PM Narendra Modi eats Bengal’s special street food: What happened when the vendor refused to take money

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been vocal and supportive of local Indian food. From Moringa Paratha to Khichdi, he loves it all. And whenever he travels within India, he often connects with local food sellers, which reflects his deep connection with the Indian culinary scenario. In the most recent instance, he paused between rallies in West Bengal to try Jhalmuri, a popular local street food. Scroll down to read how his encounter with the jhalmuri seller unfolded.On Sunday evening, PM Modi shared a post on his official X platform, which featured his encounter with a Jhalmuri seller in West Bengal. The post read, "In between four rallies across West Bengal on a packed Sunday, had some delicious Jhalmuri in Jhargram." In the clip, he is seen asking the shopkeeper to make the snack. He says, "Bhai hamein apna jhalmuri khilao." He further adds, "Kitne ka hota hai apka acha wala jhalmuri." To which the seller replies, "10 ka 20 ka, bus yehi." PM Modi smiles and replies, "Jo bhi hai bana do."When he offered to pay, the vendor initially declined before accepting the money after insistence. And on a candid note, when the vendor asked whether to add onion or not, PM replied, "Haan khate hain, bus dimag nahi khate."Jhalmuri is a popular snack from India (popular in Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand0 and is prepared by simply tossing the selected ingredients together. A simple translation of the name reveals what it’s all about; jahl means spicy, and muri stands for puffed rice, which is also the main ingredient of the dish, Taste Atlas states. The key ingredient of this street snack is muri or puffed rice, which is mixed in a deep bowl along with roasted peanuts, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, sliced onions, and various spices such as chaat masala and cumin powder. It offers a unique kick to the palate, which comes from raw mustard oil, which is added to mix the spices well with puffed rice. This savory snack comes packaged in a thonga—a paper cone, and it can usually be purchased at various street food stalls.According to legends, the birth Jhalmuri took plaace in Colonial Kolkata. It is believed to have emerged during the late 19th to early 20th century in Kolkata, then a major colonial hub under the British. With time, the street fod culture diversified and vendors started experimenting with muri by adding mustard oil, spices, onions, chilies, and other affordable ingredients to create a more flavorful, ready-to-eat snack.Burst of flavour: Use of lemon juice, chaat masala, achar masala, green chili, and more offers a true burst of flavour that complements the crunchiness of puffed rice and makes it a comforting snack.Light and satisfying: This no-cook snack is very light and can be digested easily. Also, ingredients like puffed rice, peanuts, and chana make it quite satisfying and boost gut health.Healthy and nourishing: It is low in calories and fat. Also, puffed rice is light on the stomach and easy to digest, which makes Jhalmuri a good snack option for all age groups, including those who prefer lighter meals. According to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, it makes for a great evening snack for weight management.Affordable: In the present time, when a sandwich or pakoda costs at least Rs 50-60 per plate, Jhalmuri is still available for Rs 10-20 in local markets in many states.Aroma of raw mustard oil: One thing that makes this street food truly special is the use of raw mustard oil, which adds a pungent, earthy aroma unique to Bengali cuisine