Every culture has its own language of snacking. In Germany, pretzels and sausages dominate social gatherings, while in India, it’s a handful of spicy mixture, a crispy samosa, or a steaming plate of pakoras with masala chai. Snacks are not merely fillers between meals; they are cultural bridges, emotional triggers, and, often, expressions of identity.

For Indians living in Berlin, the craving for familiar flavors often leads to searching for authentic snacks that taste just like home. For Berlin locals and food lovers, Indian snacks offer an exciting way to experience the rich and diverse food culture of India without leaving the city.

At the heart of this culinary connection is Anant Supermarkt, Berlin’s one-stop shop for authentic Indian groceries. Their wide range of snacks; from namkeens to sweet treats, makes it easy to relive traditions or explore something new.

But before we talk about what you can buy in Berlin today, let’s take a journey into the story of Indian snacks, their cultural significance, and why they continue to remain such an integral part of daily life.

Why Indian Snacks Are Special

Snacks in India are not a single category—they’re an entire universe of taste. Each region contributes something unique. In South India, you’ll find murukku and banana chips; in the North, samosas and bhujia dominate. The West brings us farsan, sev, and chivda, while the East is rich with sweets like sandesh and nimki. What makes Indian snacks special is their variety of flavors—spicy, tangy, salty, sweet, crunchy, and even fermented.

They are also strongly tied to rituals and rhythms of daily life. Morning tea with rusk, afternoon chai with pakoras, and late-night gatherings with a packet of bhujia snacks punctuate Indian days. They aren’t just food items but companions to conversations, festivals, and memories.

For those living abroad, snacks often become a connection to nostalgia. A single bite of the mixture can take you back to Diwali evenings at home or remind you of chai breaks in college. For Berliners curious about India, these snacks are an introduction to flavors and traditions that go beyond mainstream curries.

Indian Snacks in Berlin: The Availability Gap

For a long time, finding authentic Indian snacks in Berlin was a challenge. Small shops carried limited supplies, and authenticity was questionable. However, with the rise of specialty supermarkets like Anant, things have changed. Today, you can get everything from classic Haldiram’s mixtures to regional favorites like Malabar Mixture Hot or Gramarheim Garlic Mixture, all under one roof.

The growing popularity of Indian food in Europe has also fueled this change. As Berliners explore global cuisines, demand for authentic snacks has risen. Whether you’re an Indian student in Kreuzberg, a family in Charlottenburg, or a German foodie who loves bold flavors, the snack aisle at Anant offers something that resonates.

3 Primary Categories of Indian Snacks

1. Namkeen and Mixtures

Namkeen is a broad category of savory snacks made with chickpea flour, lentils, spices, and nuts. They are crunchy, spiced, and often eaten with tea. The diversity of namkeen across India is staggering.

• Gramarheim Garlic Mixture (400 g): A standout in Berlin, this mixture combines crispy chickpea noodles with garlic seasoning, fried lentils, and curry leaves. Its bold flavor makes it ideal with evening chai or even as a topping on pulao.

• Delicious Delights Malabar Mixture Hot (400 g): This South Indian-style mixture is fiery and bold, made with sev, boondis, peanuts, and curry leaves. It’s the kind of snack that wakes up your taste buds.

• Haldiram’s Classic Mixes: Available at Anant, these include favorites like Navrattan Mix and Chana Dal. Haldiram’s has become synonymous with namkeen worldwide, thanks to its consistent quality and nostalgic taste.

• Bikano Bikaneri Bhujia: A Rajasthani gem made with moth beans and besan, seasoned with asafoetida and pepper. This snack is crunchy, flavorful, and almost addictive.

These namkeens aren’t just for munching straight from the packet. In Berlin kitchens, they can be sprinkled on salads for crunch, used as toppings for soups, or even incorporated into fusion recipes like bhujia-stuffed sandwiches.

2. Chips and Kurkure

No snack culture is complete without chips, and India’s take on chips goes beyond potato. Banana chips from Kerala, jackfruit chips from coastal India, and masala-flavored potato crisps are all staples.

• Kurkure Masala Munch: India’s answer to Cheetos, Kurkure is spicy, tangy, and uniquely crunchy. Available at Anant, it’s especially popular among students looking for a quick, flavorful snack.

• Banana Chips: South Indian-style banana chips fried in coconut oil offer a different flavor profile compared to Western potato chips. They’re lighter, crispier, and slightly sweet.

• Jackfruit Chips: Harder to find, but a specialty worth trying. Their nutty flavor and crunch make them a healthier alternative to regular chips.

3. Sweets and Cookies

While namkeen takes care of the savory side, no Indian snack culture is complete without sweets. In India, sweets are both desserts and snacks—often enjoyed in the afternoon with tea or offered to guests.

• Bikano Almond Pista Cookies: Crunchy and mildly sweet, perfect for pairing with coffee.

• Haldiram’s Soan Papdi: A flaky, sweet treat that melts in your mouth. While it might feel festive, it’s also a popular everyday indulgence.

• Delicious Delights Biscuits: Familiar to many Indians, these biscuits are reminiscent of tea-time at home.

These sweet snacks balance the spiciness of namkeen, making them a perfect dual experience for snack lovers.

Street Food–Inspired Snacks in Berlin

Indian street food is legendary. Bustling markets filled with aromas of chaat, golgappas, samosas, and pakoras define much of India’s snacking culture. While Berlin might not have roadside stalls serving these delicacies at every corner, the growing Indian community and supermarkets like Anant are making it easier to recreate the experience at home.

Some of the most popular street food–inspired snacks you can find in packaged form include:

• Haldiram’s Samosa (frozen and ready-to-fry): Mini samosas filled with spiced potatoes and peas that can be fried or baked at home. Perfect for gatherings or evening snacks.

• Chaat Kits: A mix of papdi (crispy wafers), sev, and chutneys—great for making dahi puri or sev puri in your Berlin kitchen.

• Pakora Mixes: Besan-based ready mixes that allow you to prepare onion bhaji or aloo pakora quickly.

Street food in India is about the balance of textures and flavors—crispy bases, tangy chutneys, spicy masalas, and cooling yogurt. In Berlin, these flavors can be replicated with packaged snacks from Anant combined with a little creativity. For example, top bhujia with chopped onions, tomatoes, and a drizzle of tamarind sauce, and you’ve created a mini chaat bowl in minutes.

Regional Snack Origins and Backstories

Indian snacks tell stories of geography, history, and migration. Each bite carries the flavor of a place. For those exploring Indian snacks in Berlin, knowing these stories makes the experience richer.

Rajasthan – Bhujia and Papad

The desert state of Rajasthan gave the world Bikaneri Bhujia, made from moth beans and gram flour. Its popularity spread across India, and today it’s one of the most consumed snacks abroad. Papads (thin, crispy wafers made from lentils or rice flour) also hail from this region.

Gujarat – Farsan and Theplas

Gujarati snacks, collectively known as farsan, include dhokla, fafda, sev, and khakhra. Light yet flavorful, these snacks are often eaten for breakfast or tea-time. Khakhra, in particular, has found fans in Berlin for being a healthy, travel-friendly option.

South India – Mixtures and Chips

South India’s mixture is fiery, crunchy, and often enhanced with curry leaves. Kerala’s banana chips fried in coconut oil are a healthier alternative to potato crisps. Both are readily available in Berlin supermarkets and are perfect companions to coffee or tea.

Bengal – Nimki and Sweets

Eastern India’s snack culture leans heavily towards sweets, but savory treats like nimki (a crisp, salted pastry) are equally popular. For Bengalis in Berlin, sweets like soan papdi and rasgulla from brands like Haldiram’s help keep traditions alive.

Punjab – Mathri and Masala Peanuts

Punjabi households thrive on hearty snacks like mathri (a spiced, fried biscuit) and masala-coated peanuts. They’re rich, crunchy, and often paired with hot chai during winter evenings.

Understanding these origins adds depth to the snack experience—reminding you that what you eat in Berlin is a piece of India’s culinary map.

Recipes and Snack Pairings in Berlin Kitchens

While many snacks can be enjoyed straight from the packet, they also make excellent bases for creative recipes. For Berlin households—Indian and non-Indian alike—snacks can be reimagined in simple, fusion-friendly ways.

Chaat Bowls

• Base: Sev, bhujia, or mixture

• Toppings: Chopped onion, tomato, coriander

• Dressing: Yogurt + tamarind chutney + green chutney

Bhujia Sandwich

• Bread slices buttered and toasted

• Filling: A layer of bhujia, topped with green chutney and cucumbers

• Result: A crunchy, spicy twist to a regular sandwich

Namkeen Salad

• Ingredients: Sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes, onions

• Garnish: A handful of Navrattan Mix for crunch

• Dressing: Lemon juice, salt, and chaat masala

Cookie Pairings

Indian cookies like pista badam biscuits or soan papdi can be paired with Berlin’s coffee culture. Try them with cappuccino or espresso for a cross-cultural treat.

These recipes allow snacks to transition from being simple nibbles to centerpieces of meals or gatherings.

Health-Conscious Snacking

For many Indians in Berlin, health is a priority. Traditional snacks are often deep-fried, but today’s brands offer baked, roasted, and low-oil alternatives. Anant stocks a range of options that balance authenticity with health:

• Roasted Chana: Protein-rich and crunchy, a guilt-free evening snack.

• Khakhra: Thin, roasted crisps made from wheat flour. Perfect for breakfast or a light snack.

• Masala Makhana (Fox Nuts): High in fiber and low in fat, makhana has become a modern superfood.

• Baked Namkeens: Brands like Haldiram’s now offer baked bhujia and sev for calorie-conscious consumers.

Berliners focused on wellness can easily integrate these healthier Indian snacks into their diet. Paired with fresh salads or yogurt dips, they bring flavor without compromising on nutrition.

Anant Supermarkt: Berlin’s Indian Snack Hub

When it comes to buying snacks in Berlin, Anant Supermarkt has carved out its niche as the most reliable destination. Their shelves are stocked with a mix of big Indian brands like Haldiram’s, Bikano, Patanjali, Ashoka, and Kurkure, as well as regional specialties like Gramarheim and Delicious Delights.

Some bestsellers in the snack aisle include:

• Gramarheim Garlic Mixture (400 g) – bold, garlicky crunch

• Delicious Delights Malabar Mixture Hot (400 g) – South Indian-style heat

• Haldiram’s Navrattan Mix – classic north Indian namkeen

• Bikano Bikaneri Bhujia – timeless Rajasthani flavor

• Kurkure Masala Munch – spicy, tangy fun snack

• Banana Chips & Jackfruit Chips – Kerala’s crunchy treasures

The variety ensures that no matter what you crave—sweet, spicy, tangy, or healthy—you’ll find something that feels like home or an exciting discovery.