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“Main toh raste se ja raha tha, main toh bhel puri kha raha tha”, you know what is the best thing about this 90’s track, it depicts the typical Indian situation. We do not need a reason to hang out at the roadside bhel puri-waala or galgappe-waala. Whether it’s a sutta break while working in office, or waiting for friends at the momos-waala-bhaiya before tuitions, we just can’t resist the urge of digging into these not-so healthy, yet so-scrumptious roadside delights!
Can you imagine strolling through Park street in Kolkata without having the lip-smacking ‘puchkas/golgappe’ or walking through the crowded lanes of Mumbai without grabbing a Vada Pav? When it comes to street food, India is one proud nation where every state – every city has its own specialty. Our wide varieties of scrumptious, quick and cheap street food are known for giving hunger pangs.
So if your mouth has started watering already, we would advise you to hold on your taste buds, get something from the fridge (for time being) as our list will certainly set your tummy on a roll. So come with us as we intend to take you on a delicious journey beginning from the North to the South, and give you the ‘Zaayka’ of Real India.
1. ‘Lakhanpur de Bhalle’, a spicy treat to kill the heat
Apart from dusty roads and numerous trucks waiting for their clearances there is something else that makes Lakhanpur – the entry point to the state of Jammu & Kashmir known among the masses – ‘Bhalle’. A fried snack made from pulses which are best served with shredded radish and green chutney.
The slight spicy and tangy aroma of this local feast begins accumulating in your nose as soon as you enter this place.Several Bhalle stalls line on the sides of the road day and night. Just the sight of vendors carrying this mouthwatering delicacy is enough for people to forget everything about street eating stigma and dig into these small bundles of joy.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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2. Chhole Bhature, tummy-licious Punjabi cuisine
If its bread and butter in English then we have our own desi version of ‘Chhole bhature’.This lip smacking Punjabi cuisine is a staple breakfast in majority of Punjabi Households. Mouthwatering green peas cooked in traditional Punjabi spices and curry along with fried bread is enough to salivate your taste buds.
Initially a street food rampant in the streets of Amritsar this luscious street food is now readily available almost everywhere in India. But if you wish to get the taste of real Punjab then take a trip through narrow colorful streets of Amritsar and order a plate of this bombastic combo of Chhole Bhature.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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3. Aloo Tikki, crunchy roadside re-treat
If you always thought that this simple roadside feast was a gift of Delhi to rest of the country then this might be a bolt for you. Aaloo tikki is a delicacy of city of nawabs ’Lucknow’. Owing to its popularity every city has now made its own versions of this exotic cuisine. In Mumbai this is Ragda Pattice while in Delhi it is often confused with aaloo chat.
Well famed for its wide range of non-vegetarian cuisines, Lucknow, offers a delight to the veggie lovers in the form of these small puffed mashed potatoes ‘Aaloo Tikki’ well served with spicy green peas curry and sweet – sour chutneys.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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4. Tunde Kabab, a boastful treat of the rich Awadh culture
Kebab is the most relished non vegetarian cooking of Lucknow, tunde kebab are however the favorites. Exceptionally soft and succulent till the core is what makes these kebabs an all-time beloveds. Haji Murad Ali, the creator of this authentic cuisine had only one hand and hence the name Tunday as in Hindi a person with one hand is called Tunde.
A chef with one hand, a culinary made to fulfill the dying wish of a toothless royal…a dramatic story indeed!
Highlights: Non -Vegetarian
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5. Litti Chokha, a dish that talks about simplicity
Litti Chokha is the Bihari version of Dal Batti of Rajasthan. What makes this dish unique from the rest is that, this love of Bihar is one of the traditional cuisines that can be eaten as breakfast, lunch as well as dinner.A spicy curry or chokha made from brinjal or mashed potato is served with Litti or bread made from grams.
An amazingly mouthwatering cuisine is well enjoyed with a spoonful of ghee. This exotic cuisine has gradually made its way from the streets of Patna to all over India.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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6. Momos, the king of street food
There is no second opinion about why momos are one of the best Indian street food. A migratory food, however, momos is native to Tibet and Nepal. A spicy roadside cuisine, this is one food item that has escalated from roadside stalls to food centers and food courts in all hot-shot Malls
Tangy spicy red sauce and steaming hot dumplings loaded with veggies or chicken is something that we just cannot resist while walking past the stall on road
Highlights: Vegetarian/ Non-Vegetarian
7. Puchka, scrumptious little bombs
Puchka are the Bengali versions of Golgappe or Paani Puri. Whatever the name be, but there is certainly no better alternative to beat the heat than these little tangy-minty delights. We lost ourselves drooling while watching Kangana make these mouthwatering feasts in Queen as well.
The best Puchkas are the ones served on the roadsides. No matter how choosy one gets about food but when it comes to these spicy delights almost every day finds it difficult to resist themselves.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
8. Chaat, A colorful fusion of taste
Can you believe that this excessively common street food originated right from Shah Jahan’s kitchen? Yes, the Mughals too had a slight inclination to the sweet & sour world. A North Indian Cuisine, chaat has evolved to various new forms – Dahi Puri, Bhel puri, Paani puri can be thus considered as cousins of this tangy treat.
Well whether it’s the crispy combo or the mouthwatering blend of sweet & sour, we certainly are in love with this colorful fusion of tastes.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
9. Chow Mein, There is nothing better than Indian ‘Chauuu-Min’
Chow mein, is one dish that actually made street food all the more popular in India. There was a time in 90’s when every next food stall had lines of people waiting for scoops of these noodles on their plate.
Hot red noodles getting tossed and turned on open flame is enough to salivate your mouth. A dish that is constantly evolving with more and more flavors being added to it, is undoubtedly the best snack to have with friends and family.
Highlights: Vegetarian/ Non-Vegetarian
10. Paya Soup, sip & slurp of flavors
When it comes to Non-Vegetarian street feast, then head straight to Chatori Gali while in Bhopal. This narrow street is one food paradise that every Bhopali will recommend for a bite.
Paya Soup or lamb trotter’s soup is the best and one of the oldest delight that eventually gained it name right from these dark streets.It is believed that a trip to Bhopal is incomplete without a stroll in Chattori Gali and a bowl of Paya soup.
Highlights: Only non-Vegetarian
11. Poha – Jalebi, because sweet and sour are just what is needed
No! We haven’t mixed two different street foods but bring you this ravishing cuisine right from the streets of Indore. Well known for its wide range of namkeens, samosas and chaats, Poha – Jalebi is the certainly the best roadside treat of Madhya Pradeah.
A unique combo of sweet and salty, one just cannot resist his urge of digging into this beautiful street food while strolling in the streets of Indore.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
12. Thukpa soup, its more than just a soup
A lip-smacking Tibetan soup, Thukpa, is a delight especially in winters. Strong spices, noodles and veggies give an international touch to this ‘not-so-desi’ appetizer.
The availability of this soup is still, however, limited. But the mild hot sensation that you get after slurping a bowl make it worth searching for.
Highlights: Vegetarian/ Non-Vegetarian
13. Kachori, the taste of the land of royals
When it comes to Rajasthan, nothing can beat their exotic and rich variety of food. The well famed Bikaneri Kachori is not only popular amongst the locals but is well known for enticing food lovers from all over the world.
This crunchy treat stuffed with hot gravy and spicy chutneys will certainly keep you longing for more once you step out of Bikaner.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
14. Vada Pao, a spicy delight from ‘Aamchi Mumbai’
Maharashtra runs on this Indian version of burger. It is every Mumbaikar’s take – and- go quick bite. Everyone from student to elite businessmen flock onto these vadapav stalls almost every day.
It is believed that there is no better place than a roadside stall to enjoy this authentic Marathi cuisine.Spicy Vadas with fried chilies might increase the heat inside your stomach but that satisfying taste is something that keeps people herding on these stalls.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
15. Misal Pav, curry-licious
A light snack that has all components for a bon appetite. Misal Pav, is a common snack in streets of Mumbai streets. A mouthwatering mixture of tangy and spicy, a close cousin of Pav Bhaji, this one street delight is tasty as well as filling.
Misal Pav is more of a Railway station delight, in the midst of a busy Mumbai life where the eyes are always on tracks, this is certainly an easy “grab it – take it” meal.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
16. Dabeli, an appetizing delicacy
A popular evening snack of the Gujrat region, Dabeli, gradually became a favorite street food all over Western India. As the night pulls down its curtains one may witness hawkers arranging their stalls with all mouthwatering Gujarati cuisine like Dhokla, Khaman and various other light snacks.
Well served with namkeen, the aroma of the special Dabeli spices used in its preparation will certainly get you hooked over the stall for some more of it.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
17. Bombil Fry, exclusively for you
An all-time favorite sea food that is widely relished only in streets of Mumbai is actually a type of white fish that is exclusively available on Mumbai Coasts. A Goan inspired cuisine, Bombil or Bombla is certainly an ideal street food for sea food lovers.
For the ones, who are just in the early phases of experimenting with sea foods, we recommend to stay away while your dish is being cooked. As they do not smell good while frying but what matters is the end result on your product…that is certainly just amazing.
Highlights: Non-Vegetarian
18. Akki rotti, the food on which the IT capital runs
This quick bite is not only best feasted as an evening snack but is also one of the favourite common tiffin snacks. Relished with coconut chutney, akki rotti is a staple cuisine available at all ‘Upharas’ and ‘Aaharas’.
Apart from this, Neer Dosa, Dosa, Idlis, Mini Idlis are also some authentic cuisines that are easily available and relished by not only locals but also people from different cultures and backgrounds
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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19. Mirchi Bajji, the Daawat-e-snack
Our next cuisine is straight from the land of Daawat-e-ishq, Hyderabad, also known for its tourist attractions. Common appetizers, Mirchi Bajji are stuffed green chilli fritters that are served with lemon. Though Mirchi Bajjis vary in different regions but the Hydrabadi styled are certainly the best all over India.
This snack is for some brave heart as the green chilies are known for inducing sweat and tears , so if you are planning to try it for the first time we advise you to have a glass of water ready.
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
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20. Paddu, finger licking good
Paddu, appe or ponganalu is one of the popular dish in south India. Paddu’s are actually smaller versions of Dosa’s. These yummy-licious joys are sold in almost every next ‘tapri’ on street. Paddu has certainly evolved from a snack to an interesting ‘office- gossip snack’.
A perfect companion in your sutta break, these tiny dosa balls taste best with filter coffee and coconut chutney
Highlights: Only Vegetarian
21. Ragi muddle, a fibrous meal dipped in flavors
Ragi muddle, a staple food in some parts of Karnataka and Andhra. South Indian food is way beyond then just Dosas and Idlis. The smell of crispy ragi balls dipped in spicy tomato gravy or chicken is a taste for a lifetime.
It is one such food that is consumed both as a snack as well as a full meal. A stamped favorite food of all South Indians, this is one item you certainly shouldn’t miss while touring South India.
Highlights: Vegetarian/ Non-Vegetarian
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