Discover the vibrant world of Indian street food! Dive into 9 must-try vegetarian delights and tantalize your taste buds
India, a land of vibrant colours, diverse cultures, and also, undeniably, incredible
food! And while fine dining has its place, it's the bustling streets where the real magic happens. Indian street food is an experience, a symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas that tantalize your senses.
This season, ditch the restaurants and embark on a culinary adventure with our guide to 9 must-try vegetarian street foods that will leave you craving for more. Forget calorie counting; it's time to taste tradition!
Popular street food: Pani Puri, a burst of flavors in every bite
First on our list is the ever-popular Pani Puri. These crispy, hollow spheres of happiness are filled with a tangy mixture of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and flavored water. The "pani" itself is the star – a combination of mint, coriander, tamarind, and a blend of aromatic spices.
Each bite is an explosion of flavours, a perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy. You'll find Pani Puri vendors on almost every street corner, each with their own unique twist on the classic recipe. Don't be shy; ask for extra "pani" – they won't mind!
The joy of watching the vendor expertly fill the puris and then popping the whole thing into your mouth is an experience in itself. It's quick, it's cheap, and it's utterly addictive.
South Indian staple, Masala Dosa: crispy crepe with potato masala, sambar, chutney
Next up is Masala Dosa, a South Indian staple that has conquered hearts across the country. This thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter is typically filled with a flavourful potato masala.
Served with sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew) and coconut chutney, it's a complete and satisfying meal. The dosa itself is incredibly versatile; variations include Mysore Masala Dosa (with a spicy red chutney), Paper Dosa (extra thin and crispy), and even chocolate dosa for the adventurous!
Look for vendors who make the dosa fresh on a large, hot griddle – the aroma alone will draw you in. A well-made Masala Dosa should be crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavour.
Aloo Tikki: Iconic Indian street food with crispy exterior and flavorful toppings
No street food tour of India would be complete without Aloo Tikki. These golden-brown potato patties are a symphony of textures and tastes. Boiled potatoes are mashed, spiced, and formed into patties, then shallow-fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Aloo Tikki is typically served with a variety of chutneys – mint-coriander, tamarind, and sometimes even a dollop of sweetened yogurt. Toppings like chopped onions, coriander leaves, and a sprinkle of chaat masala add extra flavour and freshness.
You can find Aloo Tikki served on its own, in a bun (Aloo Tikki Burger), or as part of a chaat platter. The key is to find a vendor who uses fresh ingredients and fries the tikkis to perfection – crispy but not greasy.
Bhel Puri: A flavorful chaat with crispy, crunchy, and soft textures, perfect for snacking on the go
Bhel Puri is a light and refreshing chaat that is made with puffed rice, sev (thin gram flour noodles), chopped onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and a variety of chutneys. The magic of Bhel Puri lies in its texture – a delightful mix of crispy, crunchy, and soft.
The chutneys add a burst of flavour, balancing sweet, sour, and spicy notes. Bhel Puri is usually served in a paper cone or a small bowl, making it a perfect snack to enjoy on the go. You can find Bhel Puri vendors on beaches, near colleges, and in bustling market areas.
Each vendor has their own special blend of spices and chutneys, so don't be afraid to try different versions until you find your favorite. It’s light, flavourful and will keep asking for more.
Chole Bhature - a hearty North Indian dish with spicy chickpea curry and fried bread
Moving on to something a bit more substantial, let's talk about Chole Bhature. This North Indian favourite consists of spicy chickpea curry (chole) served with fried bread (bhature).
The bhature is made from maida (refined wheat flour) and is deep-fried until it puffs up into a golden-brown, pillow-like bread. The chole is typically cooked with a blend of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
It's a hearty and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weekend brunch or a quick lunch. The combination of the spicy chole and the soft, fluffy bhature is simply irresistible. Be warned; Chole Bhature is quite filling, but trust me, you won't regret indulging.
vada pav, Indian burger with potato patty in bun, popular Mumbai street food
Vada Pav is often known as the Indian burger, and is a popular street food from Mumbai. It consists of a deep-fried potato patty (vada) placed inside a soft bun (pav), along with chutneys and a fried green chilli.
The vada is made from mashed potatoes, spices, and gram flour, and is deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The pav is typically smeared with green chutney (made from mint and coriander) and tamarind chutney.
The combination of the spicy vada, the soft pav, and the tangy chutneys makes for a flavourful and satisfying snack. Keep an eye for vendors in Mumbai because they make the best Vada Pav! Vada Pav is so popular; you will see one at every corner.
Dahi Puri: Indian street snack with yogurt, spices, and chutneys
Dahi Puri is kind of similar to Pani Puri, but with a twist. Instead of spicy water, the puris are filled with a mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt (dahi), and chutneys. The yogurt adds a cooling and creamy element to the dish, while the chutneys provide a burst of flavour.
Dahi Puri is typically garnished with sev, coriander leaves, and a sprinkle of chaat masala. One of the cool parts about it is its flavours which can range from sweet, sour and spicy. Dahi Puri is a perfect snack for a hot day. You can look around the streets in any state in India.
indian favorite pav bhaji: spicy veg curry with buttery rolls
Pav Bhaji is known as the all-time favorite of Indians. Pav Bhaji consists of thick and spicy vegetable curry (bhaji) served with butter-toasted bread rolls (pav).
The bhaji is made from a mix of mashed vegetables, including potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrots, cooked with a blend of aromatic spices. The pav is toasted in butter until golden brown and crispy.
Pav Bhaji is typically garnished with chopped onions, coriander leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice. The combination of the spicy bhaji and the buttery pav is simply divine. It’s rich, flavourful, and satisfying.
The perfect snack to share with family and friends or simply just by yourself to feel content.
Steamed Indian momos: popular street food with spicy fillings
Momos, not exactly traditionally Indian but a staple in the streets of India. Momos are steamed dumplings filled with savory vegetables. They are cooked in special steamers, then served with spicy dips. They are soft, flavourful, and incredibly addictive.
You can find Momos being sold almost everywhere in India.
Guide to 9 must-try Indian street foods
So, there you have it – our guide to 9 unforgettable Indian street foods that you must try this season. So, head out and explore the streets and discover your new favorite snack. Enjoy!
