Despite being referred regarded as India’s Silicon Valley due to its tall tech towers and vibrant international culture, Bangalore has a rich and wonderful gastronomic history that is concealed beneath the city’s digital exterior. Sweets are at the core of this tradition, bringing back fond memories, joy, and a sense of community pride.
Bangalore’s sweet scene is a stunning blend of Kannadiga customs, local influences, and changing urban tastes, whether it’s the well-known but adored Belgaum Kunda or the fabled Mysore Pak served at festivals. More than simply food, sweets represent a cultural statement, a family heritage, and a component of Bangalore’s changing character in a city where vintage confectionery stores coexist with modern dessert cafés.
This blog will examine Bangalore’s culinary heritage, ranging from ancient recipes handed down through the ages to contemporary creations that are reinventing the dessert plate while preserving the city’s cultural identity.
1. Mysore Pak: The Royal Sweet of Karnataka
Mysore Pak, a dessert that is associated with Karnataka’s culinary pride, is a must-start while discussing Bangalore’s sweet culture. Made with only three ingredients—gram flour, ghee, and sugar—Mysore Pak was developed in the royal kitchens of Mysore by renowned chef Kakasura Madappa. However, it has become famous due to its strong flavour and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Sri Krishna Sweets and Asha Sweets are two of the several establishments in Bangalore that continue to preserve the splendour of traditional Mysore Pak. Others yearn for the tougher, porous Mysore Pak that crumbles flawlessly with every mouthful, while others favour the mushy, ghee-laden kind.
Mysore Pak is still cherished by Bangaloreans, whether it is given as a Diwali gift, served at weddings, or shared during house-warming celebrations.
2. Belgaum Kunda: The Sweet with a Burnt Twist
A lesser-known jewel that has gained a devoted following in Bangalore, Belgaum Kunda is originally from Belgaum (now Belagavi) in North Karnataka. The slightly burned, smokey flavour of this rich, caramelised dish, which is created from milk and sugar cooked over a slow heat, distinguishes it from other Indian desserts.
Found at a few confectioneries and North Karnataka restaurants in the Malleswaram, Rajajinagar, and Basaveshwaranagar areas, Kunda is a symbol of the impact of northern Karnataka on Bangalore’s culinary scene. This confection is starting to appear in gourmet food trails and citywide sweet festivals due to the increased popularity of traditional flavours.
3. Obbattu (Holige): The Festive Staple
Obbattu, sometimes called Holige or Puran Poli in other parts of India, is a popular traditional dessert in Bangalore, particularly around Dasara and Ugadi (Kannada New Year). It is often served with a significant amount of ghee and is made using maida or wheat flour filled with a sweet lentil and jaggery mixture.
The variety—kai obbattu (coconut filling), shenga obbattu (groundnut filling), and even dry fruit varieties have gained popularity—is what distinguishes Bangalore’s Obbattu from others. This seasonal dessert is preserved by several local bakeries and residences, fusing history and flavour.
The New Modern Hotel in VV Puram and Raghavendra Stores in Malleshwaram are well-known for its warm, genuine obbattus that take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen.
4. Dharwad Peda: A Taste of North Karnataka in the South
The Dharwad Peda is another treat that has subtly entered Bangalore’s sweet heritage. This sweet dish, which comes from the city of Dharwad, is produced by gradually lowering milk and adding sugar. The end product is a chewy treat with a hint of smokey flavour.
People seeking a less sweeter, more earthy dessert choice choose the Dharwad Peda, which is available in many sweet shops that carry local Karnataka goods. Its popularity among Bangalore’s confectionery enthusiasts has grown in recent years thanks to gourmet food outlets and internet delivery services.
5. Khova Naan and Other Milk-Based Treats
In Bangalore’s culinary heritage, milk-based sweets have a special position, particularly in neighbourhoods like Basavanagudi and Chamrajpet, where traditional confections including:
- Khoya, sugar, and ghee are the ingredients of khoha naan, a soft, chewy treat.
- Babam Halwa: Made fresh during festive seasons, this dish is rich and nutty.
- Besan and Rava ladoos are simple yet exquisite, ideal for household rituals or as gifts.
Many of these candies are produced using traditional methods in tiny quantities, and they sometimes sell out in a matter of hours. Even in the fast-paced world of today, bakeries like VB Bakery, Shivanna Gulkand, and Bangalore Iyengar continue to provide such products.
6. Street Sweets and the VV Puram Food Street
A visit to VV Puram Food Street, a midnight foodie’s paradise, is a must for any discussion about Bangalore’s sweet culture. This is where you may find:
- Kesari Bath served with spicy khara bath;
- Gulab jamuns melting in sweet syrup;
- Chiroti sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with almond milk;
- Kalebis hot out of the pan
In addition to sating appetites, these street treats symbolise the unplanned happiness that food offers to Bangalore’s multicultural populace.
7. Fusion Sweets: Tradition Meets Modernity
Bangalore’s dessert scene is changing along with the city. Gourmet desserts and fusion sweets are growing in popularity among younger audiences.
These days, artisan dessert cafés in the Indiranagar, Jayanagar, and Koramangala areas provide
- Mysore Pak Cheesecake,
- Obbattu Ice Cream, and
- Ragi Chocolate Ladoos.
By combining the old and the contemporary, the delightful legacy is preserved and is instead reimagined for each generation.
8. Sweet Celebrations and Rituals
Not only are sweets consumed in Bangalore, but they are also offered at temples, shared at special occasions, traded during festivals, and preserved as family recipes. Sweets convey emotion, memories, and a sense of home, whether it’s a box of Mysore Pak mailed to a friend overseas or a kunda purchased on the way back from a road trip.
The hallowed position of sweets in Bangalore’s social and spiritual life is further reinforced by temples such as ISKCON in Rajajinagar and Dodda Ganesha in Basavanagudi, which provide prasad in the form of payasam and laddoos.
Conclusion
Bangalore’s sweet legacy is a mouthwatering tale of creativity, community, and legacy. From celebratory obbattu to contemporary dessert fusion, the city’s sweet culture is as varied as its residents, ranging from the majestic Mysore Pak to the rustic Belgaum Kunda.
Bangalore’s love of homemade sweets serves as a reassuring reminder that some traditions are best kept in sugar and ghee in a world that is rapidly moving towards quick food and digital consumption. Therefore, instead of ordering cupcakes the next time you’re in Bangalore, request a piece of history that has been wrapped in banana leaves and is flavoured with recollections.
Leave a Reply