Time to 'chaat'

Settled here since 1993, Sangita and Subhash Kedia, who belong to Kolkata, liked everything about Bengaluru but missed some of the food back home until they came up with a plan. “We were in the incense sticks business in the beginning. We would be free after 6 pm and looked forward to doing something then. Since there were no good North Indian ‘chaats’ available here, we decided to come up with our own eatery ‘Kedia’s Fun Food’ in 1999,” says Sangita, who mainly runs the place.

“We initially started with ‘plain samosa’, ‘khasta kachori’ and ‘veg cutlet’ along with ‘chaats’ and gradually added other items as the business picked up,” she adds. Located in Jayanagar, this small joint also serves ‘parathas’, assorted snacks, different types of ‘pulao’, juices and ice ‘golas’.

The variety is rather large and everyone can find something to suit their taste buds at reasonable prices.

Few of the popular snack items include the crisp ‘samosa’, piping hot ‘veg cutlet’ and ‘cheese fondue’ with garlic bread.

The ‘vada pav’ is available in interesting variations like ‘mixed vegetable’, ‘American corn spinach’ and the spicy ‘schezwan’. Some of the sought-after parathas include the ‘cheese’, ‘paneer’, ‘aloo methi’ and ‘sattu’, served with tasty ‘chhole’, curd, pickle and salad.

“Our ‘parathas’ are made with wheat flour and ghee. Both the stuffing and the ‘paratha’ are freshly made on order. The ‘veg roll’, with a sweet and sour filling, also comes with a healthy wheat flour roti,” highlights Sangita.

The ‘chaat’ section is quite extensive with delicacies like ‘aloo tikki chaat’, ‘dahi puri’, ‘dhokla chaat’ and more tangy items. “One of our specialities is the ‘rasgulla chaat’ - with rasgulla, curd, masala and ‘sev’ – it’s my husband’s creation that’s liked by many. The ‘jhal muri’ comes in typical Bengali style ,” states Sangita.

Many can also be seen here enjoying a plate of ‘pav bhaji’ or ‘chhola bhatura’. And there is no dearth of refreshments to wash down your food with. One is spoilt for choice with the lime based ‘Spirulina’, ‘Arabian Grape’ juice and other juices, milkshakes, ‘kesaria thandai’, ‘masala’ cold drinks, varieties of ‘lassi’ and chilled ice ‘golas’. “Even our ‘rasgulla’ and ‘gulab jamun’ is quite famous,” she says.

So how does she run the whole show and manage to attract crowds? “Since the beginning, we have followed our own recipes and maintained the same taste,” points out Sangita. All the special ‘masalas’ for items like ‘chhole’, ‘samosa’, ‘cutlet’  ‘dhabeli’ and ‘masala tea’ are personally prepared by her while ‘chaat’ ingredients like ‘puris’, ‘paapdi’ and ‘sev’ are prepared by her staff under her supervision. “We have a team of 10 workers and I constantly supervise them. Everything is made fresh daily. The hygiene factor is also taken into account and the entire shop including the kitchen is cleaned thoroughly twice a month. Our workers also wear caps and hand gloves while working.”

Vinay, a regular here with his mom, says that his favourites are the ‘aloo vada pav’, a few ‘chaat’ items and ‘masala tea’. “It’s a neat and hygienic place and the owner is quite friendly.

We have never faced any health issues after eating here,” he says. While Jyothi, a foodie who started visiting recently, vouches by the ‘rasgulla chaat’. “It’s absolutely a must-try!” she gushes.

Kedia’s Fun Food is open from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm and 4 pm to 9.30 pm. It is located at 146/B, 6th C main, 4th block, Jayanagar.

  For details, call 9845290246.