India is a country known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse culinary delights. Among these, street food holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Not only is it delicious and varied but also very affordable.
One cannot talk about Indian street food without mentioning Mumbai’s Vada Pav stalls. This humble burger-like snack consists of a spicy potato filling sandwiched between two soft buns, served with tangy chutneys. The best places to try this local favorite are Ashok Vada Pav stall in Prabhadevi or Anand Stall near Mithibai College.
Delhi, the capital city of India, is another haven for street food lovers. Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi is famous for its wide array of stuffed parathas (Indian bread). Stuffed with everything from potatoes to paneer (cottage cheese), these parathas are crispy on the outside yet soft inside and served with curd and pickles.
In Kolkata, Puchka stands reign supreme among street food aficionados. Known as Panipuri in other parts of India, this mouth-watering delicacy comprises hollow puris filled with tamarind water, chickpeas and spices that explode with flavor upon biting into them. Head over to Vivekananda Park where vendors serve some of the best Puchkas in town.
The southern part of India boasts equally tantalizing street foods at budget-friendly prices. Bangalore’s VV Puram Food Street offers an array of South Indian snacks such as dosa (rice pancake) or idli (steamed rice cake) served hot off the stove along with coconut chutney or sambar (lentil soup).
Moving westwards towards Rajasthan brings us to Jaipur’s Masala Chowk – an open-air food court offering all kinds of Rajasthani treats like Dal Baati Churma (lentil soup with hard wheat rolls and sweet crumble), Ghevar (a disc-shaped sweet cake), and Mirchi Bada (chili fritters).
In Gujarat, the street food scene is dominated by stalls selling Dhokla – a fluffy steamed snack made from fermented rice batter, served with tangy green chutney. Das Khaman in Ahmedabad is a popular spot to enjoy this regional delicacy.
Lastly, one cannot forget Lucknow’s Tunday Kababi serving melt-in-your-mouth Galawati kebabs since 1905. Made from finely ground meat, raw papaya paste and over 150 different spices, these kebabs are truly an experience not to be missed.
Each of these street food stalls offers a unique taste of India’s culinary diversity at pocket-friendly prices. From Mumbai’s Vada Pav to Kolkata’s Puchka; Delhi’s Paranthe Wali Gali to Bangalore’s dosas; Jaipur’s Masala Chowk delights to Ahmedabad’s Dhoklas and Lucknow’s legendary kebabs – the variety is endless. Street food in India is not just about eating; it’s about experiencing the country’s rich culture through its vibrant flavors.