Confessions of a Pani Puri addict

I am addicted to Pani Puri, ok??

I've known it for awhile. All the signs were there..

I was ashamed to eat at the same pani puri stand day after day, so I had my rounds.. one day that one near the sugar cane place.. the next day, the one near the bus stand, etc.

The pani puri wallas started to inquire about me if they hadn't seen me for 2 - 3 days.

That was bad enough. Then I started eating 10 rupees pani puri - most people only ate 5! I felt ashamed of being such a pig. So I ate 5 rupees then went round the corner and ate 5 more.


I literally never go more that a full day without my pani puri.

But it has gotten out of control. I skip dinner and nip out to eat pani puri. If anyone in the house has an errand nearby, I offer to do it, so I can stop and eat those spicy/herby watery balls of heaven. on the way home.

Last night however, I learned I could no longer hide my addiction. Husband came home at 10pm and asked if I had taken dinner. I said no, I didn't feel well. Casually he said, "But dear, you haven't eaten anything today, my friend and I stopped to eat chaat and the chatwalla asked why you didn't stop by today! Please eat some dinner.."


Husband KNEW about my secret?? I was so ashamed. I would rather eat 10 or 15rs pani puri than anything else. But part of me says husband should be GLAD. I don't ask him to take me to eat at the Taj Krishna, do I? Rarely do I ask to go to Pizza Hut. I am saving him money.. right??

Oh, I forgot to mention I have been putting "pani puri" seeds in my little cousins heads. I will casually mention to the children that it's been sooo long since we've had pani puri at home, didn't they think so? Then they will mention it to whoever takes them outside to bring fruits (Grandfather, uncles, etc) and they will BRING PANI PURI HOME!! FOR ME! AND I DON"T HAVE TO ASK.

I feel bad about that, really. My husband's grandfather brought home 70rs pani puri because the children asked for it. And why did they ask? I put the idea in their head! They'd much rather have ice creams.

I am seriously going to cut back, starting tomorrow (I should go and visit sri sai baba chat bandar today, since he seemed worried that I didn't come yesterday)

I will only eat pani puri two times per week, and 10rs ONLY each time. I will eat my dinner, too. Even if it IS rice and I haven't learned to love rice although I've been in India for 14 months.

I'm sorry for this post, really. But I felt if I POSTED it on a public forum, I would have to be accountable for relapsing..

I am sure you are not the only one here who is addicted to Pani Puri.

Ha ha ...that was a very interesting confession... rings a bell about my fetish for Jalebi’s ..may be someday even I should think of putting myself in that box ...errrr...I am already relapsing...

Funny post PaniPuri and I mean it in a nice way . Which do you like better? The sanitized one where you get all the ingredients in a plate and you have to make it yourself or the one that chatwalla makes for you. I prefer the latter, definitely more tasty, hygiene be damned. If you come to Bangalore and find yourself in Indiranagar, try Karthik's on CMH road. Wild horses will have to drag you away . Gangotri's is another option but not as good.

its called golgappas in delhi and yes I like to eat it too but in the privacy of my house.

I only eat pani puri from those "chat bandar" stands. It's not as good in those fast food places and you only get like 6 for 20 rupees, which is a rip off if you ask me. I only like the real thing.

Also, I wasn't fond of the pani puri in Delhi. South Indian pani puri is much better.


I have tried numberous times to make the puris at home but they just won't puff up. I'm already worried because I'll be returning to the US in March next year, and I still haven't perfected it. What will I DO? I can make pretty decent water and the channa thing is simple.

I also admit I am addicted to dill pickles but have not eaten one in the 14 months I've been here. I am also extremely fond of certain types of sardines and I do often have dreams about these two foods and various others that I miss and cannot find in India (I did see sardines in tins at a supermarket but for 160 rupees and I will NOT pay that much! In America my sardines of choice at 50cents)


I have definite food issues, I think.

I also prefer to eat it at home, but I can't be bringing home pani puri everyday or every other day. We also have a houseful.. currently there are eleven people in our household and various relatives come and go.. and when we bring anything home we have to bring enough for everyone!

I was disappointed with the pani puri in Delhi. So much so I only ate it three times in the two weeks I was there. They also have "Delhi style" Pani puri here too, but I avoid it.

Here puris are available in shops, maybe you might find them in a well stocked Indian grocery shop there. Take some while going but will have to be extremely well packed or you will end up with masala puri

I agree

Gotta visit Karthik's today if not now <determined look on the face>.

You must love Pani Puri's a lot. But with all due respect, I think that I can eat more pani Puri's than You. It is an open challenge. The loser pays the tab. If ever you are in Bangalore, Let's settle this contest.

Best regards,

Batistuta ( Resident IM Pani Puri Champ)

I wonder if this is a fictious post?

Why would you think so? Clearly you don't have a sense of humor. Everything I have stated is true. Sadly enough.

Ah but did you love pani puri enough to use it for your nickname on here? Nope! HA! And I will gladly accept your challenge if I'm ever in Bangalore. My "record" is 32 pani puris at one time. I could probably due better.

The main problem is that I just can't stay away from it. Daily I want to eat it. It's so addicting.

Superb post.. I wish I could confess half as humorously as you..
Anyway my pani puri fetish ends with 6-7, if its chilled

(Self proclaimed Resident IM NON Pani Puri Champ)

I guess I had 17 once..

LOL....

I love pani puri's and I have that every single day when I am in India. Unless I am occupied with something else. But, I would love to take your challenge...I usually ate about 18 rupees worth of pani puri. So, about 54 (18 * 3)..

My regular routine was this single pani puri guy and once I left India, the guy would inquire with people I knew there. He wondered why I didn't stop by. After having the pani puri, I would go to a store right behind it and have some Thumbs Up! Just talking about it is making my mouth watery! I only have about 6 months before I can have some pani puri's in India. I do eat pani puri's here in the states but nothing beats India's taste....