Jhal Muri: The Spicy and Crunchy Street Snack
Jhal muri is the most popular snack in Bengal. Jhal means spicy and muri means puffed rice. Growing up in Kolkata, evenings were like waiting for the “jhal muri wala” aka person selling jhal muri, to come to our building compound, so we would flock to him to buy our favourite snack.
Method of preparation
Take a bowl of puffed rice, add boiled potato pieces, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, slivers of coconut, roasted peanuts, boiled grams, finely chopped cucumber, salt, muri masala (a mix of spices, specially made for jhal muri), lemon juice, chanachur (mixture of savouries), green chillies (as per taste), and mix them all with a dash of mustard oil. Top with coriander leaves and sev, and voila! Jhal Muri is ready. You just need to mix all the ingredients, that’s it. Takes less time than the “two-minute noodles”! The flavours are amazing, you need to try it to experience this gastronomical snack!
Health benefits
Puffed rice / Jhal muri is ideal for snacking and has the following health benefits:
- Stimulates digestion
- Low in calories
- Effectively controls constipation
- Boosts immune system
- Maintains blood pressure levels
- Good for bone health
- Maintains body weight
Jhal muri is also a favourite among the Bihari, Odia, Bhojpuri, Assamese, and Tripuri citizens of India. It has also found a foothold abroad in London (where Angus Denoon,a British chef, was selling this snack on the streets of London) and New York City among others.
