As the days get shorter and the air gets cooler, every Indian kitchen changes in some way. The light salads and cold drinks of summer quietly step aside to make room for steaming plates of snacks that make you feel better with every bite.
Samosas and Chai: The Classic Pair
Hot samosas with masala chai are one of the best ways to get a hang of what a North Indian winter is like. When you bite into the golden crust, it crackles and shows the spiced potato filling mixed with peas, coriander, and sometimes even paneer (mostly in north India). The warmth of ginger tea makes the spice taste just right. The smell of samosas and brewing tea fills every street corner and office canteen, turning them into mini winter cafés.This combo is still the best when it’s cold, whether you like Delhi’s crispy Punjabi-style samosa or Kolkata’s smaller, flakier version.
Momos and Soups: A Hill Station Comfort
As the chill deepens, steaming momos find their way into evening plans. Once a Tibetan and Nepali staple, these dumplings have become a national favourite. Stuffed with vegetables, chicken or paneer and served with fiery red chutney, momos are now sold everywhere from roadside stalls to mall kiosks. Pair them with a bowl of hot soup—sweet corn, manchow, or thukpa—and you have a meal that warms you from the inside out.
Roasted Peanuts and Bhutta: The Street Corner Ritual
Winter evenings in India have a soundtrack—the crackle of coal fires roasting corn on the cob. Vendors wrap the smoky bhutta in newspaper, sprinkle salt and lemon, and hand it to you just warm enough to hold. Alongside, roasted peanuts or moongphali are another favourite, often sold in paper cones. Families chatting on park benches, college friends walking home, or office-goers at roadside stalls—all share this common ritual. It’s simple, earthy and somehow never gets old.
Pakoras: The Monsoon Snack That Stayed
While pakoras are usually associated with rain, winter gives them a new charm. Onion, potato, or spinach fritters fried in gram flour are irresistible when eaten hot with green chutney. Add a drizzle of tamarind sauce or some curd on top, and the experience doubles. Some homes even innovate with paneer or cauliflower pakoras. Served with cardamom tea, it’s the perfect late-afternoon indulgence when the wind outside is biting.
Sweet Delights: Gajak, Rewri, and Jalebi
Sweets are a must-have in every Indian winter. These traditional sweets have kept people warm for generations. Gajak is a crunchy sesame treat, and rewri is a sugar-coated treat that melts in your mouth. As soon as December comes, you’ll see them piled high in sweet shops in North India. Down south, hot jalebis dipped in syrup and served with milk or rabri take centre stage. The warmth of jaggery and sesame doesn’t just taste good—it also provides energy to fight the cold.
Regional Favourites Worth Trying
Each region adds its own signature to winter snacking. In Gujarat, undhiyu—a mixed vegetable dish cooked in earthen pots—is a seasonal highlight. Bengal has nolen gur sandesh, made from date palm jaggery that appears only in winter. In Kashmir, harissa, a slow-cooked meat porridge, becomes the breakfast of choice. Maharashtra’s misal pav adds spice to grey mornings, while Rajasthan’s mirchi vada challenges your tolerance for heat even in the coldest weather.
How to Get These on Zomato
Not everyone has the time to make samosas at home or hunt down a peanut vendor on a cold night. In such a situation, food delivery apps like Zomato bring winter comfort straight to your doorstep. You can explore local favourites such as samosas, soup and momos combo, or winter sweets—and discover hidden gems from nearby kitchens. Many sweet shops now list gajak and rewri online and regional restaurants offer authentic winter specials.
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