Monsoon in Bengaluru is incomplete without street food: Snehith Gowda

As the rains pour down, few things match the comfort of a hot mirchi bajji with filter coffee in Bengaluru — a simple pairing that takes many back to childhood monsoons. Actor Snehith Gowda, who grew up in the bylanes of Malleswaram, joins Bangalore Times to relive these flavours as we explore the city’s street food favourites.

‘Pani puri and masala puri are my fondest memories of childhood’

Snehith recalls his fondest childhood and college memories of indulging in chaat during the monsoons. “My parents often took me out for pani puri, masala puri, and other chaats, and we would wait in long queues for our turn. The satisfaction of that first bite was unmatched — it’s one of my core childhood memories of monsoons. Later, in junior college, my friends and I often headed to Veena Stores for a quick bite,” he shares.

‘Social media strongly influences what we eat today’

With trends like matcha and kunafa chocolates going viral on social media, the internet seems to have become an integral part of today’s dining culture. Sharing his take on these constantly evolving trends, Snehith says, “Social media is a powerful tool for promoting different foods, and some innovations are worth trying. But it’s important to be mindful of what you eat and understand what’s truly good for the body.”

‘Healthy alternatives are now a part of street food culture’

These days, actor Snehith Gowda looks for nutrition in whatever he eats, often opting for healthier options. “I’ve never been a big foodie, but there are days when I like to indulge. I believe in eating food that is both healthy and nourishing. Nowadays, even street food has healthier, guilt-free choices like avocado toast and ragi brownies,” he says.

'There's much more to Bengaluru than idlis and dosas'

Snehith believes Bengaluru is a foodie’s paradise, home to some of the most authentic South Indian delicacies. “But it’s not just idlis and dosas, Bengaluru offers cuisines from around the world, but it has always stayed true to its local food. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, you must try the idlis at Veena Stores and the dosas at CTR and Vidyarthi Bhavan — they’re not to be missed.”