Explosive flavours come together on the streets of India’s capital to create a roadside menu that lures food enthusiasts, says Delhi-based writer Punita Malhotra.
Shaped by centuries of trade, migration and conquest, Delhi‘s street-food scene is rooted in an intricate network of eclectic communities. From the Mughals’ aromatic spices to the Marwaris’ vegetarian delights, the city’s roadside restaurants and street-food stalls tell stories from across the ages. Underpinning it all is a deep passion for good food that’s integral to the city’s heritage. A self-styled epicurean adventure may seem overwhelming to plan at first. But travelling on a specialist food trip or small-group adventure often makes the prospect of trying these dishes a lot less intimidating and a lot more informative – especially when steered by a local leader. For an insider take on the best street-food dishes to try, look no further.
1. Aloo tikki
This mashed-potato patty is cooked on large flat tawas (griddles) by Delhi’s street-food vendors and served with coriander, mint and tamarind chutney. Finely sliced onions and pomegranate are often added for flavour and texture. Now a favoured north Indian snack, they actually don’t actually originate in India – but were introduced to the subcontinent by Portuguese traders and sailors during the early 17th century.
2. Chole bhature
Indulge in a plate of spicy chickpeas garnished with green chillies, crisp sliced onions and zesty lime. As it’s name suggests, this dish is served with bhature: a deep-fried, puffed-up bread. The slow-cooked chole have a deep, subtle flavour, while the bhature brings a delicious crunch.
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3. Parathas
This crispy golden-brown flatbread comes as is or filled with warmed mashed potatoes, cauliflower or minced meat. While you wait for your order, you can often watch the precision with which dough is kneaded and rolled out into thin circles before being pan-fried in hot oil or ghee, before you taste layers of flaky perfection. The ultimate spot for this staple treat is the historic Paranthe Wali Gali – a narrow street in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market.
4. Golgappa
Brace for a surprise as you pop these crispy, hallow, puffy puri shells into your mouth. A vendor will swiftly assemble the crispy shell with potato or chickpeas, dip it in the tangy water and pass it to you in a small bowl. Eat the whole thing in one go so you can enjoy the fun of the shell cracking and different flavours and textures bursting in your mouth.
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5. Kababs
It’s near impossible to miss the smell of tender pieces of meat, expertly marinated and skewered, grilling on an open flame. From minced-mutton seekh kababs and smoky chicken boti kababs to veggie options like paneer tikka and green, patty-like hara bhara kababs, there’s something for everyone. They’re often accompanied by a refreshing mint chutney and crunchy onion slivers. If you’re short on time, paneer tikka is one of the dishes you can try on a nine-stop-hop, street-food tour with Urban Adventures, that covers a lot of ground – and food – in only three hours.
6. Dahi bhalla
Beat the Delhi heat with this popular summer snack. Crispy on the outside and soft within, these round fried lentil flour balls are doused in velvety yoghurt to create a blend of cool, creamy and crunchy combination, served with tangy tamarind and juicy pomegranate seeds.
7. Bedmi aloo with nagori halwa
Bedmi aloo is a savoury flatbread made with wholewheat flour and a spiced lentil and potato filling. It is served with nagori halwa, a decadent dessert of semolina, ghee and a generous sprinkle of chopped nuts.
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8. Jalebi
Watching these pretzel-shaped Indian sweets being made is fun. The batter – a mixture of fermented all-purpose flour and yoghurt – is skilfully piped directly into scalding oil to create twisty shapes. Then, the jalebis are cooked until crisp, pulled out of the oil and finally soaked in a cardamom sugar syrup. The result is a chewy, crumbly texture that gives way to a soft, spongy interior.
9. Kulfi
You can’t leave Delhi without enjoying this ancient version of ice cream. The much-loved frozen dessert is made by simmering milk for hours with sugar, cardamom and saffron (and sometimes nuts) until it transforms into a thick, creamy concoction. The mixture is then frozen in moulds. You can have it straight up or try it with different toppings. On the first night of Intrepid’s small-group food adventure in India, you’ll try kulfi falooda at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, before sampling the food culture of Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur and finishing in Goa, giving you a rounded view of India’s contrasting culinary culture, from north to south.
Sample the best of India on an locally led small-group adventure with Intrepid.
