Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Pakora

Pakora is a South Asian savoury fritter made by coating ingredients such as vegetables, meat, seafood, or cheese in a spiced batter and deep-frying them.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Pakora is a South Asian savoury fritter made by coating ingredients in a spiced batter and deep-frying them. It is a popular snack or appetiser across Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepali cuisines.

What it is

Pakora refers to a family of deep-fried fritters. The batter is typically based on gram flour or chickpea flour, seasoned with spices. Common fillings include vegetables like onion, potato, cauliflower, and eggplant, but meat, seafood, or cheese are also used.

Key details

Pakoras are usually served hot with chutney or raita. They are sold by street vendors and in restaurants across South Asia. The word pakora comes from Hindi pakoṛā, traced to Sanskrit pakvavaṭa-, meaning cooked or ripe.

Why it matters

Pakora is widely available in Canadian South Asian restaurants, snack shops, and home cooking, especially in cities with large Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepali communities. It is a versatile dish that can be vegetarian or include meat.

In short

  • Pakora is a deep-fried fritter from the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is made by dipping ingredients in spiced gram flour batter.
  • Common fillings include vegetables, meat, seafood, or cheese.
  • Often served with chutney or raita as a snack or appetiser.
Canadian angle

Pakora is widely available in Canadian South Asian restaurants, snack shops, and home cooking, especially in cities with large Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepali communities.

Quick questions

What is pakora?
Pakora is a South Asian savoury fritter made by deep-frying spiced batter-coated ingredients, usually vegetables.
What is pakora made from?
It is commonly made with gram flour or chickpea flour batter, plus ingredients such as onion, potato, cauliflower, or meat.
Is pakora vegetarian?
It can be vegetarian, but some versions include meat, seafood, or cheese.

Sources

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pakora
    Supports: Definition, etymology, and origin of the term pakora.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/pakora
    Supports: Description of pakora as a savoury deep-fried cake/fritter from Indian cuisine.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pakora
    Supports: Definition of pakora as a South Asian food made from battered and fried vegetables, meat, or fish.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakora
    Supports: Common ingredients, serving style, and distribution across South Asia.
  5. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pakora
    Supports: General definition and note that it is an Indian dish served with sauce.