Delhi with all its monuments, museums and sights is still incomplete without its famed street food. We attempt to take you through the maze of vegetarian street fin old Delhi where every stall at the corner of the street vying for your attention. We will take you to the best places to have the tastiest food you’ve had to make your trip to Delhi complete.
Name of Dish: Chole Bhature (Indian Snack)
What is it: Fried bread with spicy chick peas. Usually served with freshly cut onions, pickles and sliced lemons.
Where to Have it: Sitaram Diwanchand, Paharganj
Name of Dish: Dahi Bhalla (Side Dish)
What is it: Savory fritters submerged in thick yogurt topped with coriander and tamarind condiment. To add more flavor, they may be topped with coriander or mint leaves, various seasonings, shredded coconut, green chilis or boondi (tiny fried balls).
Where to Have it: Natraj Dahi Bhalle wala, Chandni Chowk
Image Credit: cakechooser
Name of Dish: Gol Gappe (Snacks)
What is it: Holowed Indian savoury bread which is served with an accompaniment of potatoes with seasoning and spiced minty water which can be stuffed inside and taken in a single bite. Most states will have a variant with changes in the stuffing and taste of the water and are known as various names such as Phuchka in the east and Pani Puri in the west.
Where to Have it: Across Old Delhi
Name of Dish: Aaloo Tikki Chaat (Side Dish)
What is it: Piping hot Potato fritters with a filling of cottage cheese/crushed lentils and assorted spices, topped with tamarind and coriander condiments.
Where to Have it: Natraj Dahi Bhalle wala, Chandni Chowk
Name of Dish: Stuffed Parantha (Indian Snack)
What is it: Whole Wheat unleavened flat bread stuffed with a filling of your choice. More popular fillings include potato, onions, cheese, cottage cheese and cauliflower.
Where to Have it: Kake Di Hatti, Chandni Chowk
Name of Dish: Rabri Falooda (Dessert)
What is it: Rabri is a sweet, condensed milk based dish made by boiling the milk on low heat for a long time until it becomes dense and changes its color to pinkish. Sugar, spices and nuts are added to it to give it flavor. Falooda is made by mixing rose syrup, vermicelli, psyllium (ispaghol) or basil (sabza/takmaria) seeds, tapioca pearls and pieces of gelatin with milk or water.
Where to Have it: Gianis, Chandni Chowk
Name of Dish: Shahi Tukda (Dessert)
What is it: A direct translation means pieces of Royalty which moreoless defines what to expect from it. A simple preparation includes a piece of bread being fried in clarified butter (Ghee) till it is crispy brown and then being dipped in Rabri (a sweet condensed milk based dish described above) and served chilled.
Where to Have it: Anywhere in Old Delhi
Do let us know if you’ve had a chance to sample any of these and at the places we’ve mentioned. Your experiences might help convince another foodie to give these gems a shot! If perhaps you’re perhaps headed toward Lucknow, you can try out our friend Sid’s recommendations for the best street food in Lucknow.