Want to chaat? “Chaat” is a Hindi word that means to “lick” or “taste.” It is also a popular street snack eaten all over India. In Houston, it’s available at many Indian enclaves, and Chaat House (16338 Kensington Dr., Sugar Land, 281-565-0555) specializes in it. Try the mixed chaat ($3.25), which is a combination of all of the varieties. The server takes a plate and layers on puffed wheat, crispy, puffed rice, unleavened bread, tomatoes, chickpeas and cilantro, then drizzles on some yogurt, spices and chutneys. The result is a hot and sweet snack that’s crunchy and soggy at the same time. Chaat should be eaten quickly, lest the liquid make everything too soggy to enjoy — which shouldn’t be a problem, since it’s hard to put down this snack once you start.
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2008.