Food is an indispensable part of the culture in any country. And our country, which is renowned the world over for its rich culture, offers a wide range of culinary options from different regions. Indian cuisine has been well-accepted and appreciated the world over, commanding many fans globally- be it for the simple Masala Dosa or the bursting flavour of chicken Tikka Masala!
Now, food festivals are a great way to experience the vibe of any place. Cooking demonstrations, sampling chef specials, and interacting with locals and fellow participants go a long way in understanding the local flavour better. With so many food festivals in the country happening regularly, let’s check some of the most popular and interesting ones.
1. National Street Food Festival
Held around December-January, the capital of the country hosts the National Street Food Festival, bringing the essence of Indian street food to the fore.
The festival offers lip-smacking street food ranging from chaats, momos, jalebis, chole kulcha and a variety of other street food, sure to send every tongue asking for more.
2. Mei Ram-ew
Organized by the North-East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society, this food festival is on a mission- to put Meghalaya’s local flavours on the global food map.
Be it their Jadoh Rice or the Pumaloi, this festival is a must-visit if you happen to be in Meghalaya in December.
3. Navi Mumbai Food Truck Fest
The biggest food truck festival in terms of scale, The Navi Mumbai food Truck Festival offers a different experience. It is lively, fun and a lot more, offering delectable meals on wheels, coming in from different parts of the country.
It is held in the month of March every year.
4. International Mango festival
Our country is the largest producer of mangoes. And the month of July brings with it an international festival completely dedicated to the ‘King of Fruits.
Hundreds of varieties of the fruit are showcased at the festival and mango lovers can sample varieties of this delectable fruit, try their hands at different dishes involving the mango and have a mangolicious gastronomical experience.
5. Asian Hawkers Market
Another food festival held in the capital in October, the All-Asian hawkers Market is a one-stop place to be to experience the best of Asian food coming in from Korea, China, Japan and even Vietnam.
The festival offers an exhaustive menu ranging from seafood platters to tempura to sushi, all under one roof.
Also Read: 7 Interesting & Unique Festivals From Around The World
6. The Grub Fest
The Grub fest offers culinary workshops, live music performances, food markets selling organic products and even movie screenings. Another attraction is The Grub Mile which has mini food trucks offering mouth-watering dishes that are whipped up right in front of you.
This festival is held pan-India in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune and New Delhi, around February-March.
7. Goa Food and Cultural Festival
The smallest state in the country is home to the most popular food festival, which started with the aim to promote local Goan cuisine and beverages.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) organizes the food festival every February, showcasing the state’s colourful and vibrant culture through 70+ stalls serving up a gastronomical Goan storm.
Sources:
https://www.thebetterindia.com/91993/best-food-festivals-india/
https://indiashine.net/food-festivals-of-india/
