Dahi Vada Aloo Dum – the favourite delicacy, from the common man to the riches.

You go to any place, they’ll definitely be serving a dish for all groups – that’s nothing but ‘Dahi vada aloo dum’ for you, popularly known as ‘Dahi Vada’ in Odisha. It’s a dish that knows no caste, religion, race or humanity. It treats everyone equal with enough love and taste. From our mother’s home-made kitchen vadas dipped in curds overnight till the vendors selling it with extra spicy flavours, Dahi vada stays our favourite till the very end.

Picture courtesy : thebrokenscooter

We all remember when we tell the Dahi vada wala bhaiya,”Bhaina, tike besi raga karibe.” (Brother, make it more spicy). We like the Dahi vada to be spicy and tasty enough to make our tongues keep on rolling in its last essence sprinkled in roasted cumin and chilli powder. What pleases me is the interesting range of coloured sauces added to make the dish more enticing and appetising and the best – you always get to choose the sauce, it’s like going to subway and making your own slice of bread. 

Picture courtesy : The golden spices

Everyone has encountered Dahi vada aloo dum in their childhood days.I still remember my Grandma making only Dahi vada in our village with an interesting twist of sweet and salty aftertaste.The curd dipped in flavoured spices with red chillies is even more soothing to look at.So just imagine the taste!😉

My school days were incomplete without Dahi vada aloo dum. Our lunch breaks were filled with our inner voices craving for the mouth-watering Dahi vada aloo dum which we could smell during the period before lunch. Much relatable, isn’t it? We used to lift over our hands from the boundaries of our school walls and receive it from the cycle walla bhaiya who would be carrying big pots or vessels of dahi vada and few smaller pots of aloo dum hanging on both sides of the bicycyle, gladly waiting for us. Back then, dahi vada had been a staple food for us. Even after finishing the entire plate we always ask for extra special watery curd of the Dahi Vada and trust me, we still do. Dahi vada has lots of memories with it, from childhood till college this dish used to make our eyes gleam with joy when a friend says,” Chale Dahi vada khaiba” (Let’s go and have Dahi vada).

Picture courtesy : mycitylinks

Now it has become a very popular street food in Odisha, mostly in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. One of the most popular road side delicacy along with pani-puri (gup-chup), starting with just Rs 10/- the salty taste of the curd with vadas dipped in them, onions sprinkled on top and garnished with coriander leaves, bhujia sev with pepper and chilli powder, the dish stands out to be our own State dish. The dish continues to be everyone’s cult favourite when it comes to fill up our stomach. Affordable, indulging and tasty, do you even need more insights? And trust me, when its home-made it’s even more tasty!

For another interesting article,
http://odiafoodia.blogspot.in/2018/01/dahi-vada-aloo-dum-its-not-just-food.html