6 food podcasts that will leave you hungry for more

While one may question the appeal of food podcasts where one can’t see or taste the food being talked about, they continue to be savoured the world over. The reason? Easy-going hosts who are passionate about the subject, dynamic guests who bring a fresh perspective, and delicious content that the listeners can relate to. Food podcasts are an excellent source of escapism, and inspiration—the six on our list are proof. From answering all your burning (pun intended!) questions to dipping into the business side of things, these podcasts do it all. 

You’ve been warned: come armed with snacks.

Getting LOST with Archit and Shirin

By Archit Agarwal and Shirin Rai Gupta
Our favourite episode: Practice what you(r grandparents) preach!

Archit Agarwal, who’s a marketer by day and a food blogger by night, joins forces with his friend Shirin Rai Gupta to talk about everything to do with food—their favourite ingredients, heirloom recipes, techniques that make life easier, and lessons from trials in the kitchen. The podcast acts as an extension of Agarwal’s popular blog Life Of Simple Treats (LOST).  In each episode, Agarwal and Gupta choose a topic—think monsoon snacks, salads, eggless desserts, and dive deep to understand the science, history and everyday connection behind it. Since both are self-proclaimed amateur cooks, it’s refreshing to hear about goof-ups in the kitchen and how to fix them—anyone will relate with accidentally burning butter or salting their pasta water so vigorously the final dish is rendered inedible.
 

Bad Table Manners 

By Whetstone Radio Collective
Our favourite episode: The Juice of Mango Clichés

Conceptualised by Whetstone Radio Collective, Bad Table Manners is a podcast that tells stories of South Asian food through a socio-political and cultural lens. Hosted by Delhi-based anthropologist Meher Verma, the podcast’s main aim is to deconstruct the stereotypes of Indian food by bringing to the fore important contexts of local communities. Despite its complex themes, Bad Table Manners maintains a playful tone that casual listeners will love tuning in to. Expect episodes on everything from an analysis of the restaurant industry in Delhi and Mumbai to a thorough conversation on the ways partition has impacted Indian cuisine. We especially enjoyed the episode on mangoes that brought together different experts to talk about the correct way to eat the fruit, its colonial legacy, and an interview with a ‘Mango Obsessive’.
 

Naan Curry with Sadaf & Archit

By Sadaf Hussain and Archit Puri
Our favourite episode: Halwa ka Jalwa

Ever wondered how many types of biryani exist in India? Or what ties Jawaharlal Nehru, partition and India’s love for butter chicken? Naan Curry is here to answer all your questions. Tackling one dish or ingredient at a time, the podcast explores the rich history and heritage of India in a fun, tongue-in-the-cheek voice. Leading the conversation are Sadaf Hussain, chef, author and MasterChef India finalist and his friend Archit Puri, who’s an economics and behavioural science researcher. Both tap into their professions to bring well-rounded discussions that give a historical and economic perspective and are peppered generously with exciting anecdotes. In their archive you’ll find episodes on the country’s favourite biscuit Parle G, the beloved achaar, a debate on whether dalda is ghee and more. 
 

This Round Is On Me

By Gauri Devi Dayal
Our favourite episode: Continuing a Legacy Business ft. Swati Snacks

If you’re more interested in the entrepreneurial side of food, then tune into This Round Is On Me on your next long drive. Gauri Devi Dayal, a partner at Food Matters India and one of the brains behind iconic restaurants like The Table, Magazine St. Kitchen and Miss T, is the perfect host with years of experience as an F&B entrepreneur under her belt. The podcast gives you an insightful peek into the business of food and brings a myriad range of viewpoints through motley of guests–from chefs and food writers to restaurateurs. Don’t miss the episode with Genelia and Ritiesh Deshmukh where the duo reveals their journey of going vegan and their venture Imagine Meats.
 

Recipe Club 

By David Chang and Chris Ying
Our favourite episode: Yogurt 

Chef Dave Chang of Momofuko fame, along with Chris Ying, former editor-in-chief of the now defunct Lucky Peach magazine, runs the show in the thoroughly entertaining podcast Recipe Club. Each week, Chang and Ying are joined by a rotation of special guests who prepare, eat and discuss a star ingredient and then chew over how to cook it right plus ways to make it tastier. Currently in its second season, the podcast that was born in the pandemic year of 2020 has featured staples like rice and eggs to dishes spanning spaghetti, brownies and hummus through the two years of its running. Our pick is the one on yogurt that spills the tea on skyr (Iceland’s version of the dairy product) and shares an ingenious family recipe for yogurt tortillas.
 

Borderline Salty 

By Rick Martinez and Carla Lalli Music 
Our favourite episode: Ruminate on Rice 

What would happen if a cooking hotline and a new-age podcast walked into a bar? Borderline Salty answers that question for you. In the podcast that launched in April 2022, Carla Lalli Music, chef and cookbook author joins ex-Bon Appetit colleague Rick Martinez, chef and author of Mi Cocina, on a delicious mission to make you a better cook. If you want to know how to cook for one, are hunting for vegan recipe recommendations, or need a solution that will fix your sinking cakes, Music and Martinez are here to help. Armed with years of experience both cooking in professional kitchens and then as recipe developers, both liberally dole out advice to hone your culinary skills, overcome food fears and make recipes work for you. They also share their take on the latest food trends doing the rounds of the Internet, like the viral custard toast, for instance. 
 

All podcasts are available to stream on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.