Best Indian Street Food

Indian Street Food

Culinary diversity of India is one of its greatest treasures. The diversity in food can be attributed to the diverse geography and climate of the subcontinent. The wealth of flavours of Indian food can be relished in its street food, too.

Street food in India is popular and pocket friendly. Some of these dishes have become a part of regular restaurant menus too, though they taste the best when eaten from stalls or counters along the roadsides.

Below are some delicious street foods from all over India that foodies travelling to India must try:

1. Gol Gappe

It is widely popular across India and is known by several names in different states across the country. Known as Panipuri in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; Phuchka in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal; Gol Gappe in New Delhi, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh; Paani ke Bataashe in parts of Uttar Pradesh; Gup Chup in Odisha, Hyderabad and South Jharkhand, this spicy and tangy savoury dish can be enjoyed anywhere in India.

These water balls are all time favourite, they consist of a crispy fried sphere which is poked and stuffed with a spicy mixture of tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, chickpeas. These are then filled with flavoured water and popped right into the mouth.

2. Vada Pav

This dish is a native of Maharashtra and is almost the staple for those living in Mumbai. It is the Indian version of a burger, prepared by placing a deep fried mashed potato fritter (vada) inside a sliced bread bun (pav). Green chillies and spicy chutneys are served as condiments. It is a spicy and filling snack, which is pocket friendly and is enjoyed across all parts of India

3. Poha Jalebi

It is the staple breakfast of Madhya Pradesh and you can enjoy a delectable plate of it in Indore. Poha is a light and nutritious snack made of flakes of flattened or beaten rice that is cooked with onions, potatoes, curry leaves, turmeric and spices.

It is garnished with sev (namkeen), coriander and topped off with lemon juice. Jalebi is a dessert and is popular all over South Asia and the Middle East. It is made by deep frying batter that is made with plain flour or all purpose flour in pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. Poha Jalebi is served as a combination and a plate of it can be defined as a perfect burst of flavours.

4. Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji is a Maharashtrian fast food dish consisting of a spiced mixture of mashed vegetables in a thick gravy, garnished with chopped onions, coriander and lemon juice, served hot with a soft string buns (pav) which have been dipped in butter. This perfect blend of a myriad variety of veggies along with exotic mix of spices is a favourite as it is flavourful and pocket friendly too.

5. Paddu/ Appe

It is a popular finger food in southern states of India such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Paddu’s are smaller versions of Dosa with a slightly sour taste. These are also known as ponganalu or paniyaram and are made of a batter which is made of soaked black lentils and rice, in a mould. They taste amazing with filter coffee and are served with coconut chutney.

6. Momos

Although momos are native to Tibet and Nepal, in India, the North-East hold the bragging rights for it. A spicy roadside cuisine, this Indian street food has escalated from roadside stalls to food centers and food courts in all hot shot Malls. Tangy spicy red sauce and steaming hot dumplings loaded with veggies or chicken and served with mayonnaise is something that we just cannot resist while walking past the stall on road.

7. Chole Bhature

A Punjabi classic. They taste best when served hot, and are yummy and filing. You need an appetite to do justice to the dish. It is a staple breakfast in the majority of Punjabi Households. Mouthwatering green peas cooked in traditional Punjabi spices and curry along with fried bread is enough to salivate your taste buds. if you wish to get the taste of real Punjab then take a trip through narrow colorful streets of Amritsar and order a plate of this bombastic combination of Chhole Bhature.

8. Dosa

Embark on a culinary journey to South India with the iconic Dosa. This thin and crispy fermented crepe, made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, is a staple of South Indian cuisine. Whether you opt for the classic plain Dosa or indulge in a Masala Dosa filled with a spiced potato filling, the delicate crispness of the Dosa, coupled with the array of chutneys and sambar, is a gastronomic experience you don’t want to miss.

An average street vendor would serve as many as 10 varieties of dosa from masala dosa, onion dosa to paneer dosa and cheese dosa.

9. Dahi Puri

Creamy and Cool twist to the traditional Pani Puri, try Dahi Puri. These bite sized puris are filled with a delightful combination of crispy puris, tangy tamarind chutney, velvety yoghurt, and a sprinkle of sev (crunchy gram flour noodles). The contrasting textures of crispy, creamy, and crunchy make each bite a symphony of flavours that will cool your palate on a hot summer day.

10. Bhel Puri

The street food of Mumbai recipe changes, but the plates of puffed rice are usually tossed in chopped shallots, tomatoes, spiced potato and tamarind chutney. While that might not sound that appealing, the balance of tart, spice and sweetness can be just the ticket.

11. Kathi Rolls

Indian wraps that originated in West Bengal but can now be found in most cities across India. The original recipe consisted of skewer roasted meats and kebabs that were wrapped in a paratha and served with a chutney dip or spread.

Nowadays, there are so many variations of the to try, including rolls made with vegetables, paneer, various types of meat, and plenty of dips and chutneys. are especially popular in the capital of Delhi.

12. Mishti Doi

While Bengali sweets are a genre of their own, has reached iconic status across not just West Bengal, but the entire country. literally translates to “sweet yogurt” and is a hugely popular dish that is made with thick, reduced yogurt that has been sweetened with jaggery, milk, and sugar.

13. Litti Chokha

‘Litti’ resembles Rajasthani baati in appearance, but its recipe gives it a different flavor. The dough is filled with ground gram nut flour and then cooked over an open flame. Potato, brinjal, and tomato are used to make chokha. The dish is excellent for lunch, dinner, or breakfast. Don’t pass up the chance to sample Patna’s fantastic street food.

14. Chowmein:

Chow mein, is one dish that actually made street food all the more popular in India. There was a time in the ’90s when every next food stall had lines of people waiting for scoops of these noodles on their plate. Hot red noodles getting tossed and turned on an open flame is enough to salivate your mouth. A dish that is constantly evolving with more and more flavors being added to it, is undoubtedly the best snack to have with friends and family. Veg or Non Veg, just take your pick.

15. Aloo Tikki

Be it a wedding, a house party, a market stroll, or a visit to the mall; everything is incomplete without having the delicious Aloo Tikki. Though its exact origin is unknown, you’ll find it in every corner of the country.

No matter you find any other street food item or not, Tikki is something that’ll catch your glimpse every time you are on a street food stroll. The mashed potatoes mixed up with spices are fried to get hot and crispy Tikkis. Sometimes served with Tamarind chutney and sometimes with a combo of tamarind and mint, this dish is a bomb of flavours. There are a few vendors who also garnish the dish with reddish and onion adding more to its taste.

16. Lakhanpur De Balley

Lakhanpur is also known for its delicious ‘Bhalley’. It is a fried snack prepared from pulses served with green chutney and shredded radish. The tangy aroma and mix of spices make this dish one of the most edible street foods throughout the country. As soon as you enter the Lakhanpur lane, you’ll see several vendors selling the delish delicacy. This would surely make your breakthrough the street eating stigma, and you’ll dig into the yum Bhallas.

17. Mirchi Bhajji

We all must have eaten Mirch k Pakode but trust me when we say this, none of them could match the ones found in Hyderabad. The Mirchi Bhajji there spills out heaven. A burst of spices served with onion and lemon, this street food dish makes its way to everyone’s tummy.

18. Tunde Kabab

This dish will make you drool over its taste. Exceptionally delicious, it is one of the most preferred street food items in Lucknow. Prepared with minced meat, it is also known as Galouti Kebab. It is made in a way that even a toothless man can get foodgasms. Extraordinarily soft and heavenly delicious, it is a must have when in the Nawabo K Shahar, Lucknow.

19. Misal Pao

One of the few wonders of Mumbai includes this super go to street food feast, Misal Pav. It includes two three buns served with a curry made from beans and a melange of spices. Poha or Chidva, coriander leaves, namkeen and chopped onions are added to the curry, which makes it taste thousand times better. Almost every street food vendor sells Misal Pav which is a great snack during the roadside gossips.

20. Idli Sambhar

You cannot resist yourself from having the famous idli sambhar of Chennai When in the streets there are 100% chances that you’ll treat your taste buds with the delicious idli sambhar. To the distance, till your eyes can see, you are to spot at least five idli sambhar vendors on roads. No matter how much you eat it you’ll never get bored.

21. Jhal Muri

Jhal Muri is a very popular street snack that is known by different names in different cities. The name ‘Jhal Muri’ comes from Bengal; wherein ‘Jhal’ means spicy and ‘Muri’ means puffed rice. It has an array of crisps like puffed rice, sev, peanuts, fried lentils, fried peas, puri etc. and stuff like finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies, coriander leaves, coconut shavings and some boiled potatoes as well. With various kinds of spices like salt, black salt, chaat masala, red chili powder, cumin powder, dry mango powder etc. A dash of lemon juice on top all of it is mixed to create this delicious spicy snack. When it comes to Jhal Muri creativity knows no bounds.