Lucknow’s best-kept secrets are found in the bylanes of Chowk and Aminabad! For instance, this nondescript shop in Aminabad by the name of Phool Chand, that is known for different varieties of saunf and other mouth fresheners. But hardly anyone knows it by its name. The shop is popularly known by its location – Masjid ke neeeche wali dukan! Ask the owner how old the shop is, and he replies simply, “Kam se kam 60-70 saal purani hai.” And everyone standing around him vouches for the fact.
WHAT
The shop has more than 10 varieties of saunfs and all kinds of suparis. Apart from the regular saunf, the slightly different flavours of mouth-fresheners to try are: Chocolatey, Khus Khus Mix and Supari Nariyal Mix. Our favourite though is the Gari Mix, with lots of coconut. You can also take home ingredients like dhaniya, grated coconut, meethi saunf and supari to make your own mouth-freshener mixture.
The suparis too are available in all shapes and sizes: whole, shredded, flavoured and more! You will also find some packaged churan (digestive candies) and candies here as well. Or aam papad and chikki. But those are not quite the USP of this shop. You will also find dried meetha paan, an excellent after-food breath freshener, that has become very popular in recent times.
Prices: Starts at Rs.20 for 100 gms
Timings: 11 am to 8.30 pm
Location: Under the Masjid opposite Gadbad Jhala, Aminabad, Lucknow
