Some like it hot and spicy, some like it sweet while some prefer to have it only when the pani (water) is cold! Whatever may be your choice. There’s no denying that a Pani Puri can satiate your tastebuds like no other Indian snack. 

This popular street food that needs little introduction, has caught the imagination of culinary experts from all around the world. Also called Golgappas (in north India) and Puchkas (in the eastern parts of the country), these little puffed wonders stuffed with a variety of fillings, topped with khatta or meetha chutney and savoury mint-flavoured pani, are a treat any time of the day, any day.

We in Dubai, though thousands of miles away from our homeland, are fortunate to relish some of the best varieties of this dish in town. Some of the options available here will even give original recipes from our home turf a run for their money.

For the uninitiated, a Pani Puri is simply a fried, crispy hollow puri (wheat or semolina) that is filled with cooked chickpeas, potatoes, boondi or sprouts and topped with spicy jal-jeera-like water and chutney. A word of advice though, to devour and relish a Pani Puri in its true spirit, one should be prepared to roll up their sleeve and get their hands dirty while keeping the mouth open as wide as that of a yawning lion.

You may like this debate!

While there has been a raging debate among Pani Puri aficionados on which neighbourhood in Dubai serves the best ones – Bur Dubai and Karama seem to be the most desired by residents. From traditional to fusion preparations, we list a few must-try places in Dubai that serve some of the best varieties. 

Bur Dubai or Karama: Dubai, which neighbourhood serves the best Pani Puri? Join us as we head to sample Pani Puri in Dubai which may perhaps offer stiff competition to recipes from India.