Alepak and sugarcane juice: The street food delicacies unique to Belgaum city

India being a land of diverse customs, traditions, religions and cultures also experiences vast diversity in its cuisines. Though every region in India stands out for its delicacies and unique food items, one common type of food binds all these regions together i.e. the famous street food of India. Indian street food displays the same varieties that are observed in its cuisines. Every other city in India boasts of its special street food. While some regions are famous for their types of chaats and spicy foods, some regions are known for their sweet foods. When one goes further south, idlis and dosas are also included in the street food. This is observed in the southern state of Karnataka. The street food of Karnataka is a beautiful blend of mainland spices, southern dishes and coastal ingredients. While cities such as Bangalore and Mysore display the staple metropolitan street food styles, smaller cities such as Belgaum showcase the not-so-well-known but delicious street foods that are loved by locals and tourists alike. Belgaum is famous in the region for its Alepak and sugarcane juice combination which is unique to this place.

 

 

The Suvarna Soudha(state legislative assembly) at Belgaum

(Source-  Sahana Ramesh, 18 February 2021) 

 

 

The state of Karnataka is known for its natural wealth and pleasant climate. Every region of Karnataka is blessed with its share of nature’s grace with western Karnataka experiencing the coastal line and north Karnataka being amid the Western Ghats. Even the cuisine is diverse in every district of Karnataka. This has been shaped through its history when several dynasties prospered in this region. The region of north Karnataka was briefly ruled by the Nizams and the Marathas and their influence on food is seen even today. Coastal Karnataka uses lots of seafood, coconut and spices in food preparation. Rice, lentils and spices are used in daily food. Street food of Karnataka too uses lots of regional ingredients. One can witness dosas stalls that sell Mysore masala dosas, Neer dosas, Uttapas and Mangalore buns in every nook and corner here. Bhajia,  Vadas, and filter coffee are preferred evening snacks sold in stalls on the roadside. Gobi Manchurian is also a hot favourite amongst lovers of street food in Karnataka, especially in north Karnataka. Belgaum, a city located in north Karnataka also offers a variety of mouthwatering street food dishes.

 

Belgaum city cuisine 

Situated at an elevation of 2500 feet above sea level, amidst the lush green western Ghat region, the winter season here is so pleasant that Belgaum is often termed the Kashmir of Karnataka. Belgaum is situated at a strategic location, sharing borders with Goa and Maharashtra. Hence the socio-cultural influence of all three states is blended in this quaint town which is fast growing into the second capital of the state. This warm and pleasant nature of Belgaum is reflected in its cuisine as well which also displays the blending of the cuisines of all three states. South Indian delicacies are consumed during the breakfast and lunches while Maharashtrian sweet dishes find their way into the festival food, Goan coastal food is enjoyed with the same interest. In all this, the street food of Belgaum City too stands out. 

 

 

Dish of Alepak and the spicy ladoo on top of it 

(Source- All About Belgaum, April 15 2022) 

Street food of Belgaum City

Street food of Belgaum city is as simple as the city’s nature and as delightful as its climate. Belgaum offers all the varieties of street food. Early in the morning the city is awakened with the bustling of the idlis and dosas stalls and the juice sellers who sell special healthy juices to walkers. By afternoon the street food sellers set up their stalls which sell pakodas, pav bhajis and even fish fry. By evening, young and old people alike throng the stalls that sell hot Vada and Manchurians, all at low rates and in large quantities. After having a cold drink or ice cream and kulfis that are sold at the stall the day ends here. But that’s not all that the street food in Belgaum city offers. There is a special combination of two food items that is relished by all and is beneficial for health despite being a street food. That combination is the Belgaum special Alepak and sugarcane juice. 

 

 

Alepak is also enjoyed with a cup of hot tea 

(Source- Clicked by me) 

Alepak and sugarcane juice 

The combination of Alepak and sugarcane juice is sold in many places in Belgaum and surrounding regions. There are small stalls or sugarcane juice centres that sell these delicacies. Fresh sugarcane juice is sold in many parts of India but only in Belgaum is the juice served with Alepak. Alepak is a spicy and slightly tangy snack that is often served on paper plates or cones. It is sold in volumes rather than in net weight. The most famous seller of Alepak sugarcane juice in Belgaum is the Sheetal Rasvanti Griha situated on Congress Road which has operated since at least 1984. This special dish is enjoyed sitting in these open juice centres, sitting on small colourful seats or standing along with a group of friends, sipping on fresh juice and snacking on Alepak. This favoured street food of belgaum city has healthy ingredients.

 

 

Such alepak and sugarcane stalls are a common feature in Belgaum 

 

Alepak means the juice of ginger. Though that’s not what the dish is, the use of ginger in it may have been the reason for its name. Alepak is of two types. One is made with a groundnut base and the other with parched rice. The speciality of the dish is the chutney ladoos that are served with it. Firstly, groundnuts are cleaned and kept aside in a big bowl. Salt, black salt, coriander, green chillies and grated coconut are added to it. A dash of lemon juice is added at the top and a spicy ladoo which is made from powdered phutane (fried gram), asafetida, chillies, ginger and pade lavan (type of black salt) is then crushed and mixed well with the groundnut mixture. Sometimes parched rice is added to it. Some people like adding puffed rice to it. 

 

 

Sheetal Rasvanti Gruha is one of the oldest alepak selling stalls in Belgaum 

(Source- Sheetal Rasvanti Gruha Gallery) 

 

A dish of Alepak and sugarcane juice is served together which enhances its taste and is refreshing and healthy at the same time. This tasty street food of Belgaum city doesn’t use onions or garlic nor is oil used. This makes it a healthy snack. The pade lavan in the snack is known for its digestive properties. It cures acidity and decreases bloating.  Groundnuts and coconut provide nutrition. Sugarcane juice, made from the juicy sugarcanes that grow in Belgaum, is known for being an energy booster and is a good source of vitamin C. 

 

 

Aerial night view of the Belgaum city 

(Source- Marvellous Belgaum)

 

Street food in India is both liked and disliked by people. While many people enjoy the flavours packed and delicious street food dishes few are concerned with its hygiene. Despite this, street food is widely popular as it is cheap and satisfies people’s taste buds. Often the street food of any region displays what the people there eat regularly. Sometimes it also becomes an important part of the city’s socio-cultural sphere. Alepak and sugarcane juice combination sold at Belgaum has today become a part of the city’s identity. Tourists especially visit the stalls to relish these food items unique to Belgaum city. Not only by the taste but people are also left impressed with the sustainability and quality of the dishes. While Alepak and sugarcane juice are healthy snacks it is served in an environment-friendly way. In many places in belgaum banana leaves are used to pack food. Over the last few years Belgaum has developed tremendously from a quiet town to a bustling smart city, but at its heart, it remains the same, metropolitan and welcoming all with open arms. People who come to this town for work seldom leave the place again and settle down here.

 

 

References 

https://www.slurrp.com/article/travelling-to-belgaum-soon-sample-these-top-8-local-delicacies-1709010425567

https://allaboutbelgaum.com/specials/bits-to-bite-in-belagavi/

https://allaboutbelgaum.com/news/alipaak-it-happens-only-in-belgaum/

https://srgruha.com/about.html

https://allaboutbelgaum.com/lifestyle/streets-street-foods/