Sweet, Spicy, Sour Delhi

The Tastes Relished by a Delhi's Belly

It's winter in Delhi; a thick fog conceals the city. Well, the glimpse of the city can be misguided from the plane. Beneath the fog the crispy air is tickling the bone of the Delhites and they aren't staying back at home. The noon sun shoots a ray of hope and the weather turns out to be pleasant and balmy, inviting several flights to Delhifrom UK. It's not only the markets, malls or the food court that starts filling up with shoppers and with hungry hulks, but an army of foodies jumble up at several corners of the city for some colourful and appetizing street food.

Spotting a shabby vendor is rather gratifying as he's the only one to pamper your hunger. It's rather baffling to figure out what goes in your mouth first. Delhi's street food is all about taste and colour. It totally depends on what you like. We have narrowed down a few things to ease it out for you:

It's Hot and Spicy

Winter is surely the raw ideal time for some city excursion and for nibbling incredible, mouth watering street food. Right from the pot to the plate, the tikki or the samosa will definitely be piping hot. Wait until the red and green chutney acts as an icing to the snack. Make sure you break it into two and drool over the aromatic stream that hits your nostrils. You cannot wait another second to feed your starving taste buds.

Where to Eat: Bishan Swaroop Chaat Corner

Address: 1421 Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi

Famous for: A Variety of Chaats

Have a Sweet-tooth?

Shun the guilty for your feeble calories these delicacies bring in, just hold your chin high up and pledge to dust it off after you're done sampling the most heavenly, oil-drenched gajar ka halwa, the savoury kachoris or even the amusing jalebis. Irresistible aren't they? However, these are not simply street foods. With one bite you are unified with the history and culture of Delhi. Eating out on the Delhi streets is much more than an experience, it's a crash course!

Where to Eat: Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala

Address: 1104, Maliwara, Jogiwari, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.

Famous for: Best Kachodis in Delhi

Street Food goes way back

No doubt, the street food scene shares the soil with several iconic landmarks that too, bear historical marks. Each and everything from the red-stoned forts, marble tombs and minars echo the names of various rulers and invaders who have left an interesting legacy not only over Delhi, but on the entire continent of India. All of them have left a stunning aroma of their signature dishes behind. With Delhi flights from London you can taste all. 

What's Delhi without these?

Let's narrow it down. For instance, you'll see fried balls of dough, most commonly known as gol gappa in North India, filled with spicy savoury water and diced boiled peas or potatoes being gobbled by people of every size and status. If you move from Delhi towards Lucknow, the same snack is known as 'batashas' (a bubble) and again if you travel down towards Central India towards Mumbai, you'll get to know them as 'pani puri'.

At one time, street food was scattered all over the city, but several food courts and luxurious malls have endeavoured to bring together the highlights of the street food right from kachoris to kebabs. Though the efficient network of Delhi Metro makes travelling from one end of the city to the other quite easy, but to taste the real thing one needs to be out on the streets.

Where to Eat: Pt. Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan Paranthe Wale

Address: Shop 1797, Dariba Kalan Road, Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi

Famous for: Parathas

The Oil Sizzles

Street food began primarily from Old Delhi, basically around the areas of Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar. The place is heavily crowded, and with a little push you can make your way towards the vendors and their stalls. What Old Delhi mainly demands, that you shop and eat. That's the beauty!

Craving for something more meaty? Ustad Moinuddin in Chawri Bazaar offers royal dishes that have been luring food lovers since decades. Anybody's got a sweet-tooth? So now, let the dessert follow your meal. There's nothing like ending a heavenly meal with a sweet dish and nothing beats the rabri faluda or the spongy gulab jamuns. Amazing food, great history and impressive culture - all in one box.

Where to Eat: Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwale

Address: Chawri Bazar, 1165-66 Sitaram Bazar Road (it's the first shop upon entering Sitaram Bazar Road), Kucha Pati Ram, Old Delhi

Hail! The Street Food of Delhi

Despite it's outlandish combination of comestible delights, the street-side snacks do face tremendous competition from upstart 'trinity' rivals that comprises of masala dosa, momos and chowmein and not to forget the many fast food chains that provide quick and tasty bites. However, no tourist claims to have seen Delhi without relishing street food, one of the features that brings in flights from London to Delhi.