Almost opposite St. Thomas Church (Godowlia Chowk) is Kashi Chat Bhandar one of the most famous shops for Chat in Varanasi. It is approx. The 50-year-old shop opens at 3 pm and closes around 10 pm (365 days a year).
We stop to have Aaloo Tikki. The waiting time was approx. 15 minutes, but when Aaloo Tikki was served, it was very very good. Cost Rs. 22/- per plate. And one day we had Chura Matar packed for home, but my personal favorite is Chaat of course.
During the Varanasi tour, I saw numerous locations shops selling yellow-colored sweet stuff. I inquired my friend and was told it is ‘Malaiyo‘ – a delicious seasonal dessert.
Is it as heavy as it looks – said I.
No No. It is very light and delicious – said, dear friend.
One day during the conversation Bhabhi enhanced my knowledge about a shop selling one of the best Malaiyo in the city and i.e., near Chowk.
The next day I was at Dwarkapuri Milk Bahar at Chowk to taste Malaiyo – a seasonal dessert.
Upon query, the shopkeeper said – it is available only after Diwali (festival of lights) till January end.
I requested one Kulhad. Cost – Rs. 15/- only.
My friend was correct. The moment I held Kulhad in my hands it was light, and the moment I taste it – delicious.
Timings: 7 am – 11 pm.
Afternoon hours I was at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ghat talking with a Jal Police Sub-Inspector as nobody was present at the tourist assistance booth. The query was about the oldest and most famous sweet shop in Varanasi.
Ksheer Sagar at Sonapura was his recommendation.
Thank you, said I, and we started walking towards Assi Ghat via various ghats till we reached Harishchandra Ghat. And stairs towards Sonapura finally reaching Ksheer Sagar. The shop is since 1968 and is one of the oldest and most famous among locals. Sweets were displayed nicely on the counter tough to select which one to taste, then I had talks with the owner. He suggested a few sweets. I selected Gur ka Rasgulla because I never had it till-date. It was really good. Not too sweet nor very less. Perfect the taste is all I can say in words. Cost – Rs. 15/- per rasgulla. One should visit if touring Varanasi.
Morning hours I was passing via Bansphatak, Opposite Karur Vysya Bank ATM I had to stop to know what a man was selling on a cycle and why there was so much crowd.
It is a small Kachori with Chana sabzi on top served in Kulhad. Rs. 10/- per kulhad. I ordered two Kulhad. The taste of Kachori is fantastic and difficult to describe in words. The seller enhanced knowledge – it is also known as Bhugri Chana Kachori.
Timings: 7 am – 11 am.
Another day I was near Chitra Cinema, in front of SBI ATM another small Kachori wala. I stop to have Kachori. This time no Chana. Small Kachori, Aloo (potato) Sabzi with Dhaniya (Coriander) Pudina Chatni on top served on a plate. Awesome with Chatni. The cost per plate – Rs. 10/- only.
Timings: 7 am – 11 am.
Breakfast was good indeed.
Thank you, Varanasi.
We had our breakfast at the Birju Idli Wala. Two plates of Idli Sambar cost was Rs. 20 only. One idli cost is Rs. 5/- only. What I liked the most was Sambar. The spices added made it delicious. Other than idli one night, I had Dahi Bada packed for home.
The shop opens from 7 am till 10 night hours. It is a 20-25-year-old shop.