Chana Masala

A quick snack or a breakfast delight, India’s connection with the Chana Masala has only grown with time. The Chana Masala, also known as the chole masala, is a legume-based curry made with Chana or chickpeas, that has swept India, especially the northern states, with its alluring and piquant taste. Be it with kulchas (Indian bread), puris or as chole bhature, the Chana Masala has often been linked to Punjabi cuisine. Today it is a much consumed and commonly available street food sure to be found at any eatery, especially in the Delhi NCR region.

Chana Masala is a savoury dish made with boiled chickpeas cooked in a curry of onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and a hefty number of Indian spices, often topped with chopped onions and coriander. The consistency of the gravy ranges from runny to dry, depending on the choice of sides and the chef.

The origins of this dish can be traced back to Indian Independence and the Partition of 1947. With the huge migration that followed, masses were translocated violently, almost overnight. People lost their homes, families and loved ones. It was believed that in such a situation, Peshori Lal Lamba migrated from Lahore to Delhi and brought with him recipes of new, unknown foods. He set up an eatery at Connaught Place named Kwality and started serving the iconic chole along with other snacks.

However, this story is often debated, as some people credit Sita Ram for serving ‘the world’s best chole’ at his restaurant, Sita Ram Diwan Chand. They claim that Sita Ram came to Delhi with his son Diwan Chand and started his eatery, where he first sold the celebrated chole bhature for twelve annas. His legacy is still continued by his grandson, Pran Nath Kohli. Whatever the actual story might be, it would be safe to say that it was due to Partition that the dish came to Delhi, thereafter making the Chana Masala a treat across the country.

Though a classic north Indian dish, it has found a fan base in South India too, cementing its status as a pan-Indian staple. In fact, such is the craze for the Chole Bhature, or Chana Masala as it is, that every year on 2nd October, Chole Bhature Day is celebrated to appreciate the universal love for chole. This custom was started by Shashank Agarwal on social media on this date in 2012. It became such a trend that everyone started posting pictures of Chola or Chana they prepared with unique sides.