Charmuri | Mandakki Upkari | Simple Yet Sophisticated Street Food Of Coastal Karnataka
Walking along the beaches of Mangalore, or strolling through Kadri Park or a lunch break stroll outside St. Aloysius college is not complete without a plate/ paper cone of Charmuri in hand. Charmuri or Mandakki Upkari is the most loved street food not just in Mangalore, but most of Coastal Karnataka. You go to any of the beaches, even the ones off the tourist radar, you will most certainly find a street vendor there selling this snack.
Everytime,I savour this simple yet tasty snack, I get a flashback of the childhood memories. It is quite unmissable; the aroma of all the ingredients whipped together with the coconut oil wafting through the air, enticing you to try a mouthful.
What is Charmuri and How to Make it?
In the words of Leonardo da Vinci “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Charmuri is puffed rice whipped together with aromatic ingredients and spices. A super simple snack made using the most basic of ingredients but packed with an array of flavours and textures. add to this the simple process of making charmuri; the vendor whipping all the ingredients together in a steel pot is an intrinsic part of this whole experience.
The recipe is a no brainer. It begins with mixing together the fresh ingredients with the spices and finally the puffed rice. Begin by chopping onions and tomatoes. Grate some carrot. Mix these together in a large enough mixing bowl along with chopped coriander leaves, salt and chilli powder. If in season, absolutely do not miss out on adding some grated raw mango. This will amp up the flavour to another level. Mix well along with coconut oil and lime juice. Add some roasted peanuts and finally add the puffed rice and mix well and serve.
This dish is fully customisable by altering the proportion of the ingredients to suit your taste. As you must have observed, the ingredients used add multiple layers of flavour and texture to the dish. Onions and Tomatoes are a given in any Indian street-food. The raw onions impart pungency to the dish along with a crispy and crunchy texture The tomatoes impart a light tart taste with a fresh herby feel to it along with the moisture. The grated carrots add to the crunch and impart a mild sweet flavour. The coriander leaves bring in a refreshing citrusy overtone. The heat is provided by the chilli powder while the peanuts add an earthy, nutty crunch.
Some vendors also add grated beetroot, adding earthy sweetness to the snack. I had no beetroots available at hand, hence did not use. The lime juice forms the major tart component of the dish, while the coconut oil helps to bind all these ingredients together and bring out their flavours. Just like most people who love this snack, raw mango is my favourite addition. I would always ask for an extra generous portion of raw mango. The tiny crunchy slivers of raw mango give that random burst of tartness in every bite.
Finally, the puffed rice, gives it volume and of course the crispy texture. It is important to add the puffed rice at the very end and serve immediately. Failure to do so will turn the puffed rice soggy, thanks to the oil, lime juice and the moisture from the fresh ingredients. Whichever part of the globe you are in, walk into your nearby Indian/ Asian store and buy a pack of puffed rice and make this easy, tasty and healthy snack. If you are a fan of the Boiled Egg Charmuri that is available outside St. Aloysius College in Mangalore, just add some chopped hard boiled eggs and serve. And wash it down with a refreshing Summer Cooler.
Charmuri
Ingredients
- 1 Onion, medium sized, chopped fine
- 1 Tomato, medium sized, chopped fine
- ⅓ Cup Carrot, grated
- ⅓ Cup Beetroot (optional), grated
- 2 tbsp Raw Mango, grated
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp Red Chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ Lime, juiced
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- ¼ Cup Peanuts, roasted
- 4 Cups Puffed Rice
To make Boiled-Egg Charmuri:
- 2 Eggs (Hard-boiled), roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a large enough mixing bowl, take the onion, tomato, carrot, beetroot (if using), raw mango, coriander leaves, salt and chilli powder and mix well
- Add the lime juice and coconut oil and mix well
- Finally, add the peanuts and puffed rice and mix well until the puffed rice is well coated with the oil and chilli powder
- Serve immediately, preferably in paper cones for that added nostalgic touch
To make Boiled-Egg Charmuri:
- If you intend to make boiled-egg charmuri, add chopped hard boiled eggs and serve
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