Avanti Shukla
Travel Expert
15 Popular Chaknas around the World
Imagine an evening with your buddies, booze and you. Wait, what? Drinks and no chakna? No way!! If you do not have the right side dish along with your drink, let me tell you, it is going to be quite dampening. To make sure your next daru party doesn’t become a dull party we’ve gathered all info on chakna food and drinks in this blog. Ready to become the Chakna master!? Here we have 15 Popular Chaknas around the world.
What is Chakna?
For those who are new to this word, the term ‘chakna’ is an Indian slang referring to side-dishes that are munched along with alcohol. Commonly used in the northern and central India, chakna could be anything from snacks to starters.
Most of us usually pick one or the other combination of chaknas with their favourite drinks like Beer, Rum, Whisky, Vodka & Wine etc., let’s see some common & best chakna picks below
Best Chakna with Beer
When beer is on the table and your friends around it, you know you are in for a good time. The right Chakna item will let your endless conversations flow ever so smoothly. On doing a small survey among our colleagues and friends, it was found that there are a few favourite chakna dishes in every group.
The top chakna foods preferred with beer are french fries with cheesy dips, potato chips, and lemon chicken nuggets.
Best Chakna with Rum
If you are looking for best chakna that goes well with rum, then first let’s acknowledge that you are a hard-core drinker. In our experience and from the information we’ve gathered, we’ve found out that almost anything goes well with this Hot drink. But we have our favourites.
Whether you are drinking rum and coke or any other way, the best chakna with rum is Panner tikka, bhujia, Fish fry, and Anda bhurji.
Best Chakna with Whiskey
Whiskey-lovers have been in the drinking game for long. And we agree that being high on Whiskey is definitely a heavenly feeling. Bourbon or Scotch, there are a few chakna items that we Indians love having with our Whiskey.
Some of the best chakna with Whiskey are peanuts, masala papad, kebabs, and tandoori chicken.
Best Chakna with Vodka
In its original form Vodka is a colourless and flavourless drink that is widely consumed all over the world. It’s because of these properties, Vodka is popularly consumed in the form of cocktails. Vodka Martini, Vodka tonic and bloody mary are some of the famous vodka cocktails.
Some of the best Chakna with Vodka are onion rings, veg crispy, nachos, and jhinga fry.
Best Chakna with Wine
Wine is by far one of the most widely consumed drink. There is so much romance associated with this drink, starting with swirling it the right way to get unlock its smell to drinking it the right way. One of the best combinations with Wine is anything with Cheese.
The best chakna with Wine can be anything that has cheese like mac and cheese balls, stuffed mushrooms, chicken with creamy mushrooms.
15 Popular Chaknas around the World
1. French Fries and Potato Chips
Pocket-friendly, simple and delicious, French fries and potato chips are some of the universal favourites! Available in a wide variety, these crispy bites go well with a host of beverages. You can enhance it with whatever topping you like and add more fun to your drinking party.
2. Peanuts
Fried ones, salted ones, peanuts with tomatoes and onions and some masalas can add masala to your party! You can find this anywhere and everywhere. A quintessential to your beer sips, peanuts is one of the most favourites of side dishes.
3. Tandoori Chicken
The mouth-watering roasted Tandoori chicken is a great favourite with all kinds of drinks. Marinated with the special tandoori masala and curd, this chakna can be accompanied by a host of other side dishes.
4. Paneer Tikka
What tandoori chicken is to non-vegetarians, paneer tikka is to vegetarians. This irresistible chakna is spicy, tangy and oh-so-delicious. Paneer tikka goes well with onions, mint leaves chutney. With a peg of Rum ready and paneer tikka complimenting it on the side, you are all set for an amazing party!
5. Veg Crispy
Another vegetarian chakna here, that too Chinese! Now that has got to be yummy! Vegetables fried and cooked in a typical Chinese style is a good chakna for the vegetarians. This crispy side dish is considered to be one of the best chakna with vodka.
6. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are loved by both vegetarians and non-vegetarians to accompany their drinks. There are many varieties of this chakna item but each of them is considered to be the best side dish for Wine. But people with allergies…beware!
7. Jhinga
Fry Imagine having a seaside party with your friends, drinks and prawn fries…heavenly! Jhinga fry, prawns koliwada, butter garlic prawns, prawns dishes make some of the most amazing chakna! Most people agree that Prawns fry is best chakna for vodka.
8. Fish Fry & Fish Fingers
Fish fry and fish fingers are common dishes in most of the coastal areas. For this chakna, Fish is fried in the classic spicy Indian batter that gives it the crispiness from the outside and tender juiciness inside. Non-vegetarians love pairing this chakna item with Whiskey.
9. Masala Papad
Cheapest and yummiest side dish along with drinks is masala papad. The crispy masala papad, topped with nuts, tomatoes, onions, and coriander leaves definitely makes a great chakna with whatever the drink is.
10. Onion Rings
Simple and tasty! Onions are dipped in a batter and bread crumbs then deeply fried. Some people even use a beer batter instead of a regular batter to make it unique. While this side dish is consumed with all kinds of drinks, onion rings are considered to be the best chakna for vodka.
11. Chicken Wings
Tender inside, crispy outside, chicken wings are the best chakna, hands down. We have our ever reliable KFC chicken wings to save the party! Every non-vegetarians go-to chakna dish, chicken wings compliment any kind of drink. From beer to whiskey this chakna will go with your daru.
12. Nachos
Give your party a Mexican twist with Nachos and cheesy dips. These crispy varieties add a bit of crunch and make your party merrier. Masala papad in a Mexican way, that’s what nachos are! Top them up with veggies or tiny chicken bites or eat them just the classic way this Chakna is absolutely delicious every way.
13. Kebabs
Spicy, fiery Kebab with whiskey is the most amazing chakna-drink combination. Kebabs enjoy a very special place in every Indian’s heart, making it THE must-have chakna with Indians when it comes to snacking during happy hours.
14. Chilli Cheese Toast
Wondering what to eat with your special bottle of Whiskey? You should certainly consider chilli cheese toast. A common dish in most of the Sport’s bars, this chakna food is crispy, cheesy and spicy! Chilli cheese toast is among the favourites of any whiskey lover. You can also include a few add ons and give it your own twist to this dish.
15. Bhujia
We have all been there when you just can’t stop munching on Bhujia. This desi chakna is spicy, salty, tangy and munchlicious! While bhujia compliments most of the drinks, most people love to have bhujia with hot drinks like rum and whiskey. For every drink, there is a special chakna that compliments it like no other side-dish.
While we have combined a list of most popular and common chaknas around the world, we know that every person has one special combination that’s close to their heart.
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