The North: Hearty Flavors & Tangy Treats
Northern India is renowned for its flavorful and spicy cuisine, and its street food is no exception.
The capital city of Delhi is considered one of the top destinations in India to enjoy famous street food. Its iconic dishes include chole bhature, a dish consisting of spicy chickpea curry and fried bread made with maida flour. Onions, pickles, mint chutney, and chilled lassi are often added to this Northern Indian street food item.
Although chole bhature can be found in most regions' street carts, it can also be made at home. You can enjoy this dish at any time of the day, particularly as a breakfast item. Many cooks pack potatoes or cottage cheese into chole bhature for a filling, healthy breakfast.
- Aloo tikki also comes from Northern India.
It’s made with mashed potatoes that are spiced and fried for hot and crispy patties. The dish can be accompanied by tamarind chutney or a tamarind-mint mixture, both of which add plenty of flavor.
- For the toppings, some aloo tikki dishes are garnished with multiple kinds of chutneys, yogurt, and crunchy sev (noodles).
Vendors may also sprinkle onions on the dish.
- Once you’ve enjoyed your meal, complete it with Punjab’s refreshing lassi.
This velvety and foamy drink is made by churning fresh yogurt and then mixing it with water and various fruits or seasonings, such as sugar or salt. Lassi is usually served in a handleless clay cup called a kulhar and can be topped with some malai (clotted cream).
The West: Sweet, Savory, & Everything In Between
In Western India, the spotlight shines on a variety of unique sweets and snacks.
Lively Mumbai boasts a legendary street food scene, shaped by its urban character. Vada pav, affectionately nicknamed the “Indian burger,” is perhaps the city’s most famous street food item.
This humble yet satisfying vegetarian snack tucks deep-fried mashed potatoes, mustard seeds, turmeric, coriander, and masala powder into a soft bun. In addition, you’ll get different mint and sweet chutneys and red chili powder on the side.
Another Mumbai favorite is pav bhaji, featuring a condensed, soft, and spicy vegetable gravy that mixes potatoes, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower, carrots, onions, and a special pav bhaji masala. It’s often accompanied by a buttery, super-soft bun (pav), with an aroma you can smell while walking around the city’s streets.
- From Mumbai, we move to Gujarat, where you’ll enjoy sweet and savory street food.
- The steamed and spongy dhokla, made from gram flour and fermented to make the batter rise, is topped with a sweet and tangy syrup for a deeper flavor.
- Like dhokla, khandvi is made from gram flour.
Cooks create a smooth batter from the flour and buttermilk. Once a smooth batter is achieved, it’s spread thinly, garnished with coconut and coriander leaves, turned into bite-sized rolls, and tempered with curry leaves and sesame seeds.
The East: Highlighting Traditionally Cooked Street Food
For the next part of our Indian street food guide, we head to Eastern India. The street food here is made using traditional ingredients and cooking methods.
If you’re exploring Bengal, try puchka. This famous street food item in India is best eaten at a roadside stall. Dip a piece in coriander water and tamarind paste, take a bite, and savor an exceptionally delightful combination of mashed potatoes and boiled chickpeas. Moreover, spicy puchka tastes better.
Calcutta is famous for kathi rolls, flatbreads packed with appetizing veggies and kebabs. These tasty treats are crispy yet soft, thanks to the maida flour. Drop by Kolkata’s busy streets, and you’ll know how well-loved kathi rolls are. (Hint: The best ones can be found at Park Street.)
- Dahi bara aloo dum combines two dishes: fried lentil dumplings soaked in spicy yogurt and spicy potato curry.
- Both serve a spicy chaat that’s garnished with sliced onions, crunchy noodles, coriander, and spices.
- Plus, the chaat can be accompanied by ghugni (white pea or chickpea curry).
Each bite will flood your taste buds with creamy, tangy, and spicy notes, showcasing the region's love for layered flavors.
The South: Spicy, Crisp, & Coconut-Kissed Street Food
Our virtual Indian street food tour concludes in Southern India, where cooks create delicious street food from rice, lentils, and coconut.
Hyderabad’s bustling streets are lined with stalls serving mirchi bajji, a dish featuring various spices, paired with onions and lemons. It always goes straight to everyone’s tummy. Mirchi bajji is made by dipping green chilies in batter and deep-frying to achieve the best flavor and texture. Inside, you’ll see spicy, tangy onion that mixes with the crispy covering for a delightful dish.
Dosa is another beloved street food item in Southern India. Rice and black gram beans are soaked to make this thin, crepe-like pancake. Cooks combine both ingredients into a thick batter, which is then fermented overnight to achieve the dosa’s signature texture and taste. Then, the batter is fried with oil, ghee, or butter on a hot griddle until it’s crispy. Vendors sprinkle various toppings on top of the pancake.
- Coming from Tamil cuisine, sundal can be made mostly with legumes, lentils, or grains. It’s enjoyed during festivals such as Navratri and Vinayaka Chaturthi.
- Kerala offers puttu and kadala kari, even at street stalls.
- Puttu consists of steamed tubes or rolls of rice flour layered with freshly grated coconut.
- Those sweet rolls are paired with kadala kari, a spiced black chickpea curry, for a satisfying meal.
The Charm of Indian Street Food at a Glance
Indian street food isn’t just delicious—it also invites everyone to experience the rich culture of India. Many vendors use recipes passed down from generation to generation, while passers-by visit carts and kiosks to see how they’re made and try tasty dishes.
Each street food recipe is prepared with specific, traditional cooking methods. From grinding fresh spices to garnishing the final dish, such techniques make Indian street food authentic and flavorful.
More importantly, Indian cities and towns work to ensure that local street food is safe to eat. Many of these areas require vendors and cooks to obtain the necessary licenses and follow current food safety guidelines. If you’re trying Indian street food during your stay in India, we recommend visiting stalls that handle ingredients properly. The same goes for top eateries near your city in the U.S.
Try Popular Indian Street Food Items Sold Near You
Indian cuisine also includes street food coming from the country’s different regions. Each city and town creates unique dishes using a variety of ingredients and cooking methods. So, whether you’re walking down Old Delhi’s narrow roads or Chennai’s sunny beaches, you’ll find delightful street food to enjoy. It’s an experience that showcases the richness of Indian culture and leaves you with a lasting impression of the distinctive flavors of Indian cuisine.
If you’re craving Indian street food, United Tribes can help you find restaurants or vendors with these dishes near you. Visit our online business directory today or get more guides to Indian cuisine from our blog.
