Any country’s local culture and flavor can be truly experienced by it’s street food. Indian Street Food is a quick option that offers tasty fast food for anyone on the move. Heavy on flavors and taste, it is quite filling and most importantly light on the pocket. Hence, very popular and always bustling with droves of crowds gathered around stalls as the aroma of delicious food rise and pan’s sizzle. Here’s a list of the must have street food in India.
1.) Paani Puri
The most popular street food in India, which has different names all over the country but the same shared intense passion and love for it, is Paani Puri. Cups called Puris are filled with potato chickpea filling and then dipped in tangy water (Paani) and eaten all at once, tha leaves crunches in the mouth as diverse flavour of sour, sweet and tangy explode. If it’s your first time trying, do ask the vendor to tone down the heat a bit. And do not be shy in asking for a plain Puri in the end to chase it all down.
2.) Dosa
Dosa a breakfast dish, is a South Indian dish that has a growing fan base all over the country. These savory rice pan crepes are popular not just in the country, but all over the globe. Light on the pocket and heavy on the stomach, it is served with condiments such as Chutney, Sambar and have a filling of Potato.
3.) Idly
Also a South Indian Dish, Idly are soft, disc shaped balls with rice and steamed to cook. A delicious and light meal, these white balls are a popular favourite. Served with Chutney and Sambar, the Idly has several variations, through out the south of the country.
4.) Vada
Another popular South Indian dish, Vada is commonly eaten along with Idly as a combination. Vada are doughnut shaped savory fried snacks that are enjoyed on it’s own or with a chutney or Sambar.
5.) Momos
Momos are the Indian version of the world famous dumplings. A popular favorite snack in North India, stalls serving Momos can be found almost on every street. With passing time, several renditions of this favourite have been made such as Tandoori Momos, Paneer Tikka Momos etc. The spicy and tangy accompanying sauce with it, makes the filled pouches of goodness hard to resist.
6.) Chaat
A popular street food around India, Chaat stalls can be found almost everywhere. The stalls offer a wide array of items, all of which sell like hot buns. Items include Bhel Puri, Sev Puri and Ragda Chaat are names too familiar to all Indians. Each dish plays a blissful symphony of tangy, sweet, spicy and crispy with several ingredients and components that contribute to each flavor profile and texture.
7.) Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is another famous street dish, that is commonly found with stalls selling chaat. A dish that is served with a pair of bun served hot with a spicy tasty curry of mashed veggies, with a dollop of butter that melts on the silky curry is an absolute must try. Originating in Maharasthra, more choices for Pav Bhaji can be found in Mumbai.
8.) Vada Pav
Vada Pav, the Indian burger consists of a bun with stuffed mashed potato filling with dressing of a spicy chutney. Having roots in Maharashtra, this popular snack and breakfast item is enjoyed everywhere in India. The item owes it’s popularity, due to the ability of being able to easily take it around and eat it without much ado.
9.) Kababs
Who doesn’t love good sizzling spiced meat? One of the most scrumptious street food in India, and also very popular are the Kababs. Grilled to perfection on Tandoor or coals, coated in aromatic spices, one bite is bound to make you want for more. The Kababs that can be found are of various kinds such as Seekh Kebab, Tandoori, Gulauti, Reshmi etc.
10.) Pakodas
The most popular Indian snack available not only outside, but also prepared at homes are Pakodas. These fried fritters have innumerable possibilities with different vegetables dipped in different batters. The most popular are the Potato and Onion fritters. In different parts of India, the local twitched versions of the fritters can be found.
11) Samosa
Samosas are also a popular fried snack that have also gained popularity worldwide. A filling and tasty snack option, these are triangular pouches filled with potato and deep fried, An often served with chutney and tangy condiment or enjoyed on it’s own.
The next time in India, you know what street food to look out for!
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