Well, part Bengali. Yogita Dakshina is Bengali in most other regards. She’s a writer, a foodie and loves pani puri. Read on to know her favourite pani puri. The one thing that sets her apart is that she doesn’t like fish. Blasphemous, we know. But, Bengalis, please cut her some slack.

Are you a foodie?

Yes a very big foodie. My food quantities are not extraordinary but I’m open to trying anything. I have had snake to squid to everything.

What’s your favourite cuisine?

Umm, it’s bizarre but Indian Chinese is a staple for me. Be it road side or a posh restaurant.

What’s the last place that you went to in Bangalore that you really enjoyed? What did you eat there that stood out?

I just got back from this place called Kairuchi down the road from me in JP Nagar. They have pizzas, to chaats, to Chinese.  What I really liked recently was the Pesto Fried Chicken Burger at Truffles. I could have eaten another one immediately. Yesterday I had an amazing Pani Puri. At this little shop on Church Street near Goobe’s. I have had every pani puri in the area.

What’s your favourite dish of all time and where did you eat it?

Favourite of all time is Chicken Biryani. The biryani I really is in Thalapakatti that is based out of Dindigul somewhere in Tamil Nadu. This guy started this little place in the 90s, where his speciality is to use small rice instead of the long rice usually used. He’s now grown to a brand and has even gone international. He has all varieties of biryanis, like Kheema Biryani, regular Chicken, Mutton and Prawn Biryani. There is also one with tiny fried Kheema balls.  

What is your least favourite dish?

I don’t like fish at all. I’ve tried varieties in Kerala and UK and most places. I never eat fish, unless I'm prompted at the restaurant and someone tells me I have to try something.

If you have to recommend a place to our readers what will it be?

Koshy’s, can I say that? Haha. That’s my go to place. Meghana’s Biryani in Bangalore is amazing with good quantities.

Yogita is the author of the piece: Food And Poetry Pairing At Urban Solace published in the 01 December 2017 issue of FirstFoodie. Archive: View archive here