India Tourism tripadvisor

Street Food in Delhi

Delhi isn’t just the political capital of the country, but the food capital as well. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to street food in Delhi. The large-scale migration to the city has led to an influx of various types of cuisines that your taste buds delve into. If you’re looking to take a break from the usual fine-dining places, our list of the top places to indulge in street food in Delhi will keep you sorted. Displaying the chivalry of Indian history and ancient culture, Delhi is famous for one more happening aspect. Yes!! The national capital of India is a ‘foodie paradise’ owing to some delicate and spectacular street food in particular. Street food in Delhi is of course not a new buzz; the same has been recognised as one of the prime attractions in Delhi.

1. Aloo Tikki
Another ubiquitous Delhi Street food, these mashed potato patties with a thin, crisp golden crust, sometimes stuffed with spiced lentils or peas, and fried on a griddle typically comes topped with sweet and tangy tamarind chutney and a spicy mint and coriander chutney, sweetened curd, pomegranate and finely chopped onions. A delightful variation of the dish is one topped with a curried chickpeas, chutneys and a sprinkle of fresh coriander and green chilies. There are numerous stalls selling aloo tikki in Delhi, for some of the best ones try one of the outlets of Bittu Tikki Wala, or Prabhu Chaat Bhandaar in Khan Market.

2. Kachori Aloo
The khasta (crusty) kachoris stuffed with spiced lentil filling and served with a slightly runny, generously spiced curried potatoes, often deliciously tangy, with distinct flavour from asafoetida, and chutney, is a perennial favourite in this city, best savoured on cold winter mornings, but no less tasty any other time of the year. Your best bet is to head to the hoary quarters of old Delhi, where tucked in its narrow labyrinthine lanes are some of the city’s best kachori joints. A unanimous favourite is the JB Kachori Wala in the Chandni Chowk Area, but go only if you can handle heat. Their potato curry is notoriously spicy, plus they throw in some chopped, spice laced green chilies for good measure. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to stop at one, runny nose and teary eyes notwithstanding.

3. Parathas
Parathas, or stuffed parathas to be specific, are so intrinsically linked to eating out in Delhi that the city even has a street dedicated to their consumption. Gali Paranthe Wali (literally the “lane of parantha-makers”) is a narrow street off Chandni Chowk noted for its parantha makers. The street was originally established in 1650 as a silverware market, and it wasn’t until the 1870’s that the paratha shops moved in, the first being Pandit Gaya Prasad Paranthewala in 1872. Some of those originals still remain, such as Kanhaiyalal Durgaprasad Dixit (est. 1875), Pt Dayanand Shivcharan (est 1882) and Pt Baburam Devidayal Paranthewale (est. 1886) and are being run by the sixth generation of the same family. For those that are unacquainted with paranthas, they are a type of Indian flatbread, normally fried in desi ghee and stuffed with anything from vegetables to besan methi. These are then served with a sweet side such as chutney or potato curry.

4. Rajma Chawal
The quintessential Punjabi meal – steamed rice, a pristine white, the grains fluffy, sometimes tempered with cumin, served with a generous helping of curried kidney beans in spicy, velvety gravy – it is a must try when you’re in Delhi. Of course, most restaurants serving Indian food has it on their menu, but it’s quite another thing savouring a plate of rajma chawal on the streets. One of the most famous stops for rajma chawal is the modest Parashar Food Stall in Connaught Place. The rajma chawal is served with cold boondi raita, pickles and papad, and make for an inexpensive but delicious meal.

5. Bhelpuri
Bhel puri may not seem all that appetising at first glance. The vendor stands behind his stall, picking disparate ingredients from dozens of different pots and mixing them all together in wide stirring motions in a large, metal mixing bowl; puffed rice, sev, vegetables (potatoes, onions, cucumber), chat masala, tomatoes and fruits all stirred with a spicy tamarind sauce before being heaped onto a plate. This brown mix of spicy and sweet, crisp and soft shouldn’t be pleasing to the palate, but it quickly became my favourite Indian street food.

6. Pani Puri
As you wander the streets of Delhi, you will see carts stacked high with puri, a hollow, spherical crisp that is then filled chutneys, chaats and yoghurts. Eating pani puri can be a difficult undertaking for non-Indians. The idea is to take the full, oozing ball into your mouth in one go without spilling its contents down both your chin and t-shirt, which I certainly didn’t manage to do.

7. Samosas
Pretty much everyone is familiar with samosas, the little fried savoury triangles with spiced fillings, however, what I wasn’t prepared for was the sheer variety of them on offer in Delhi; Paneer samosa, japani samosa, kachori style samosas, and even keema samosas. I found them to be larger and fatter than the ones we are used to at home, and they often come served with a small bowl of spicy sauce or a mint chutney.

8. Poa Bhaji
A dish that’s more synonymous with Mumbai than Delhi, it is still incredibly popular on the streets of India’s capital city. the bowl of brown mush may not be much to look at, but behind its sloppy veneer is a tantalising mix of sour, spicy and buttery tastes. Pao (or ‘pav’ and ‘pau’ as it is sometimes known) is the Portuguese word for bread and refers to the rolls that are often griddled with substantial amounts of ghee. The bhaji part of the name is the vegetables; a mix of anything that could include cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, green peas and potatoes that are cooked with onions, tomatoes and a mix of spices before being beaten to a pulp with a potato masher. While that might not sound appetising, it is one of the best dishes you will eat in the whole of Delhi.

9. Poori Aloo
Although looks similar to bhature, it is a different traditional dish. It is served with fried bun of wheat and served with potato curry. Best places to enjoy this dish are Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh market.

10. Biryani
A favourite of the Mughal Emperors, the Biryani has stood the test of time and is today enjoyed all over India. This poultry or meat based dish is prepared in an earthen pot and the lid is sealed with dough so that the spices, flavours and aromas are soaked in. The Biryani experiences in Delhi vary from the commercial chains and road side dhabas, to the Sufi shrines and five-star hotels.

11. Momos
This one bags the prize for being one of the most popular snacks, be it in office complexes, birthdays or even cocktail parties. It is not uncommon to find vendors outside almost every office building, housing area and market place selling Momos. These tasty dumplings are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and are enjoyed with the fiery-red sauce.

12. Chole Bhature
The first place that comes to our minds after coming across the above dish is Delhi. Delhi is the apt place to get a taste from. Perhaps, the best street food in Delhi; this dish is known for its fluffy Bhature and an appetizing Chole. There is a special chutney that these vendors tend to offer which makes it even better.

Travel Information of Delhi

Delhi is very well connected to most important cities of the world by international flights and important cities of India are connected by domestic flights as well as by road through national highways and by vast net-work of railways. Delhi is known for its many ancient monuments like the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, temples like the ISKCON Temple and Akshardham among others. Other than that, the city is also home to many beautiful parks and gardens, museums, galleries and cultural centres. Delhi is India's main entry point for overseas visitors. Delhi is well connected, making it easy for the overseas tourist to reach Delhi by air, rail or road.

whatsapp