Indori Poha Recipe – A Flavorful Street Style Breakfast

Introduction

Indori Poha is one of the most iconic street foods from the heart of India — Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Unlike the regular poha found in other regions, this version is uniquely prepared, lightly sweet, mildly spiced, and served with a generous topping of crunchy sev, tangy jeeravan masala, fresh onions, and a dash of lemon juice.

What truly sets Indori Poha apart is its steamed preparation method and the pairing with jalebi, making it a royal breakfast loved by locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re recreating Indore’s street-style breakfast at home or trying it for the first time, this easy Indori Poha recipe brings the flavors of MP to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Light, healthy, and filling

• ✅ Cooked with minimal oil

• ✅ Infused with fennel and mustard seeds

• ✅ Topped with crunchy sev and fresh garnishes

• ✅ Perfect for breakfast or light evening snack

Whether you’re looking for a quick Indian breakfast, a gluten-free snack, or want to impress guests with a regional favorite, Indori Poha is your answer.

🛒 Ingredients for Indori Poha

For the Poha Base:

• 1 cup thick poha (flattened rice)

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 1–2 green chilies, chopped

• 1 small potato, peeled and finely diced (optional)

• 2 tablespoons raw peanuts

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 6–8 curry leaves

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• Salt to taste

• 1 tablespoon refined oil or groundnut oil

For Garnishing:

• 1/2 teaspoon jeeravan masala (Indore’s special spice mix)

• 2 tablespoons chopped onions

• 2 tablespoons nylon sev

• A handful of pomegranate seeds (optional)

• Chopped fresh coriander leaves

• Juice of half a lemon

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method to Make Indori Poha

🔹 Step 1: Wash and Prep the Poha

1. Place 1 cup of thick poha in a sieve or colander.

2. Rinse it under running water for 30 seconds.

3. Allow the poha to sit and absorb moisture for 5–10 minutes.

4. Once soft, fluff the poha using a fork and add:

   • 1/4 tsp turmeric

   • Salt to taste

   • 1 tsp sugar
     Mix gently and set aside.

🔸 Tip: Do not soak poha in water. Just rinsing and resting gives the perfect soft texture.

🔹 Step 2: Make the Tempering

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a kadhai or pan.

2. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

3. Add fennel seeds, then toss in peanuts. Roast until golden.

4. Add curry leaves and chopped green chilies.

5. Add onions and sauté until translucent.

6. Optionally, add diced potatoes and cook until soft (about 3–4 mins).

🔸 Fennel seeds (saunf) give Indori Poha its signature aroma and slight sweetness.

🔹 Step 3: Steam the Poha

1. Add the soaked and fluffed poha to the pan.

2. Mix gently to coat the poha with the masala.

3. Sprinkle a few drops of water, cover the pan, and steam on low heat for 3–5 minutes.

4. Stir occasionally but gently to avoid breaking the poha flakes.

                                                                         Indori Poha

🔹 Step 4: Final Garnishing and Serving

1. Turn off the heat. Add fresh lemon juice and mix lightly.

2. Serve hot on a plate and top with:

   • Chopped onions

   • A sprinkle of jeeravan masala

   • Crunchy sev

   • Fresh coriander

   • Optional: pomegranate seeds for sweetness and color

     

🍽️ What to Serve with Indori Poha?

• ✅ Hot jalebis – a classic street combo in Indore

• ✅ Masala chai or ginger tea

• ✅ Extra sev and chutney for added flavor

• ✅ A light fruit salad or curd for balance

💡 Tips to Make Perfect Indori Poha

1. Use thick poha only – Thin poha gets soggy quickly.

2. Don’t over-soak – Just rinse and rest. Over-soaking ruins the texture.

3. Steam, don’t fry – The secret to fluffy Indori Poha lies in steaming.

4. Add sugar – That slight sweetness is traditional and delicious.

5. Use jeeravan masala – Available in stores or made at home.

🌶️ What is Jeeravan Masala?

Jeeravan Masala is a unique spice blend from Indore, used to enhance poha, salads, or even snacks. It typically includes:

• Roasted cumin powder

• Black salt

• Hing (asafoetida)

• Dry mango powder

• Clove and cinnamon

• Dry ginger powder

• Red chili powder

You can find it in Indian stores or make it at home for authentic flavor.

🧮 Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~230 kcal

• Carbs: 38g

• Protein: 5g

• Fat: 7g

• Fiber: 3g

• Iron: High (thanks to poha)

• Gluten-Free: Yes