Want to dabble in the gastronomical street-side delights of India, but don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered! From the tangiest Aloo Tikki to the sweetest Kulfi, here’s our guide for your best Indian street food experience!
One of the quintessential experiences of an authentic trip to India calls for a (literally) mighty appetite, trying out the local street food! Diverse, colourful, and sprinkled all across the Indian peninsula cities from Mumbai to Delhi to Kolkata boast remarkable and proudly local flavours. Whether you find it on a roadside food stall or jazzed-up in a five-star restaurant serving street delicacies. Street food runs deep in the veins of these cities: What use is eating piping hot Onion Bhajji if it’s not on a rainy day in Mumbai? Or the perfect dessert (“sweet, but not too sweet”) of Kulfi if it’s not late at night near the local bazaar?
From bite-sized appetisers, which invariably become a three-course meal because you’re on your fifth helping to full dishes and drinks, street food is the gem of Indian cuisine waiting to be unearthed by the refined cultural food connoisseur.
However, since not all street food is prepared with the same hygiene standards, it’s recommended to find the more prominent street food stalls to avoid any grumbling tummies afterwards. The key is to go where the stalls are busy, have a better rating online, or where food is served fresh and hot. Stay away from cold food and drinks, unless it’s cooked or prepared in front of you. The best way to go would be to consult a local on the safest street foods to eat!
So without further ado, here are some unmissable Indian street food items to check off on your next trip to India!
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Guide To Indian Street Food:
1. Aloo Tikki (pronounced Aa-loo Tick-kee)
Found all across India with slight variations, but primarily in the Northern regions such as Delhi
Image Credits: Sinfully Spicy
A staple whose origin is unknown (you’ll find it all across the Indian subcontinent from Pakistan to Bangladesh), Aloo Tikki is a beloved snack for most Indians. The idea is simple: Crispy potato croquettes dipped in creamy yoghurt served with flaming green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney. But the art lies in the methods of frying, and the balance of sweet and spicy in the same bite. Trust me on the magic of this one because it has also inspired a McAloo Tikki Burger at McDonald’s for years now!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Try the best Aloo Tikki here
2. Vada Pav (pronounced Vadaa-Pau)
Found in Western India, mainly in Maharashtra — find the best ones in Mumbai and Pune
Image credits: Vogue India
In a busy city like Mumbai, where the city hardly ever catches a breath, a treat like a Vada Pav completely fits the vibe. Near markets and tourist spots, and even on trains, the Vada Pav vendors can be identified with their distinct calls and the aroma of fried potatoes emanating from their stalls. Working seemingly at the speed of light, the vendor draws a fiery spiced potato fritter from a bubbling fryer, lathers chutney inside a bun, places the fritter in it, hands it to you and you’re on your way — and they’re already tending to the next customer. The Vada Pav is perfectly economical, small yet filling, and served with two long green fried chillies and a spicy orange chutney to spruce up the spice — and in a single bite, you’re one of the locals.
PS: The Vada Pav vendor also most likely sells samosas (another street food gem) — and if those are up your alley, Vada Pav is nothing but its true-blood relative!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find the best Vada Pav in Mumbai here
3. Pani Puri
Found across India in most major cities under different names
Image credits: Slurrp
I might be highly biased in saying this, but this snack is a national treasure. It’s appreciated under many different names across the country: Puchkas in Bengal, Golgappas in North India, and Pani-puri in other areas — but the love for it remains the same.
These little pockets of mashed potato, tamarind, and coriander dipped in minty water explode like little fireworks once in your mouth. You can challenge your true spice level till the tears start streaming. Find the best ones in town at the champion local roadside vendor as he hands you a bowl and then one by one serves the scrumptious puris. Remember to keep pace with the vendor before he starts getting ruffled!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find the best Pani Puri here
4. Lassi
Found in Northern India and parts of Gujarat
Image credits: Slurrp
We’ve all tried our Lassis here in Singapore — a fresh and rejuvenating drink on a hot summer’s day. But nothing beats the one which is served in a tall clay pot, refrigerated naturally by the earthenware. While the original thick, milk-shake-like drink is made from yoghurt and water with a blend of spices and sugar, new flavours like mango, rose, and strawberry add more options to the mix. Being the ideal drink on a road trip, make sure to find a vendor at pit stops and fuel up with a tall glass of Lassi before heading on.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find the best Lassi here
5. Chole Bhatura
Found anywhere in India, but the best ones are up North and in Delhi
Image credits: Conde Nast Traveller India
Paired perfectly with a chilled Lassi, help yourself to a delectable plate of Chole Bhatura, a spicy combination of chickpea curry (Chole) and a massive fried and fluffy bread (Bhatura), for a hearty and filling meal. The Bhaturas also come filled with paneer and potatoes for added flavour and tang, so roll up your morsels generously with the curry and go on a flavour trip! Served alongside onions and chutney, Chole Bhatura is synonymous with the true Delhi street food experience.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find the best Bhaturas here
6. Dabeli
Found in Western India, primarily Kutch, Gujarat, and Maharashtra
Image credits: Cook with Kushi
‘Dabeli’ literally means “pressed”, originating from the sizzling griddle it’s pressed on until a shiny, golden-brown, and crisp sandwich is ready. This mouthwatering delight from Kutch in the state of Gujarat has been a local favourite for decades now! With mashed spiced potatoes squished into a bread roll, Dabeli remains inspired by the Tikki or the Vada Pav. But crunchy toppings and a flavourful blend of spices like cumin, red chilli, turmeric, and pomegranate arils take over. Dip it into a tangy tamarind chutney served by the vendor before every bite and you’ve partook in one of the most satisfying street foods in India.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
7. Chaat
Found anywhere across India
Image credits: Archana’s Kitchen
If you’ve got the feels for Indian street food but nothing in specific, then you’re probably craving Chaat. It’s omnipresent in the cuisine, and irresistible. It’s also somewhat the relative of every other Indian street food! The term ‘chaat’ is a blanket term for a myriad range of ingredients all blended to create a mix of sweet and spicy. Constitutionally, they include veggies, potatoes (or the like), optionally yoghurt, and a tangy chutney topping that either makes it sweet or spicy enough to have you heaving. All the Aloo Tikkis, the Samosas, or Chola (chickpea curry) congregate to create the robust Chaat — a delight savoured by all across the country, from the poorest to the richest.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
8. Bhutta (Pronounced as Bhoo-t-taa)
Found across India, particularly in Western India
Image credits: The Quint
Bhutta is your usual corn on the cob but taken up a notch by street hawkers splashing some masala on it. A treat reserved particularly for the rumbling monsoons, the Bhutta vendor comes with a handcart filled with a mound of corn, and at your request, grills one on a charcoal stove till the corn is partially charred. After slathering butter, salt, and masala (a mixture of different spices), the corn is served in its bed of husk, and the comfort food ready to be devoured under stormy skies.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
9. Paddu or Appe
Found in the South of India, Karnataka
Image credits: Living + Nomad
Contrary to the masala-centric foods above, opt for some Paddu (or Appe or Paniyaram depending on where you are) for a South-India-inspired healthy morning breakfast. Bite-sized and dumpling-shaped, these Paddu have the same taste profile as the mighty Dosa, made from rice and black lentils. Gently flavoured, the Paddu is the perfect food for a happy, healthy feeling while trying something new. Allow yourself generous portions of the chutney and sambar to bring out the flavours, and you’re spiralling towards a very satisfying meal.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
10. Kulfi (Kool-fee)
Found across India
Image credits: TasteAtlas
Worthy of having ‘Kool’ in its name, Kulfi is the authentic ice cream to beat the Indian summer. One of the best desserts to date, the Kulfi is creamy and milky and is made entirely from heated milk. It’s then served as a frozen popsicle by the roadside hawker, or artfully sliced into a plate by your Michelin-star chef. Embellished with pistachios and gentle flavours of rosewater and saffron, the Kulfi has been a royal treat for centuries and is now a street food favourite! Eat it all before it melts!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out here
11. Kathi Rolls (Kaa-thee Rolls)
Found in Most major cities, but the best ones come from Kolkata
Image credits: Cook with Kushi
Coming in strong from the East, Kathi Rolls are parathas wrapped with generous fillings of kebabs and are one of the best street foods from Kolkata, West Bengal. After a litany of mostly vegetarian dishes, Kathi Rolls brings the real meat. Try the scrumptious chicken, mutton, or egg (yes, the egg is locally considered non-vegetarian). Kathi rolls are then mixed with onions, chillies, and chaat masala (the king of street food masalas). But if you prefer a vegetarian option, the can’t-go-wrong options of paneer, potatoes, and mixed veggies always prevail!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find the best Kathi Rolls here
12. Masala Chai
Found anywhere in India
Image credits: Gulf News
Whenever I think of Masala Chai (PSA: chai, not chai tea and not chai latte either because all chais are already with milk), all I can think of is the satisfying slurrrrrrp of the first sip. Masala chai is more of a tradition than a beverage at this point and no local will sway you towards anything else. If you’re drinking from a roadside vendor or tea stall (which IMO is the only acceptable way because all the fancy restaurants get it wrong), the chaiwallah serves you piping hot tea in a tiny glass or clay pot. And after the milky taste is over, look forward to the aftertaste of masala to balance out the sweetness. Head out for an early morning walk and the aromas from the Chaiwallah’s tea stall will automatically summon you!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
13. Paaya Soup
From Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh but can be found anywhere in central India
Image credits: Holidify
Another candidate for the non-vegetarian options is the beloved Paya soup from Bhopal, a comfort food that has been around for ages, and for all ages. Made primarily with mutton or lamb legs, the Paya soup is loaded with spices. Close your eyes and taste the cardamom, garam masala, chilli, and garlic. Let the spice take you over.
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
14. Ghugni Chaat
Found in North-Eastern India, especially in Bengal
Image credits: Cook with Kushi
The Ghugni Chaat is a healthy alternative to the other chaats, made entirely of dried white peas soaked in lush gravy of potatoes, onions, chillis, and a concoction of spices. While the dish is originally vegan, the Chaat also comes with chicken and mutton minced meat variations and is often an appetiser. Nothing tops a serving of Ghugni Chaat than a glass of chilled Lassi or Pakodas (fried fritters) for an early morning treat!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
15. Mysore Pak (Pronounced Mysore Pa-ak)
Found in Mysore, Karnataka for the most authentic version
Image credits: NDTV
One of the highest-ranked street food desserts in the world, Mysore Pak was once a royal treat the king loved so much that it became the official sweet of his kingdom. A delightful alloy of gram flour, ghee, and sugar, the sunset-yellow brick of Mysore Pak can now be found at street vendors all over India, particularly in the South. Brought out during celebrations and festivals, these desserts make a perfect ‘something sweet’ to top off your meal!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
16. Onion Bhajji (Onion Bhaj-jee) or Pyaaz Pakode
Found across the country, commonly as ‘Bhajjis’ in the West and ‘Pakode’ up North.
Image credits: Cartly
One of my personal favourites, the onion Bhajjis are hot onion fritters sold with a mesmerisingly powerful chutney. Thinly sliced onions deep-fried in spiced batter, the Bhajjis are crunchy and crispy and served as around six to eight golden-brown, ninja-star-like fritters on your plate. Best enjoyed on cold nights or rainy days, the Onion Bhajjis are a staple snack for locals across the country and will leave you wanting more!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
17. Pav Bhaji
Found all over the country, but the best one is in Maharashtra
Image credits: Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
Last but not least, we have Pav Bhaji: one of the signature foods of Mumbai. Best enjoyed alongside the beach at the Chowpatty (the line of food stalls along the beach of Mumbai) with a view of the crashing waves. The Pav (bread roll) is soft and buttered (the same one from the Vada Pav), to be eaten morsel-by-morsel with the Bhaji (a curry, unlike the ‘Bhajji’ which are fritters). The thick curry is filled with potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions (and a brick of butter floating atop) — but it is the golden Pav Bhaji Masala that gives it the unmissable, patent taste!
YouTrip’s Guide To Indian Street Food 2023: Find out more here
Ready For Your Street Food Fix?
They say the way to happiness is through the stomach — and also coincidentally the best way to connect with the local culture in a country as diverse as India. With every region bringing its own take on the ubiquitous and beloved street food, get ready for a true gastronomical journey. So what are you waiting for? Be sure to use your YouTrip card while making purchases to make full use of favourable foreign exchange rates, and snag the best deals on air tickets, accommodation, and travel insurance!
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Happy tummies!
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