Monsoons are finally here, and Delhi is heaving a collective sigh of relief! And with that, months of eating out at air-conditioned places comes to an end. It’s time to hit the streets again for that famous Delhi street food, to get drenched in rain, or sweat while gorging on your favourite street delicacies. Delhi has a rich street food culture, which has been influenced by travellers, rulers, and immigrants, over the centuries. The city spoils one for choice with its various explore-worthy options of street food this season. Here’s what all you can explore.
1. Laphing
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This unique vegetarian delicacy is found outside of New Aruna Nagar, commonly known as Majnu Ka Tila, in North Delhi. Minced soya is rolled in thin, translucent pancakes made of starch, seasoned with salt and served with lots of chilli paste. You can choose to have it dry or soupy, in which case veg stock will be added to the bowl. If you love spice in your food, this is a must-try!
Where: Outside the Monastery- New Aruna Nagar, Majnu Ka Tila, New Delhi
2. Gol Gappa
Image Source: Zomato 
Image Source: Zomato
This fried ball of deliciousness is available at every nook and corner of the city, but for the better ones, you’ll have some travelling to do. Vaishno Chat Bhandar, Kamla Nagar is one of the better-known destinations for the famous Indian snack. Of course, there are other chaat items there as well, so don’t miss those while you’re there.
Where: Vaishno Chat Bhandar- 66-67E, Near Chota Gali Chakkar, Kamla Nagar, New Delhi
3. Chola Bhatura
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Available at almost every 100 meters in Delhi, whether it’s dine-in places, or
roadside carts, you can’t declare anyone the best in Delhi unless you are ready for a swordfight! Nand Di Hatti, Sadar Bazaar, deserves a mention here for two reasons- it’s a street food joint and the uniqueness of the grub on offer.
Being made in pure desi ghee, the bhaturas have a layer of pitthi (batter made of dal) inside, which makes them crisp on the outside and soft inside. The chole is marinated only in spices and are slow-cooked post that. If you are a chola bhatura lover and have not tasted these, you’re not doing justice to your love for this pan Delhi favoured dish.
Where: Nand Di Hatti- 829, Pan Mandi, Sadar Bazaar, Delhi
4. Seekh Kebab
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Any discussion about street food can never be complete without a mention of this universal favourite. Delhi has taken to the seekh kebab like it was born here. We like our meat tender, boneless and spicy. And seekh kebab is all that and more.
For the softest, juiciest and cheapest kebabs, head to Al Nisar, Near Jama Masjid as this street is known, converts to a colourful street food paradise after 6 PM every day. Seekh kebab from here is like nowhere else in Delhi. Remember that most other outlets around Al Nisar will be serving more or less the same stuff, so don’t bother about finding this one, if you can’t. See kebab, go and eat kebab, is the mantra. Ask specifically for mutton, if you’re particular about the meat that you eat.
Where: Al Nisar- Near Jama Masjid Gate no 1, Urdu Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Delhi
5. Kalmi Vada
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This unique chaat item is limited to Delhi, and specifically to Old Delhi. As you get out of Chawri Bazaar Metro Station, the first shop right outside that greets you is Ashok Chaat. Ask for a bhalla, papdi, kalmi vada chaat, and thank me later. As the softness of bhalla and the crispness of the papdi and vada hit your palate, you reach another level of ecstasy! Don’t miss the fabulous gol gappas here as well.
Where: Ashok Chaat- Shop No 3488, Chowk Hauz Kazi, Chawri Bazaar, Delhi
6. Kakori Kebab
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An iconic kebab recipe from a nondescript town called Kakori in UP, this one blows you away with its aroma. Done on a skewer like a seekh kebab, this recipe has different spices and a lot of tenderizers on the minced meat. For the best kakoris in town, visit Alkauser. This is a blink and you miss joint, so trust google maps when it tells you to stop in the middle of nowhere. Have the kebabs piping hot in your car, with brilliant varki paranthas. This joint does a mean korma too, in case you’re fond of curries as well.
Where: Al Kauser- Kautilya Marg, Near Assam Bhavan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Go ahead and make the most of this monsoon season and eat what Dilliwalas are eating.
Shivendu Mittal is a passionate food lover. Follow his exploits and explorations in the Gurgaon Foodie Facebook Group or you can follow him on Instagram.
