Also known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, making it one of the most significant festivals in Indian c
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, making it one of the most significant festivals in Indian culture. A key part of these celebrations is sweets—also known as mithai. They are offered to the gods and shared with family and friends, often as gifts.
As someone with an insatiable sweet tooth (please don’t tell my dentist), I eagerly volunteered when our team set out on a mission to find the best mithai for Deepavali in Little India. Here are my top 8 favorites from the adventure:
Jalebi
This bright orange, spiral-shaped snack caught my eye at Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries. Jalebi is made by deep-frying wheat flour and soaking it in a saffron sugar syrup, giving it a vibrant color and a chewy yet crunchy texture. I could easily down a handful of these in one sitting!
Where to buy:
Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries, 4 Upper Dickson Rd
Adyar Sweets & Snacks, 1 Dalhousie Ln
Moghul Sweet Shop, 48 Serangoon Rd
Gulab Jamun
These soft, spongy balls of bliss are made from semolina and milk solids, fried to a golden brown and soaked in a spice-infused syrup flavored with cardamom and rosewater. Each bite was a flavorful burst of sweetness!
Where to buy:
Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries
Mithai Mandir, 48 Serangoon Road, Little India Arcade
Moghul Sweet Shop, 48 Serangoon Rd
Burfi (Barfi)
Shiny and topped with edible silver leaf, Burfi is a fudge-like sweet made from milk and sugar, often flavored with pistachio or chocolate. I opted for the cashew flavor, and its rich, creamy texture paired perfectly with tea.
Where to buy:
Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries
Mithai Mandir, 48 Serangoon Road
Adyar Sweets & Snacks
Moghul Sweet Shop
Karanji
Not a curry puff, but a delightful pastry stuffed with sweet shredded coconut and dried fruits. The crispy, flaky dough paired beautifully with the soft filling—ideal for snacking on the go.
Where to buy:
Mithai Mandir
Moghul Sweet Shop
Laddu (Ladoo)
At Adyar Sweets & Snacks, we sampled different varieties of Laddu—cashew-raisin, saffron, and cardamom. These melt-in-your-mouth treats, made from deep-fried chickpea flour and sugar syrup, were so good I couldn’t pick a favorite!
Where to buy:
Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries
Mithai Mandir
Adyar Sweets & Snacks
Moghul Sweet Shop
Peda
At Moghul Sweet Shop, a queue had already formed outside when we arrived, and we quickly learned why. These coin-shaped sweets made with milk, sugar, and flavors like saffron and pistachio are soft, fudgy, and delicious.
Where to buy:
Komala Vilas Sweets And Savouries
Mithai Mandir
Adyar Sweets & Snacks
Moghul Sweet Shop
Cham Cham
A Bengali specialty, Cham Cham is made from Indian cottage cheese and khoya. Served cold, it’s the perfect refreshing treat on a hot day, and I’m grateful to the folks at Mithai Mandir for insisting I try it.
Athirasam
This deceptively simple-looking pastry from Adyar Sweets & Snacks is a challenge to master. Made of rice flour and jaggery, Athirasam is a caramel-like snack that’s soft and fluffy with a slight crunch—a must-try!
Top images via Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association/Facebook and Saeyeon Lee
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