Food courts tantalise taste buds at Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Apart from providing gastronomical delights, the food stalls at the IFR Village gave visitors a chance to know about the food habits and cuisines of other States.

There were about 40 stalls featuring the popular dishes from all over India making it look a national traditional food festival. There was a huge demand for foods from Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra and Bihar, among others.  People loving non-vegetarians could savour Dum Biryani and Mutton Haleem.

Many food lovers flocked to the Maharashtraian food stall as the preparation of Matka Roti is quite different. The roti is made keeping a pot on the stove and served with chicken or mutton.

“It is made from a special type of wheat.  We have to mix the dough properly with water for about two hours which requires a lot of  energy. We should do so to ensure that the roti tastes good.

Cold water is poured on the dough while it is being made to wash out the starch which brings elasticity to the dough," the lady in-charge of the Maharashtrian food stall said. “I am trying to share the preparation of the Matka roti with as many visitors as I can, despite facing language problem. I also could know preparation of other food items of other States,” she added.  

G.S. Raju, who was selling Madugula Halwa, also said he could know about the preparation of Moong dal Halwa from the Rajasthani stall people.

“The IFR Village has really brought all popular foods of India together. What I liked more is all people are trying to explain about their food to visitors,” Dr Manika Panj, a visitor from Delhi said.

Other varieties like of Aalu Paneer, Tikki Chat, Sattu Kachori, Shahi Hing Kachori,  Paneer Sandwitch and Moong Dal Pakodi of Bihar and Mewadi Thali, Dal Bati Churma, Rajasthani dishes are tantalizing the taste buds of food lovers.

People for the first time can also sip the Araku filter coffee prepared by Girijan Cooperative Corporation. Some stalls owner, however dissented lack of proper facilities at the stall and the high rent of the stalls. The stall rent is varying between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, according to the vendors.