You never need a reason to enjoy some street food. Be it puchka from Kolkata or vada pav from Mumbai, the country has some fantastic street food options that are tasty, seasonal and completely unique. And if you’re in the capital city, these street food joints in Delhi are a must-visit! By Anushka Goel
Delhiites love their food, and the amazing variety of eateries in the city is a testament to that. Whether it be the finest five-stars or the tiniest nukkad shop, the city has something delicious to offer every corner you turn. And the city’s street food is just another feather in the cap for those looking to satiate cravings they didn’t know they had.
So, if you’re someone who is on the hunt for some delicious bites that are light on the pocket but heavy on taste, check out these eateries that offer the best of street food in Delhi, and be prepared to get blown away by the variety and flavour that you’re going to be presented with!
Street food joints in Delhi for a lip-smacking meal
Chache Di Hatti, Kamla Nagar
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Chhole Bhature runs in the very blood of Dilliwallahs, and you’ll rarely find a person who doesn’t like the fermented, fried bread with spicy chhole and some aloo and achar on the side. There are hundreds of places serving the delicious treat in Delhi, and it is a staple in most homes in the city. However, one of the best places in the city to enjoy piping hot bhaturas with bowls of chhole is Chache Di Hatti in Kamla Nagar. Enjoy the treat for breakfast, or after a long day of shopping, right before you head home.
Khandani Pakode Wala, Sarojini Nagar
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One of the most famous street food joints in Delhi, Khandani Pakode Wala is known for serving up, well, pakodas! The place has been around since 1962 and has expanded into several shops in the same lane to be able to cater to the volume of customers they serve up daily. Indulge in some delicious pakodas here, best enjoyed with piping hot chai. Opt for classics such as aloo, paneer, gobhi pakodas, or opt for some slightly unusual ones such as baingan, kamal kakdi (lotus stem), soya and mirchi pakodas!
Mom Hand Momos, Satya Niketan
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Mom Hand Momos started as a small stall in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, bang opposite Sri Venkateswara College, and has now expanded to a shop in the same lane. The shop, which started with plain, fried and gravy momos, has now expanded to more varieties of Delhi’s favourite street food, such as tandoori momos and crispy momos. Mom Hand Momos also serves the yummiest street-style egg fried rice and egg noodles that we’ve tried, and their gravy momos continue to be this writer’s favourite to date.
Ashok Chaat Corner, Chowk Hauz Qazi
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The tiny shop, nestled in a corner at Hauz Qazi Chowk, is hard to miss, simply because of the number of customers waiting to be served here. Ashok Chaat Bhandar is one of the most popular street food joints in Delhi, which serves up delicious dahi bhallas, kalmi vadas, gol gappe and more. The combination of spicy, fresh chutneys with the sweet dahi used in their chaat varieties cool you down as quickly as they amp up the heat, making for a gastronomical experience that’s light on your pocket.
Lajpat Wale Raam Ladoo, Lajpat Nagar
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Ram Laddoo is a popular snack found in the streets of Delhi, and the most famous among these is the one found in Lajpat Nagar. The laddoos are deep-fried balls that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These are topped with shredded white mooli (radish) and served with a tangy, spicy chutney, which is sure to make your tastebuds tingle.
Aslam Chicken Corner, Jama Masjid
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Delhi is a haven for those looking for some yummy non-vegetarian treats, and its street food is no exception. The city has some of the best in non-vegetarian street food, the best of which is served in the Jama Masjid lane. The food here has Mughal influences, and the succulent kebabs and rich nihari are a must-have here. The most famous among these joints is Aslam Chicken Corner, which, as the name suggests, serves delicious chicken dishes including seekh kebabs, tikkas and more.
Laphing, Majnu ka Tilla
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Laphing is a Tibetan dish that has found immense popularity in Delhi. The spicy cold dish is made from moong, wheat or potato starch, rolled and stuffed with soya chunks and a spicy sauce. Served both soupy and dry, laphing is a must-have when you visit Delhi.
Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, Chandni Chowk
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Another one among the famous street food joints in Delhi, Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala is a small shop that is easy to miss because of the location. But ask anyone in Chandni Chowk where to enjoy the best kachori-sabzi, and everyone will point you here! The crispy, flaky dal kachori is served with a spicy aloo sabzi. And if you’re brave enough, top it with the kachalu chutney which will set your mouth on fire! The treat is a must-have when visiting Chandni Chowk, especially if you’re done eating parathas in the Parathe Wali Gali and want to try something new.
Dolma Aunty momos, Kamla Nagar and Lajpat Nagar II
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When it comes to momos, Dolma Aunty serves up some of the best in Delhi. The street food joint is a must-visit after a tiring day of shopping, and the outlet serves yummy street-style veg, chicken, and paneer momos that are steamed to perfection. If you’re not in the mood for momos, enjoy the other offerings such as spring rolls, honey chilli potatoes and more at this pocket-friendly street food joint in Delhi.
Daulat Ki Chaat, Kucha Pati Ram, Chandni Chowk
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It’s not spicy, it’s not heavily flavoured and it’s definitely not savoury. Daulat Ki Chaat is one of the most popular winter offerings Chandni Chowk has. The fluffy, light chaat is basically milk foam that has been flavoured with sugar and saffron, with a hint of cardamom (if at all). It makes for a great dessert chaat after you’ve indulged in the spicy offerings from the streets, and is a must-have in the Delhi winters.
Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwala, Sitaram Bazar
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If you’ve been drooling over those viral videos of fruits stuffed full with delicious kulfi, then this is the place for you. Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwala is among the most iconic street food joints in Delhi, and is one of the oldest ones selling fruit-stuffed kulfi. They even export their product and are known for their mango, orange and anaar (pomegranate) stuffed kulfis, along with other flavours such as jamun, ganna (sugarcane), paan, anjeer and even fruit cream. However, one of our top picks is the malai kulfi, which has a delicious milk cream flavour and mouthfeel and subtle sweetness.
Matra Kulche, Chandni Chowk
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Matra Kulcha is another extremely popular street food in Delhi, and some of the best versions can be had in Nai Sadak. The street is lined with several thelewalas with huge golden pots of matra (white peas) and piles of kulchas lining their stalls. The matra, topped with shredded ginger, chopped onions, lemon juice and coriander, is made spicy with special masala, based on the spice levels you can handle, and pairs amazingly well with the soft, slightly chewy and thin kulcha bread served with it.
Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of Prchi Palwe/Unsplash
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