Indian street food
Samosa vs kachori.
Samosas are triangular and filled with spiced potato and peas. Kachoris are round, puffier and flakier, with fillings such as onion or lentils. Both are deep-fried and best eaten hot with chai.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Samosa shape
Triangle
Kachori shape
Round, puffed
Samosa filling
Potato and peas
Kachori filling
Onion or lentil
01
The shell
A samosa has a thin, crisp, often blistered shell made from refined flour dough rolled thin and folded into a cone. A kachori shell is thicker, rounder and flakier, because the dough is rolled and sealed around a filling and fried slowly so it puffs.
That difference is the one you feel with your first bite: crunchy shatter against flaky crumble.
02
The filling
The classic samosa filling is potato and green peas, spiced with cumin, coriander, ginger and chilli. Kachoris vary more. Pyaaz kachori is stuffed with a spiced onion mixture, and others use lentils, peas or a dry spiced mix, depending on the region.
03
Where they come from
Samosas are eaten across India and far beyond, and are a staple at tea stalls and sweet shops. Pyaaz kachori is closely associated with Rajasthan, where it is a famous snack of Jodhpur and Jaipur, though kachoris are made in many states.
04
How to eat them
Both are best hot, with chutney, and both are frequently turned into chaat:
- Plain, with green and tamarind chutney.
- Crushed into samosa chaat with yogurt and chutneys.
- Alongside a cup of strong chai.
05
At Tapri Chai
You can try both in our From the Fryer section: Samosas (x2) at $4.99 are golden pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas, and Pyaz Kachori (x2) at $7.99 are crispy fried pastries filled with spicy onion. We also make Samosa Chaat ($12.99). The cafe is at 200 Kennevale Dr in Barrhaven, Ottawa.
Questions, answered.
What is the main difference between samosa and kachori?
Shape and shell: samosas are triangular with a thin crisp shell, kachoris are round with a thicker, flakier one. Fillings differ too.
Is kachori healthier than samosa?
Both are deep-fried snacks, so neither is a light option. Enjoy them as a treat.
What is pyaaz kachori?
A kachori filled with spiced onion, closely associated with Rajasthan.
Are samosas vegetarian?
The classic potato and pea samosa is vegetarian, and so is every item at Tapri Chai.
How much are samosas at Tapri Chai?
A pair of Samosas is $4.99 CAD, and a pair of Pyaz Kachori is $7.99 CAD.
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.