Intro: The Taste of Laughter and Street Corners
If I close my eyes and think of happiness, I hear the sound of puris cracking, water splashing, and friends laughing.
Pani Puri (or golgappa, puchka, gupchup depending where you are) is more than food.
It’s competition, craving, and chaos — standing around a tiny cart, one hand holding the plate, the other hand ready for the next.
I still remember the first time I challenged my cousin — “Let’s see who eats 10 pani puris faster!” Of course, we both lost because we were too busy laughing at the spice hitting us!
Pani Puri is not just a snack.
It’s friendship in a crispy shell, bursting with flavor and memory.
Ingredients:
For Puris:
Readymade puris or homemade semolina puris
For Spicy Pani:
1 cup mint leaves
½ cup coriander leaves
1 green chili
1-inch ginger
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
½ tsp black salt
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 cups cold water
Salt to taste
For Filling:
2 boiled potatoes (mashed)
½ cup boiled chickpeas or white peas
Chopped onion (optional)
Tamarind chutney (optional for sweet-spicy flavor)
Steps to Make Pani Puri:
1. Prepare the Spicy Pani
Blend mint, coriander, green chili, ginger, cumin powder, lemon juice, and salt with little water.
Strain and add to cold water. Adjust spice and tanginess.
2. Prepare the Filling
Mix mashed potatoes, chickpeas, salt, and a pinch of cumin powder.
3. Assemble
Crack a puri gently at the top.
Fill with potato-chickpea mixture.
Dip in spicy pani (and sweet chutney if using).
Serve immediately and enjoy the burst!
Serving Suggestions:
Serve chilled pani puri as evening snack
Offer sweet tamarind chutney on the side for those who prefer “meetha pani”
Add boondi (tiny fried balls) into the pani for extra crunch
Why I Love It
Because no matter where you are, one bite of pani puri feels like you’re 12 again, standing at a street corner, laughing with friends over who can handle the most spice.
The Pinch of Masala 