The Best Street Food in Delhi, India

When thinking of India, it's hard to not get hungry. The national capital, Delhi, is the perfect vacation destination for a real taste bud-pleasing getaway. Delhi is closely surrounded by Nepal, China, Pakistan, and these locations historically influenced by Europe making the local cuisine a one-stop-shop for a mixture of bold flavors, intriguing smells, and generational sights.

Whether you're craving something savory, light, or sweet chances are you'll find multiple options along the diverse streets of Delhi. Back up your bags, and make sure your home insurance types like HO7 are up to date because although most people go to Delhi, India for the architectural and spiritual attractions, the food is the thing that will make you want to stay.

Delhi Variety is Seen in Delhi Food

The culture of Delhi, India is fast-paced and in order to keep up, street food is the way to go so you get the chance to experience authentic Indian cuisine while not missing a beat. Most shops in Delhi have spent generations perfecting traditional Indian cuisine, offering a way for tourists to experience authentic India. 

However, younger, aspiring food-market business owners are arriving causing a culture shift and affecting the food culture. 

Samosas

When in India, it is criminal to not sink your teeth into a hot, savory samosa! The hard part is picking which flavor. A traditional Samosa is packed with potatoes, but newcomers like Samosa Hub are changing the game by packing their samosas with anything from corn to pizza, pasta, and cheese to fruit and chocolate. 

Samosas are starchy, on-the-go snacks, perfect for anyone that wants to get a traditional or modern taste of India while being able to walk the marketplaces, shop, or travel to their next stop. 

Momos

If you're like me, no matter what the weather is you can't help but to want a fresh steaming dumpling, and in Delhi, momos are the taste of nostalgia anyone could ask for. If you've ever experienced Dim Sum, take away the table and chairs, and street momos is what you'll have. 

Since vegetarian diets are popular in India, momos are usually filled with veggies, but it's not uncommon to find recipes with chicken either. 

This is a traditional dish that is found all over India. Since Delhi is one of the closest cities to China, Delhi's momos are the perfect balance of Chinese-styled simplicity paired with the boldness of India. 

Momos and rolls are easy streetside foods that can be dipped in chili oil, chutneys, or momo sauce.

Pani Puri

It's a bird; it's a plane; it's pani puri. These are extremely popular, and with their lightness, are perfect for any time of day. Pani Puri is made by taking lightly fried dough, cracking the top with a spoon, and filling the inside with herb and spice flavored spoonfuls of potatoes, chaat masala, and chutney. 

Almost anywhere where you go in India, you'll be able to find these poppable snack bombs. They are small which makes them great for street cuisine and easy to take multiple bites. There isn't much that I can compare to this dish to do them justice because they truly are a unique experience.

Fruit Chaat

Mouth-watering, refreshing, seasoned, sweet, spicy, and juicy are just a few words to describe this street snack. Honestly, I could eat this for a whole meal. Fruit is already a common favorite food in India, but on the streets of Delhi, they aren't serving up your typical Sunday fruit salad. 

With grapes, pomegranates, and citrus fruits being local, they are what usually make up the base of fruit chaat. Generously added on top is scoops of chana, mixed herbs, and pomegranate seeds. The best way to fully enjoy this is with a lemon soda on the side.

Kulfi

Who doesn't love ice cream? When Americans think of ice cream, we think soft and creamy, but Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream that is served on a stick because of its density. 

With earthy flavors such as pistachio, cardamom, saffron, and rose flavours being the most common, this is the perfect sweet treat to help beat the heat.

Gulab Jamun

If your sweet tooth is still itching, gulab jamun will take care of it. Gulab jamun is a milky, fried dough that simmers in simple syrup before being served. They are squishy balls of delicious joy that you'll want to carry with you for every occasion. 

Such a simple treat, but they don't need much extra to be satisfying. You can enjoy gulab jamun with whipped cream or ice cream. 

Jalebi

Jalebi is the churro/funnel cake love child we've all been waiting for. As soon as I saw this, all I could think was state fair in the street, and if that's not enough to want to dig into one of these sweet treats, I don't know what is. 

Jalebi is a mixture of Indian, South Asian, and Egyption influence that has made itself a staple all over the country. Jalebi is similar to gulab jamun jalebi is a fried dough that gets whipped up in either pretzel or circular shapes before getting a simple syrup coating. 

If you're on the run while in Delhi, this is a bit easier to eat than Gulab jamun, but you'll still want to keep a napkin handy. 

Indian Cuisine Reflects Indian Culture

Indian cuisine reflects all of the beautiful cultures that surround them. With the variety of fruits and spices that are organic to the land, the dishes that come from all over India are beautiful, bold, and colorful. All of the attractions and delicious temptations to lure you in Delhi, India makes a trip that will satisfy everyone. 

If you're looking for spirituality, history, beauty, diversity, and of course, a memorable food experience, then Delhi is the journey for you. There's truly nothing better than experiencing a country through taste buds.

Let the architecture draw you in, allow the spirit of the city to move you, and lose yourself in every dish. Pick your favorite way to get around in India to make sure you experience everything, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before your trip.

About The Author : Danielle Beck-Hunter writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com. She has been introduced to Indian cuisine through friends and travel. Having a passion for cooking and food she's always seeking new recipes and foods to try. Danielle loves learning about different cultures and where better to start than in the kitchen.