{{Short description|Deep-fried fritters served as fast food in India, Pakistan and the Caribbean}} {{see also|Pakora}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}} {{other uses}}
{{Infobox prepared food | name = Bhaji | image = Stuffed mirchi bajji (16164286908).jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Stuffed mirchi (chilli) bhaji in an Indian restaurant | alternate_name = Bhaji, bajji, onion bhaji, bhajia (Gujarati) | country = India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh | region =Indian subcontinent | type = Fritter | served = hot | main_ingredient = Gram flour, vegetables | variations = | calories = | other = | similar_dish = Pakora and other fritters made from wheat or corn flour }}
A '''bhaji''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑː|.|dʒ|i}}, also spelt '''bajji''' or '''bhajee''') is a type of fritter originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is made from spicy hot vegetables, commonly onion, and has several variants.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Cloake |first1=Felicity |author-link=Felicity Cloake |title=How to make the perfect onion bhajis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/nov/13/how-to-make-perfect-onion-bhajis |access-date=26 November 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=13 November 2013}}</ref> It is a popular snack food in India and is also very popular in Bangladesh. It can be found for sale in street-side stalls, especially in ''tapris'' (on streets) and ''dhabas'' (on highways). It is a common starter in Indian restaurant cuisine across the United Kingdom.
== Regional varieties == Outside Southern and Western India, such preparations are often known as ''pakora''. Bhajis can be made with chili, potato, onion, plantain, or bread. Regional versions include the potato-based ''bonda'' (in South India),<ref>{{cite web |title=Take pride in the bonda or pakora. It is our gift to the world |website=Hindustan Times |date=18 April 2015 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/take-pride-in-the-bonda-or-pakora-it-is-our-gift-to-the-world/story-khxwM10l0NT8HLZ8ik9G7I.html |access-date=9 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gupta |first=Chef Niru |title=10 Best Karnataka (Kannada) Recipes |website=food.ndtv.com |date=1 February 2016 |url=http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-karnataka-kannada-recipes-1275758 |access-date=9 January 2017}}</ref> ''vada''<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zXHVH-hqVE4C&pg=PA294 |title=Basic Food Preparation |edition=3rd |editor=Usha Raina |display-editors=etal |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=2001 |isbn=978-8125023005 |pages=294–295 }}</ref> (originally with potato, in Maharashtra<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep82007/metrosat2007090724008.asp Deccan Herald: ''Bole to yeh vada pav hai!''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011201121/http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep82007/metrosat2007090724008.asp |date=October 11, 2008 }}</ref>) and ''gota'' (in Gujarat), made with green fenugreek leaves.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Praveen |title=Methi Na Gota |url=https://www.awesomecuisine.com/recipes/16239/methi-na-gota/ |website=Awesome Cuisine |date=15 January 2023}}</ref>
== Cultural significance == Bhajis are a component of traditional Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Kerala, and Telugu cuisines served on special occasions and at festivals. They are generally served with a cup of coffee, tea, or a traditional serving of ''yameen''. Banana peppers are used for making mirchi bhajji.
Onion bhajis are often eaten as a starter in Indian restaurants in the United Kingdom before the main course, along with ''poppadoms'' and other Indian snacks. They may be served with a side of salad and a slice of lemon, or with mango chutney, and are traditionally made to a mild taste.<ref name="Guardian"/> The Guinness World Record for the largest onion bhaji is held by one weighing {{convert|175.48|kg|lboz|frac=4}} made by Oli Khan and Team of Surma Takeaway Stevenage on 4 February 2020.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite web |title=Largest onion bhaji |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-onion-bhaji |access-date=11 March 2021 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=180 heights=180> File:Banana Peppers.jpg|Banana pepper used in mirchi bhaji File:A closeup of Bajji.JPG|Bhaji File:The Bajji maker.jpg|Preparing bhajis in South India File:Bajji's ;) (5549256969).jpg|Aloo bhaji File:Onion bajji picture.JPG|Onion bhaji File:कांदा भजी.jpg|Kanda bhaji </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commonscat-inline|Bhaji}}
{{Indian Dishes}} {{Doughnuts}}
Category:Hors d'oeuvres Category:Indian snack foods Category:Pakistani snack foods Category:Fritters Category:Tamil cuisine Category:Onion-based foods