Occasions
Rainy day chai and snacks.
In much of India, the first rain of the season means a cup of chai and a plate of something fried. Here is how that tradition works and how to recreate it on a wet Ottawa day.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
The tradition
Chai plus fried snacks
Classic
Pakoras, samosas
Mood
Warm, social
At Tapri Chai
Samosa, kachori
01
Why rain calls for chai
Monsoon season brings relief from the heat, and the habit of sitting with a hot drink and something crisp has become a ritual of its own. People gather on balconies and at tea stalls, and the mood is as important as the food.
02
The classic fried snacks
Fritters called pakoras or bhajiyas are the traditional rain snack, with onion, potato or chilli in a gram flour batter. Samosas and kachoris are close relatives. On our menu, these fit the idea:
- Samosas (x2), $4.99
- Pyaz Kachori (x2), $7.99
- Vada Pav, $5.49
- Peri Peri Fries, $6.99
03
The chai
The chai is strong, sweet and milky, with fresh ginger. Kadak Chai is made for this, and a Bun Maska gives you something to dunk.
- Kadak Chai, $4.49
- Bun Maska, $3.49
04
Recreate it in Ottawa
A wet Ottawa afternoon is a good excuse. Order a pair of samosas and a hot chai, and sit by a window if you can. If you would rather cook at home, our guide to making masala chai and our vada pav recipe are good places to start.
05
Find us
Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Questions, answered.
What do Indians eat when it rains?
Hot chai with fried snacks such as pakoras, samosas, kachoris and vada pav.
What snacks go with chai in the rain?
Anything hot and crisp: samosas, kachoris, vada pav, fries.
What is a pakora?
A fritter of vegetables dipped in spiced gram flour batter and deep-fried.
Does Tapri Chai have pakoras?
Not on the current menu, but our samosas, kachoris and vada pav are in the same family.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.