India's heritage and culture sans food create a narrative that is bogus at best. The importance of food in India can be gauged from the fact that we have streets named after ex-Presidents, valorous rulers, philanthropists, and of course food. From the ‘Paranthe Wali Gali’ in the heart of the capital New Delhi to ‘Bhatiyar Gali’ in Ahmedabad, food is to India what oxygen is to humans. So, let us dive in a little deeper and find out the must-have street foods in India without which your trip to the subcontinent will be incomplete.
1. Pani Puri
Now this delicacy right here has multiple names so you got to be careful of which label to use where. Referred to as Pani Patashe in Haryana and MP, Gol Gappe in Delhi and Punjab, and Puchka in the eastern part of the country, this street food is the most palatable to the residents of India. The crisp round golden balls filled with spicy and hot mashed potatoes dipped in flavorful sweet and tangy water that is prepared with tamarind or raw mango and garnished with chopped coriander burst in your mouth within seconds and honestly, taste like euphoria. So grab them wherever you find them without delay. Simply a must-try experience while on any one of our North India tour packages.
2. Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji has its roots in Maharashtra. The dish is as simple as its name. Pav means a soft bread bun and Bhaji is the Hindi for vegetable. The Bhaji is a luscious concoction of multiple mashed vegetables, spices, herbs and is topped with generous amounts of butter and lime juice. The Pav is roasted in butter/oil in a pan until golden brown and the combination is served with onions and of course more butter.
3. Chhole Bhature
This is another one of northern India’s most relished street foods. A deep-fried Bhatura made of all-purpose flour is served with appetizing spicy Chana Masala (chickpea) makes for a perfect meal irrespective of whether you have it for breakfast, snacks, lunch, or dinner. These taste best when served piping hot. Remember to seek this one out the next time you embark on a North India tour with us!
4. Aloo Tikki
Aloo Tikki is an Indian snack that was a part of the culture even in undivided India. If you crave a dish that is tangy, spicy, bursting with flavors, and satiating, Aloo Tikki is the way to go. It is prepared by vendors in almost all streets in the northern part of the country and is also extremely pocket friendly
5. Samosa/Kachori
I am listing these together because you are most likely to find both of these in the same shop/stall. Samosa is the triangular-shaped snack that is stuffed with peppery mashed potato while Kachori is circular and is filled with pulses (dal) or sometimes, even onions. These are served with Kadhi (curry), Subzi (vegetable), or tamarind and mint chutneys across the country and make for a perfect early morning Sunday breakfast or high tea appetizer.
6. Bhel Puri
If you ever visit a Chowpati, Bhej is a must-have anywhere in India. Bhel is an Indian savory snack. The dish offers perfect incorporation of spicy, sweet, sour, and tangy flavors in a single bite. You won't be able to resist yourself from asking for more once you get your hands on this munchable snack made of puffed rice, peanuts, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, tamarind and mint sauces, and drizzled with lime juice and coriander.
7. Pakoda
Be it a party, a get-together, a dull-rainy evening, or a chirpy Sunday morning, Pakodas had made its place in the core of the heart of Indian street food. The beauty of pakoda is that you can make it with almost anything and does not require more than 5 minutes of preparation time. This is probably the reason why this easy-go-lucky snack is appreciated so much in a country that has complicated spices and flavors. All you need to do is take a vegetable, chop or slice it into bite-sized bits, coat it with Besan (Chickpea flour), and deep fry it. And wallah! your snack is ready to munch on.
This article is not all-encompassing. India has multiple varieties of food that vary in its preparation and flavor within a distance of every few kilometers. But the good news is, every version tastes just as good. So, when you visit India, make sure you don’t miss out on wandering free in the Indian streets and trying to taste every bit of lip-smacking delicacies its streets have to offer. No India tour is ever complete without a sampling of its best foods – and you would absolutely regret not having a taste for yourself!