Varanasi’s culinary landscape is legendary! Bringing tradition and flavours to the plate, the city has some of the best eateries in India. Serving the finest and brightest early-morning kulhads of frothy lassi and crisp kachoris, the city is a gem for foodies. However, a few days ago, more than 35 shops were demolished as part of a road widening project along the Lanka trisection. This included the legendary Pahalwan Lassi and Chachi Ki Kachori. Before you panic, we have good news! These eateries have found new addresses in the city and here’s all about it.
Demolition That Broke Hearts Of Foodies
The overnight demolition from Vijaya Crossing to Lahartara broke the hearts of many in Varanasi. For 75 years, Pahalwan Lassi has been the go-to breakfast spot for many in the city and its sudden demolition left many foodies heartbroken. Similarly, Chachi Ki Kachori, which has been treating locals and tourists for more than a century now, was also swept away. It marked the end of an era that was tainted with frothy and crispy memories of flavours.
Also Read: Love Mango Lassi? Try Replacing It With These 8 Summer Fruits
The Return Of Pahalwan Lassi
Much to every foodie’s delight, Pahalwan Lassi, celebrated for its delightful and hand-churned lassi, has come up again at Bara Bazar, Madigan. It still holds the same magic that many feel tastes “like drinking Banaras itself.”
Founded by Panna Sardar, this eatery was a Varanasi icon of energy and mad flavours. Its hand-churned kulhad lassi is thick, creamy, and topped with malai, rabri, saffron, almonds, and jaggery. The best part? Pahalwan Lassi’s menu is as colourful as it gets, giving close competition to rainbows in the sky. With 8 distinct flavours ranging from strawberry, chocolate, masala, mango, and salted, the shop has a delicious history of serving more than 10,000 cups daily.
Chachi Ki Kachori’s Delicious Comeback
The tale of spicy urad dal-stuffed kachoris dates back to 1917 when Chachi Ki Kachori first opened up. Crisp kachoris were served with special pumpkin sabzi with a steaming yet sweet side of jalebi. Locals share that students from the Banaras Hindu University used to wait for hours in line like Chachi and her kachori were part of their course. Even before the demolition, the shop used to close by 9-10 in the morning, completely sold out!
Now, Chachi Ki Kachori has reopened at Bara Bazar, Maidagin, just a few hundred metres from Lanka.
The story of Pahalwan Lassi and Chachi ki kachori’s comeback is no ordinary tale, it is definitive of age-old culinary traditions reinventing itself. Find your age-old favourites, now serving you at Bara Bazar.
Where: Bara Bazar, Maidagin, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
When: 6:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Cost: ₹30-₹80 per item
Cover Image Courtesy: X/Aggressive_monk & Instagram/StreetFoodMania
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First Published: June 24, 2025 6:27 PM