Chatori Gali of Delhi - 20 Delhi Street Food You Must Try

Call yourself a big foodie? Have you ever been to Delhi and tried its magnificent street food? 

No matter how many places you have been to in India, every place has its own specialty. Talk about Delhi Street food, one thing that strikes our mind is the super narrow streets of the capital with food stalls at every corner. However, you know what? One thing that sets Delhi apart is its scrumptious street food that comes from not just one community but an amalgam of many.

The Delhi we know today is composed of layers of seven different cities. The real food from Delhi was influenced by many cuisines including Chauhans, Rajputs, Jats, Gujjars, Sultanate, Turkish, and many more. No wonder it is popularly known as the ‘Heart of India’ where there is no end to ‘An Age of Plenty’. Many rulers have come and gone plundering every house of Delhi but one thing that they could not take away was the food.

Delhi’s food is popular throughout the country because of its spices and flavourful taste. Pass through the lanes of Delhi and see how your mouth will start watering just by looking at the succulent variety of chaats available.

So, here is a list of street food you cannot miss enjoying on your next visit to Delhi.

1. Gol Gappe

Let’s begin with one that is as controversial as who came first – Eggs or Chicken. Gol Gappe, known as Padase by old Delhites, has a unique taste in comparison to its other varieties be it Puchka, Pani Puri, or Gup Chup. What makes Gol Gappe so special? There is the tanginess of tamarind chutney and the spicy mint and coriander water. So, definitely something you cannot miss.

2. Bhalla Papdi

Bhalla Papdi is a remarkable combination of soft, crunchy, sour, sweet, and spicy. These are nutritious balls made with white lentils served with Papdi, boiled potatoes, chickpeas and garnished with spices and coriander. There is a slight similarity between Gol Gappe and Bhalle Papdi and that is the crunchy Papdi. Papdi is the non-puffed Gol Gappas that street food vendors use to make Bhalla Papdi.

3. Aloo Chaat

Next up, we have the world-famous Aloo chaat that is made by shallow frying boiled potatoes. These potatoes are tossed in a mixture of sauces and spices and served with a spoon or stick. Besides, you will love how the potatoes dipped in lemon juice and sauces would turn out to be so splendid.

4. Kachori

To be honest, there is no Delhite who would say NO to the breakfast of Aloo Kachori. Obviously, like most of Delhi street food, Kachori is also fried crispy puri. However, when you dip that in the spicy and tangy aloo ki sabzi and savor the simplicity of this snack, you will know why most Delhites are like that.

5. Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is always said to be the unhealthiest food to have. Nonetheless, it is no surprise that even the leading sportsman of India, Virat Kohli shows his gratitude towards the magnificent creation of such finger-licking food. But here is a trick, you must prefer having Cholle Bhature freshly taken out of the kadhai. The puffed-up brown-colored Bhaturas may feel piping hot but once you take the bite with spicy chole ki sabzi, chutney, and achar, you won't be able to stop.

6. Kulfi Faluda

It’s not like Delhi food is all about spices and tanginess. Some outstanding sweets make the cuisine awesome. Kulfi Falooda is one such refreshing and mind-blowing after-dinner sweet to have. Trust me, you will too find it to be the perfect ending to any supper.

7. Pav Bhaji

You must be thinking about how Pav Bhaji can be added to the Delhi Street food when it comes from Maharashtra. Delhi residents also love Pav Bhaji as much as any other Indian. Well, even in Delhi, you will see many street food vendors with a big Tawa and mixing bhaji at every market. Obviously, nothing can beat the warm buns toasted in butter, flavourful bhaji, and onions all in a bite.

8. Tikki

Here comes another amazing chaat of all time. Tikki is one aloo-filled snack that is essential to have whenever someone visits a market. Even if it is for no reason. Now, these piping hot shallow fried potato cutlets are served with Chutneys and Sev on the top. Also, at many places, you will also get a salad with it, mainly cucumber and cabbage that goes really well together.

9. Pasta

I know you are thinking how can pasta be counted as one great street food of Delhi? No matter where pasta came from, ever since it has entered Delhi, people have made it their personal favorite.

On the streets, you will not find pesto-sauce-type pasta but mainly desified versions of it. It includes Maggi Pasta, White Sauce, Red Sauce, and even Pink Sauce Pasta. Moreover, whichever one you pick, you will be amazed by how this foreign food turns out to be so good on the streets of Delhi.  

10. Amritsari Naan

As I said earlier, the street food of Delhi is not from one community but influenced by many. Similarly, when Punjabis migrated to Delhi, they brought their best foods with them. Amritsari Naan is one such beautiful gift from them.

These are tandoori stuffed parathas which are often served with dal, chole, tamarind chutney, and onions. Some places also serve you raita with them for the authentic Punjabi feel. True, these are heavy like any other Punjabi food but once you take a bite, it will be hard to stop till the last one.

11. Kabab

If you are a big fan of non-vegetarian food, you cannot resist having Kabab. Especially the ones from Purani Dilli. What you get from Karim and Qureshi near Jama Masjid is beyond words. The best thing about Kabab is that you will have unlimited varieties of it. Well, not just in non-veg but in veg as well. There can be Seekh Kabab, Galouti Kabab, Kabab Rolls, Afghani Kabab, Tandoori, and much more.

Besides, they are available in different styles as well, not just in minced meat but also Tangri, lollipops, and whatnot. You name it, Delhi streets have it.

12. Momos

Now comes one thing that is inspired from a foreign country but today it defines a Delhi resident. The love for Momos is truly unconditional for anyone who lives in Delhi. From steam to tandoori, Afghani, and Kurkure, Delhites can never get enough of them.

Moreover, the balance of spicy red chili sauces and mild mayonnaise makes up for anything that is missing in the Momos. Traveling to Delhi? Don’t forget the street style Momos or what most people call them, Dumplings or Dim Sums.

13. Samosa

Every evening is tea time for most Indians but for Delhi, it is the time to have some pre-dinner snack. At every Halwai shop, you will find people who instruct the shopkeeper to pack several Samosas to take away as a complimentary snack for their tea-time.

Being in Delhi, you must have Samosa with simply potato filling stuffed in it. Try it once and see how it changes your experience. 

14. Ram Ladoo

If there is anything in India that makes the best use of radish, it is Ram Ladoo. These are lentils fritters made with the essential flavors of radish leaves. It is served with Methi (Fenugreek) chutney and garnished with radish on top.

When the hot and freshly fried lentil balls are served to you with cool chutney and freshly grated radish, you will experience the soothing explosion of spices in your mouth.

15. Daulat Ki Chaat

Daulat Ki Chaat is a very unique concept for street vendors. This is usually something you get only in the winter season because you know, Delhi winters are unique in their own ways.

Daulat Ki Chaat is usually prepared by mixing milk, cream, and khoya and leaving it up on the roof overnight. The moisture of winter vapors gives it the fluffiness that you get with sugar sprinkled on top. Hence, a different sweet I am sure you have never had before.

16. Paratha Thali

There is one street in Delhi that every tourist craves to come. And that street is Paratha Wali Gali, Chandini Chowk. As you enter the street, you will smell the mouth-watering fumes of pure desi ghee. Even though there are just 4-5 shops in the street, the taste is quite similar in all places.

You will be amazed to see the variety of parathas these street vendors are serving. The range goes from Potato, Cauliflower, to Radish, Paneer and Mixed paratha. Further, once you order the thali, you will be served a variety of sabzi along with Pickle, Salad, and Chutney.

17. Biryani

The fact is, Delhi has almost every food from across the world. When we think about Biryani, Delhi has all varieties of it. From Hyderabadi to Awadhi, you will come across big Handies loaded with Biryani of all types. The love for Biryani and the complementary Shorba is beyond any explanation.

18. Chow Mein

Chinese food is very popular on the streets of Delhi and the major reason is of course the cultural influence. But when it comes to foreign cuisine, it is more like the Delhi-version people love to have. Similarly, Chow Mein is nothing but normal Chinese noodles all prepared in spicy tadka of ginger, garlic, cabbage, capsicum, onion, and lots of green chilies.

Tossing noodles in big pans is something that attracts people from distances. Besides, you cannot resist trying this out whenever you visit the local markets of Delhi.

19. Rolls

Just like Noodles or Chow Mein, there is a variety of Rolls you will have in the market. From Veg to Non-Veg, these tortillas are stuffed with sauces and the filling of your choice and rolled together to get you that go-to snack. To name a few, there is Noodles Roll, Mushroom Roll, Paneer Roll, Chicken Roll, Tikka Roll, and many more.

20. Banta (Soda)

Last but not least we have Banta which is your buddy to digest your food. This soda is available at almost every market in Delhi and I am sure it will remind you of your childhood. The only difference is how these vendors mix the soda with spices and give it a nice tangy and sour taste that you definitely cannot resist. To sum it up, it’s the perfect ending to your day.

Conclusion

Delhi can be summarized as the ‘Heaven for Foodies’ and all the credit goes to its ever-green street food. Food prepared with love and passion is always fun to have and this is something you will find as soon as you step out of the station or even the airport. So, this list is something you must pick while planning to visit Delhi for your next food journey.

Have I missed out on your favorite food? Comment down below your favorite Delhi street food and let the world know what they are missing out on.