Street Food of Delhi is a fanciful affair. Whimsy bites of delicate snacks compete with an exorbitant array of plates loaded with appetizing carbohydrates. Following is a guide through this amazing street foods chow carnival to make you fall in love with this exciting city.
16 Best Street Foods You Must Try Out in Delhi
1. Chhole Kulche
Walk around Delhi, and one soon realizes that not spotting a street foods stall selling piping hot plates of Chhole within minutes is next to impossible. This spicy Indian rendition of white chickpeas is wildly popular in the state capital. Pair it with hot, fluffy flatbreads called “Kulche,” and you have just found yourself a fulfilling piece of food heaven.
2. Kachori
If you are craving zingy bites of instant happiness, Kachori is just the item for you. It is flaky, crunchy on the outside, and has every conceivable pleasant flavor on the inside. Lanes of Delhi house innumerable Kachori stalls, each having its own special chutney that brings out a distinct flavour of this delightful snack.
3. Fruit Chaat
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of its name; Delhi’s Fruit Chaat, also known as Kulle Chaat, has a whimsical surprise. Along with other fruits such as pineapple, banana, and apple, this plate of goodness also features diced potatoes sweetly roasted over ghee. What makes this eccentric assortment shine is the perfect seasoning of black chaat masala, cumin powder, and powdered pomegranate seeds.
4. Chhole Bhature
Continuing the journey on Carbs Express, Chhole Bhature is a mandatory halt. While the amalgamation of flavours in Chhole works amazingly with Kulche, Bhatura is its deep-fried counterpart that is definitely worth trying. Yogurt in the Bhatura dough gives it a puffy, smooth texture that adds endless points to the Chhole yum-meter.
5. Chhole Chawal
As though a variety of bread wasn’t sufficient, Delhi vendors have paired this lip-smacking wholesomeness with freshly cooked rice. The result? A steamy, saucy affair that you won’t forget for hours after the last mouthful.
6. Rajma Chawal
It would be plain criminal to exclude this cult of a dish from a list of foods to try in Delhi. Rajma Chawal is basically a spicy kidney beans gravy cuddled with a steaming pile of fragrant rice. Served with a sharp green chutney, finely chopped onions, and crisply roasted papad, this dish has crazed Delhiites for years.
7. Aloo Tikki
Essentially translated as “potato patty,” this dish is a local street food favourite. Aloo Tikki has a crispy, golden-brown exterior and is full of spicy bombs of flavour on the inside. It is typically served with a sweet and sour tamarind chutney that will keep you coming back for more.
8. Jalebi
A dessert that is thoroughly enjoyed as a snack, Jalebi is the ambitious progeny of the culinary world. Gram flour and sugar syrup come together to form this delectable ghee-laden confection. Its luxurious golden colour makes Jalebi a drool-worthy eye candy. Grab a few, and your mouth shall readily agree.
9. Ram Laddoo
When ordering Ram Laddoos, you are in for a namkeen surprise if you expect a sweet dish. Ram Laddoos are mung bean fritters, or “moong dal ke pakora,” deep-fried into a crisp golden colour and served with grated radish and hot green chutney. This dish is also famously and lovingly paired with a piping cup of chai, especially when the weather demands it.
10. Desi Burger
As the name suggests, this dish is the Indian rendition of an American burger. Zingy aloo tikkis sandwiched together in buns toasted on a tawa (griddle), with juicy tomatoes, soothing cucumbers, and a sweet-and-spicy chutney, the Desi Burger enjoys a massive fan-following across Delhi.
11. Kebabs
A food adventure on the streets of Delhi is incomplete without venturing into the meaty paradise of kebabs. Succulent pieces of meat, may it be chicken, lamb, or goat, are seasoned to perfection and served with onions and chutney. Drizzles of lemon and occasionally butter add that extra punch and leave you craving for more.
12. Parathas
A portion of quintessential breakfast food in North Delhi, stuffed parathas generously layered with butter are an absolute must-try. While potato is the most popular stuffing, quirky ones such as Pizza Paratha with cheese and veggie stuffing, Sharabi Paratha with dry fruits soaked in alcohol overnight are also inviting adventurous foodies for a mighty bite. Visit the Parathe Wali Gali in Delhi for a tasty treat!
13. Shakarkandi Chaat
After an extravagant culinary parade, Shakarkandi Chaat will take care of your stomach. Shakarkandi, or sweet potato, not only makes for a healthy tidbit but is surprisingly tasty when seasoned just right, and Delhiites know the correct recipe. Rock salt, powdered cumin, chaat masala, chilli powder, and lemon juice together work their magic to bring out the natural sweetness of peeled and cubed sweet potatoes.
14. Momos
Is there anything more inviting than a hot plate of steamed momos, or dumplings, served alongside a zealous, red chutney? Delhi has an abundance of Momo stalls that specialize in both steamed and fried momos. But that’s not all. What calls out to people is the colossal diversity of chutneys that dares you to test your tolerance for heat.
15. Aloo Puri
Another favorite street food of Delhi, Aloo Puri, is a dish that flaunts tongue-tickling flavors and a highly appetizing aroma. Puri is a variety of deep-fried Indian bread with a light, crunchy texture married to a boastfully flavorsome aloo ki sabzi. The sabzi features condiments such as amchur powder and garam masala, making Aloo Puri a combination that enthralls your tastebuds.
16. Daulat Ki Chaat
A flawless winter treat, Daulat Ki Chaat is a sweet concoction of velvety smooth milk and cream. What makes this dish special is milk churned for lengthy hours, which is then set overnight at a cool temperature. This light-as-air delicacy is then topped with the elegance of saffron and nuts along with nectarous khoya.
Thus, the street food of Delhi boasts an absolute food parade that you should unquestionably participate in if you are looking for a wild culinary adventure.
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