ideal for munching on while watching the rain. It's definitely the Food of North India to Try in This Monsoon—simple, easy to prepare, and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients: Fresh corn on the cob, 1 lemon, chili powder, salt.

Recipe: 

1. Grill the corn over an open flame or on a grill until charred.
2. Cut a lemon in half, dip it in chili powder and salt and rub it all over the hot corn.
3. Serve hot as a spicy, tangy snack.

• Pakoras (Various States)

Pakoras are the ultimate monsoon snack—crispy, golden, and oh-so-versatile! Whether you make them with veggies or chicken, these deep-fried fritters are perfect for enjoying with a hot cup of tea. The crunchy outside and soft, flavourful inside make them irresistible, especially with the warming blend of spices in the batter. It's no wonder pakoras are a beloved Best Indian Monsoon Food. They're the perfect food of North India to Try in This Monsoon, adding a delicious crunch to rainy days!

Ingredients: 1 cup gram flour, water, assorted vegetables (onions, potatoes, spinach), spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder), salt, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Mix gram flour with water and spices to form a thick batter.
2. Slice vegetables and coat them in the batter.
3. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the coated vegetables until crispy.
4. Drain excess oil on paper towels and serve with mint chutney or ketchup.

• Kachori (Rajasthan/Uttar Pradesh)

Think of Kachori as the ultimate comfort food—spicy, stuffed pastries filled with lentils or peas, straight from the heart of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These flaky delights are best enjoyed with tangy chutneys or creamy yogurt. Perfect for anyone who loves a bit of heat and a lot of flavour, Kachori is a must-try, best Indian Monsoon Food for a cozy snack session.

Ingredients: For dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 4 tbsp ghee, water; For filling: 1 cup split green gram (moong dal), spices (asafoetida, cumin, coriander), salt, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Make a dough with flour, ghee and water. Rest it.
2. Cook moong dal with spices for the filling.
3. Divide the dough into small balls, flatten them and fill with the spiced dal mixture.
4. Seal the edges, flatten slightly and deep fry until golden brown.
5. Serve with tamarind chutney.

• Kadhi Pakora (Punjab)

Picture this: a creamy, tangy yogurt-based curry with delicious gram flour dumplings floating around. That's Kadhi Pakora, a Punjabi favourite, perfect for a rainy day meal with rice. The mix of tangy and spicy flavours makes this dish a warm hug in a bowl. If you're looking for a comforting and rich and best Indian Monsoon Food, this one's a top pick!

Ingredients: For Kadhi: 2 cups yogurt, 1/2 cup gram flour, 4 cups water, spices (turmeric, cumin, fenugreek seeds), salt; For Pakoras: 1 cup gram flour, sliced onions, spices, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Mix yogurt with gram flour, water and spices, then simmer.
2. For pakoras, mix gram flour with spices and onions, then fry in hot oil.
3. Add the fried pakoras to the simmering kadhi and cook for a few minutes.
4. Serve hot with steamed rice.

• Chole Bhature (Delhi/Punjab)

This classic Punjabi combo is all about bold flavours and hearty eating. Spicy chickpeas paired with fluffy, deep-fried bread—what’s not to love? Chole Bhature is perfect for those days when you want to indulge in a satisfying and filling meal. It’s the ultimate Best Indian Monsoon Food, guaranteed to lift your spirits on a gloomy day.

Ingredients: For Chole: 2 cups chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, spices (garam masala, cumin, coriander), salt; For Bhature: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, a pinch of baking soda, salt, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Soak chickpeas overnight, cook them, then make a curry with onions, tomatoes and spices.
2. Make a dough with flour, yogurt and baking soda, let it rest, then roll into small discs.
3. Deep fry the discs until puffed and golden.
4. Serve the chole with bhature, along with onions and pickles.

• Samosas (Various States)

Crunchy on the outside, soft and spicy on the inside, samosas are the perfect tea-time treat. Filled with potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat, these triangular delights are the best food of North India to Try in This Monsoon. They’re a street food favourite that’s great for sharing (or not, we won’t judge!).

Ingredients: For dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 4 tbsp ghee, water; For filling: 4 potatoes, peas, spices (cumin, coriander, garam masala), salt, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Prepare a dough with flour, ghee and water. Let it rest.
2. Make a filling with boiled potatoes, peas and spices.
3. Roll out the dough, cut into strips, fill with the potato mixture and fold into triangles.
4. Seal the edges with water and deep fry until golden brown.
5. Serve hot with mint or tamarind chutney.

• Aloo Tikki (Various States)

Mashed potatoes, spices, and a crispy exterior—Aloo Tikki is street food heaven. Served with chutneys, these patties are perfect for a quick snack or as part of a chaat. The crispy outside and soft, flavorful inside make Aloo Tikki a versatile and beloved best Indian Monsoon Food.

Ingredients: 4 large potatoes, spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder), salt, breadcrumbs, oil for frying.

Recipe: 

1. Boil and mash the potatoes. Add spices and mix well.
2. Shape the mixture into patties, coat with breadcrumbs.
3. Shallow fry until golden brown on both sides.
4. Serve with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or yogurt.

• Momos (Tibetan with Northeast Indian Influence)

Momos are steamed dumplings that have become a popular snack in North India, especially in urban areas and regions influenced by Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine. These dumplings are often filled with minced vegetables or meat and are served with a spicy tomato-based chutney. The tender, juicy filling encased in a thin, steamed dough makes momos a comforting and satisfying Indian monsoon food. Their warm, savoury taste is a perfect Food of North India to try in this monsoon.

Ingredients: For dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, water; For filling: 1 cup finely chopped vegetables or minced meat, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, salt, pepper, oil for sautéing.

Recipe:

1. Prepare the dough by mixing flour with water until smooth, and let it rest.
2. For the filling, sauté garlic and ginger, then add vegetables or meat, season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, and cook until done.
3. Roll out the dough into small circles, place a spoonful of filling in the centre, and fold into a dumpling shape.
4. Steam the momos for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve with a spicy tomato chutney.

• Chaat (Various States)

  

If you love a mix of tangy, spicy, and sweet flavours, chaat is your go-to. From Pani Puri to Bhel Puri, these snacks are an explosion of flavours and textures. They’re perfect for satisfying those rainy day cravings and are a quintessential best Indian Monsoon Food. Chaat is the best Food of North India to Try in This Monsoon, perfect for a flavourful snack time.

Ingredients: For Aloo Chaat: Boiled potatoes, spices (chaat masala, cumin, chili powder), tamarind chutney, mint chutney, yogurt, sev, chopped onions, and coriander.

Recipe:

1. Cube boiled potatoes and toss with chaat masala, cumin, and chili powder.
2. Arrange on a plate and top with tamarind and mint chutneys, yogurt, and a generous sprinkle of sev.
3. Garnish with chopped onions and fresh coriander.
4. Serve immediately for the best flavour.

• Instant  Noodles

Sometimes, nothing beats a hot bowl of instant noodles, especially when it’s raining outside. Quick, easy, and oh-so-satisfying, instant noodles are a staple comfort food. While not traditionally North Indian, they’ve become the best Indian Monsoon Food for their convenience and warmth. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal on a rainy day! Adding vegetables, eggs, or a dash of your favourite spices makes it the best Indian monsoon food. It's the food of North India to try in this monsoon, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients: Instant noodles, water, optional: vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers), eggs, chili flakes.

Recipe:

1. Boil water and add instant noodles along with the seasoning packet.
2. Add vegetables and cook until noodles are done and vegetables are tender.
3. Optionally, add an egg to the boiling noodles for added protein.
4. Sprinkle with chili flakes and serve hot.

• Tea and Coffee: Perfect Companions for Monsoon Delicacies

No monsoon experience is complete without a hot cup of tea or coffee. Masala Chai, a spiced tea made with black tea, milk, and a blend of spices like ginger, cardamom, and cloves, is a popular choice with the food of North India to try in this monsoon. For coffee lovers, a cup of strong filter coffee or cappuccino can be a perfect complement to the rainy weather. Both beverages are comforting and warming, enhancing the pleasure of enjoying the best Indian monsoon foods.

Masala Chai Recipe: Boil water with crushed ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Add black tea leaves and sugar, boil, then add milk. Simmer for a few minutes, strain, and serve hot.

Coffee Recipe: For a simple cappuccino, brew a shot of espresso or strong coffee, steam and froth milk, pour over the coffee, and enjoy hot.

Conclusion

These dishes exemplify the best Indian monsoon food, each offering a unique taste of North Indian cuisine. Whether it's the sweet Ghewar or the savoury Pakoras, these recipes are a delightful way to experience the food of North India to try in this monsoon. Enjoy these comforting dishes and make the rainy season even more special!