It’s a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius on a lovely evening in Indore, and my sister and I have decided to go on a sibling date to Meghdoot Garden. Our plan? To dive into a world of street food, exploring dishes and cuisines we’ve never tried before. It’s fun as we discuss what to wear, whether we should twin or not, and whether to take the car or bike. Eventually, we book an Ola Auto and are pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face driving us to the gardens.
As we arrive at Meghdoot Garden, we’re immediately drawn to the vibrant energy of the place. Stalls from all across India offer a diverse range of street food, and the air is filled with mouthwatering aromas. The first item on our agenda? Taking a leisurely walk from one end of the food lane to the other, deciding what we want to relish first. Will it be a Chinese and Momo night? Or should we indulge in the traditional Chole Kulche?
Lithi Chokha – A Bite of Heaven At Meghdoot Garden
We finally settled on something new for Dee: Lithi Chokha. I hadn’t had one since a decade ago when I was an intern at an ad agency, and the memory of it still lingers. We order a plate, priced at ₹90, and eagerly wait as the vendor serves it fresh. The aroma is so tempting that we can hardly wait to take our first bite. As we break the litthi open to release the hot steam, the flavour hits us like a wave of nostalgia and pure delight.
The first bite is nothing short of heavenly. The litthi melts in our mouths, and we can’t help but exchange smiles as we devour the entire dish in minutes. I tell Dee, “This might just be the tastiest meal I’ve ever had. Even Sarafa and 56 don’t come close to this lip-smacking delicacy!” Dee laughs, agreeing with a satisfied nod as we move on to our next culinary adventure.
Chur Chur Naan Thali – A Punjabi Feast
Next up, we stumble upon a Punjabi stall offering something called a Chur Chur Naan Thali. Intrigued by the name and eager to try something unfamiliar, we ordered the thali for ₹140. The thali turns out to be an absolute feast, with dal makhani, chole, raita, some onion, and mint salad, along with two stuffed naans.
As we dig in, we realize that nothing could have prepared us for how filling and flavorful this meal would be. The combination of dishes is so rich and hearty that we begin to feel the weight of all the street food we’ve consumed so far. But the deliciousness keeps us going, and we polish off the entire thali, albeit with a bit more effort than the litthi chokha.
Kulhad Pizza – A Cheesy Delight
Before we even arrived at Meghdoot Garden, I had my eyes set on trying a Kulhad Pizza. After searching for the stall for about 10 minutes, we finally spotted it and ordered one for ₹99. The pizza comes in a small clay pot, or kulhad, and is oozing with cheese. It’s tasty but quite small, which turns out to be a blessing in disguise since we’re already feeling quite full.
We share a single pizza, savouring each bite of the cheesy goodness. The unique presentation in the kulhad adds to the experience, and we agree that it’s a must-try, even if just for the novelty of it.
Appe – A South Indian/Sri Lankan Delight
Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, Dee suggested trying something called Appe. I’ve never heard of it before, but Dee insists, saying, “Chalo, mein aaj khilaatu hu” (Come, let me take you to a stall that serves it). We find a small stall run by a Maharashtrian family, who tell us that it’s a slow night and they are about to close early. But they’re kind enough to make us a fresh plate of appe.
The vendor even lets me shoot a video of her preparing the dish, and the process is fascinating. The Appe is priced at ₹90, and it’s a delightful surprise. Soft, spongy, and slightly crispy on the outside, it’s a perfect end to our street food feast.
Coconut Crush – A Sweet Ending at Meghdoot Garden
Even though we’re stuffed, Dee remembers a vendor known for adding Afeem to his tea and jokes about wanting to try it. I’m not much of a tea person, but the idea of a Coconut Crush for dessert catches my attention. It’s essentially coconut meat and water blended into a thick, white shake with a hint of sweetness.
We order one, and it’s the perfect way to cleanse our palate after such a hearty meal. The Coconut Crush is refreshing and a great mood-lifter, making it the ideal way to wrap up our night.
Why I’d Prefer Going To Meghdoot Garden Over Chappan or Sarafa.
Meghdoot Garden’s street food lane is a hidden gem in Indore. Even on a Monday, with the Kaavat Yatra and the weekday lull, we found ourselves enjoying each dish with minimal wait times. If you’re planning to visit Chappan or Sarafa, I highly recommend giving Meghdoot Garden a try instead. You might just find your new favourite street food spot.
And if you’re curious about our rankings:
- Lithi Chokha
- Chur Chur Naan Thali
- Kulhad Pizza
- Appe
So, the next time you’re in Indore and craving some amazing street food, you know where to go. Until our next food adventure, see you soon!
Toodles!
