by Srivalli Adarapu (’26) and Mahi Raithatha (’26) | October 6, 2023

Can you name a food that brings you happiness just by thinking of it? For us, that food is pani puri—an explosion of different flavors and textures, which simply exemplifies satisfaction. “Pani puri” translates to “water puffs,” but there is much more to this Indian dish than what its name suggests. Consisting of crispy, bite-sized, round puffs filled with sprouts and spicy mint water, pani puri has become emblematic of Indian street food. 

Pani puri originates from the ancient kingdom of Magadha. Legend has it that this delectable snack traces back to the story of Mahabharata, a popular Hindu epic. According to mythology, it was first created by Draupadi during her exile. Kunti, Draupadi’s mother-in-law, challenged her to cook a dish that could feed the five Pandava brothers and herself, using only a small quantity of wheat dough and leftovers of a potato dish. Draupadi’s ingenuity and resourcefulness led to her creation of pani puri. Her mother-in-law was amazed and blessed the dish with immortality. Indeed, this blessing seems to ring true today. 

Pani puri is a versatile snack that can be prepared in a wide variety of ways, allowing for personal customization. It incorporates a delightful burst of complementary flavors of spicy, tangy, sweet, and sour. The outer shell, known as puri, are crispy fried dough balls stuffed with seasoned mashed potato or boiled chickpeas. The stuffings are richly flavored with a variety of spices and are accompanied with pani, a refreshing, piquant mint-flavored water. Pani puri can be topped with chopped onions and small fried flour balls known as boondhi. 

This snack is continuing to rise in popularity, with pani puri stands found almost everywhere on the bustling streets of India. As it spread, cooks of different cultures created new variations of the original pani puri. While it may have different names in different areas, such as “gol gappa,” “phuchka,” “pani ke patake,” and “gupchup,” the dish remains loved by all people from the many diverse regions of India. This widely known dish has become a staple in Indian cuisine, connecting people from all around the country. Its popularity has spread far outside of the nation, and pani puri can be found in many Indian restaurants across the globe. In fact, many Bay Area Indian eateries such as Radhe Chaat, Chaat Junction, and New Delhi Chaat serve this treat, if one wants to give it a try.

Besides being a flavorful dish, pani puri brings happiness and fond memories to many. For Srivalli Adarapu (’26), pani puri reminds her of enjoying this snack with her grandma at pani puri stands in India. For Mahi Raithatha (’26), this dish takes her back to the times she had spent with her mom when she was little, helping her make pani puri. She even remembers when she had it for the first time at five years old, feeling refreshed by its unique flavors.

Pani puri is an interesting conversation starter, and a food that connects an entire culture. Next time you’re craving a snack, make sure to give pani puri a try!