A bowl of namkeen alongside a cup of chai is a familiar ritual across South Asian households crunchy, savoury, and endlessly varied by region and recipe.
Got questions? We've got answers.
Namkeen refers to savoury, often fried snack mixes made from ingredients like gram flour, rice flakes, lentils and spices, traditionally eaten as a snack with tea.
Both are thin, fried gram flour snacks, but Bhujia is typically more heavily spiced and associated with a specific regional style (notably Bikaneri Bhujia), while Sev is often plainer and used as a topping.
Chivda is typically made from flattened rice (poha), roasted and mixed with nuts, spices and sometimes dried fruit for a crunchy, savoury snack.
Spice level varies significantly by product — check the individual product description, as some namkeen varieties are mild while others are quite spicy.
This varies — gram flour-based sev and bhujia are often gluten-free, but some mixture blends may include wheat-based elements. Check the individual product's ingredient list.
Many mixture and chivda blends contain nuts like peanuts or cashews — check the individual product's allergen information.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place; exposure to humidity will cause namkeen to lose its crunch.
Traditionally, most namkeen varieties are deep fried; some brands may offer roasted or baked alternatives — check the individual product page.
Unopened namkeen typically has a shelf life of several months — check the best-before date on individual packaging.
Yes — namkeen snacks are traditionally vegetarian.
Yes — Sev is commonly used as a crunchy topping for chaat dishes, salads and other snacks, in addition to being eaten on its own.
Namkeen snacks are generally seasoned with salt and can be higher in sodium — check the individual product's nutrition label for specific values.
Chakli is a spiral-shaped, deep-fried savoury snack made from a rice and gram flour dough, distinct in shape and texture from sev or bhujia.
Bulk or multi-pack options vary by product — check the individual product page for available sizes.
Some namkeen varieties are milder than others — check the individual product description, and offer smaller amounts if serving to young children.