Banaras, known for its rich culture and iconic street food, has gifted India one truly unique snack, the famous Tomato Chaat. Served piping hot in a traditional kulhad (earthen cup), this chaat is not just food, but an experience. Its bold flavours, smoky aroma and tangy-spicy taste have made it a favourite among locals and tourists alike. The good news is, you don’t need to travel to Varanasi to enjoy it anymore. With simple ingredients and an easy method, you can recreate this legendary snack at home.
Banarasi Tomato Chaat stands out because of its unusual preparation. Unlike regular chaat, tomatoes are hollowed out and stuffed with a spiced potato mixture, then slow-cooked on a tawa to enhance their natural sweetness and tanginess. The final touch of chutney, onions and crunchy toppings gives it a perfect balance of taste and texture.
To prepare this chaat, boiled potatoes are mashed and mixed with spices like cumin powder, red chilli powder, black salt, garam masala and black pepper. Fresh tomatoes are scooped out carefully and filled with this mixture. The stuffed tomatoes are then gently cooked on a hot tawa with oil, covered and allowed to soften while absorbing the flavours.
In a separate pan, a sweet and tangy sauce is prepared using tomato ketchup, sugar and salt, cooked until thick. Once ready, the tomatoes are plated and topped with the prepared sauce, finely chopped onions, green chillies, fresh coriander and puffed rice for crunch.
This chaat is best enjoyed hot, just like the Banaras streets serve it. Perfect for evening snacks or when craving something different, Banarasi Tomato Chaat brings authentic street food flavours straight to your kitchen simple, soulful and irresistibly delicious.
