You’ve probably heard about the Indian street food called chaat, but there are many other types of street foods in India that you might not know about! From gol gappas to bhel puri, these are some of the most popular street foods in India! Ready to dive into this Indian food feast? street foods of India are very tasty.
If you’re traveling through India, you need to be sure to sample some of the delicious street foods available at almost every turn in every city and town. And no matter where you are,
18 Street Foods of India
you’ll probably have your choice of samosas, which are savory pastries filled with spiced potatoes or meat; pakoras, which are doughnuts-like fritters that are either deep-fried or pan-fried; or dosas, which are pancakes made from rice batter and served with an array of spicy sauces and chutneys.
1. Jalebi:
Jalebi: street foods of India
Jalebi is one of the most famous street foods in India. The sweet is made out of refined flour, vegetable oil, sugar, and rose water.
It looks like a funnel but it tastes more than just a simple funnel; it has a scrumptious combination of sugar, fried and delicious flavors. It is often served with ice cream or rabri (Indian milk pudding).
Jalebi can be found on the streets of North India, especially during festivals such as Holi or Diwali. This sweet treat is also served at weddings and other celebrations.
In North India, jalebis are offered to gods before being consumed by people. While you can find jalebis in other parts of India as well, they are not that popular outside Northern states such as Uttar Pradesh or Punjab.
2. Bhel Puri:
Indian street food Bhel Puri: street foods of India
This street food dish, also called Bhel Poori, is made up of rice crispies and puffed rice mixed with peanuts and chili powder.
It’s a popular snack in Mumbai and other cities across Maharashtra state. The dish is eaten with tamarind chutney or mint-coriander chutney, usually on a hot summer day.
If you’re not in India and it isn’t summer, try making it at home! This recipe makes 10 servings. Note: Tamarind can be purchased online if you have trouble finding it at your local grocery store.
After doing some research online, we found that several people experienced negative side effects from consuming too much tamarind—if that’s you, beware! Street Foods of India
3. Aloo Tikki:
Boiling potatoes in hot oil on street side food stall India street food fast food
If you have ever been to Delhi or Mumbai, then chances are you have seen people lining up at aloo tikki stalls. They’re an Indian street food snack that consists of a spiced potato patty fried in oil and served with chutney. Eat them while they’re hot!
If you get tired of eating aloo Tikki all day long, try another famous street food: Bhel Puri. It’s made up mostly out of puffed rice, tamarind and other dried fruits.
The bhel puri is then topped with sev (sprinkled gram lentil crisp) and pomegranate arils or occasionally even lettuce leaves. Street Foods of India
4. Vada Pav:
Vada Pav or Wada Pav, Indian Desi Burger is a street food dish from Mumbai, Maharashtra. Indian street food, Selective focus
It is a popular vegetarian fast food originating from Mumbai, Maharashtra. Street Foods of India It consists of a deep-fried potato patty stuffed in a bun and topped with various chutneys and sauces.
The original variant is known as Vada Pav and it is considered to be one of the symbols of Mumbai. Vada refers to spicy Indian vegetable fritters, while pav means bread roll (from Hindustani). So Vada Pav literally translates to pav/bread stuffed with vadas/vegetable fritters.
It was created in 1966 by Ashok Vaidya at his Dadar-based snack stall on Ganesh festival day. Since then, it has become one of Mumbai’s favorite street foods and is available throughout India as well as overseas communities where Indians reside.
5. Dahi Vada:
Indian tasty street food Dahi Vada , very famous Punjabi food in India
Vada Pav and Misal are probably among your favorite street foods, but a lesser-known delicacy is Dahi Vada. It’s a scrumptious, delicious snack that you must try if you haven’t already. To make it yourself, soak whole moong dal overnight or for 8 hours (in warm water).
The next day, pressure cook it in 1 cup of water for 5 whistles or until soft. Allow to cool and blend into a smooth paste with some salt and oil in a mixer grinder. Keep aside covered for about an hour.
For preparing vadas: Blend soaked black chickpeas, chilies, ginger garlic paste, and coriander leaves with little water in a mixer grinder to form a smooth batter. Street Foods of India
6. Masala Dosa:
Though it originates from Karnataka, masala dosa is a famous street food that you can find almost anywhere in India.
It’s basically a thin pancake made from rice and lentil batter with spicy potatoes stuffed inside. It’s usually served with coconut chutney, which makes it even more delicious!
A plate of masala dosa should cost you less than $2.00 USD. How many places in America can you get good food for just two bucks? That’s why I recommend giving masala dosa a try if you ever visit India.
$1 Indian Lunch Buffet: Indian cuisine has been gaining popularity over the years, especially among younger generations who are open to trying new things.
7. Kebab Rolls:
The most famous street food in India is kebabs and rolls made out of them. These rolls have different names and each region has its own unique take on it.
The kebab roll is a full meal in itself with some kind of meat (lamb/chicken/beef) as filling, tandoori roti, and onions inside with green chutney outside.
The hot spicy flavorful kebab sandwiched between two rotis, together known as a Galilean or golgappa are simply irresistible to any nonvegetarian who visits Delhi(especially in winters).
If you happen to visit Delhi anytime during winter(which would be a great idea if you love street food) then you must try these yummy treats for sure!
8. Maggi Noodles (Maggi Mania Edition):
With over 100+ products, Maggi is one of India’s most popular food brands. This instant-noodle brand was founded in 1886 by Julius Maggi and is a household name all over India.
These noodles are typically flavored with vegetables or spices and served as an appetizer or snack with chutney.
While popularly referred to as Maggi Noodles, Maggi noodles come in many flavors and are often sold under different names such as Maggi Oats Masala Noodles or Maggi Tastemaker Masala Noodles. (Image source: recipe of life)
9. Misal Pav:
Misal Pav or misalpav, Misal Pav with Farsan. Traditional Indian spicy dish made with moth beans (match) and served with farina and bread
Chaat Papdi is one of my favorite street foods in India. It’s a typical Punjabi snack, especially popular in Chandigarh.
Fried papdi topped with a tangy and spicy dip made from yogurt, tamarind, mint chutney, and sprouts. It’s eaten as a chaat or sometimes as a breakfast dish.
There are many variations to Chaat Papdi depending on which region you’re in but if you want to try it at its best then try it at any Food Street stall in Chandigarh! If you happen to be there visit DC food street for sure!
10. Chaat Papdi:
papdi chaat Indian spicy snack isolated in black background
There are many street foods to try in India, but one must not miss out on chaat papdi. Made from besan (chickpeas flour), salt, and spices such as red chili powder, cumin powder, mango powder, etc., served with tangy tamarind chutney and spicy green chilies on top.
It is an excellent food that helps beat hunger pangs at their best. Serving size: It is usually served wrapped in a small piece of newspaper or banana leaf.
How much it costs: INR 8-15 depending on where you order it from.
11. Pani Puri:
Pani Puri is Indian chat item
Deep-fried hollow puri shells are filled with chopped veggies and chaat masala, then topped with fresh cilantro, chutney and spicy water—the pani. It’s a very common street food that is as good as it looks. This traditional snack can be found throughout India at any given time.
The filling options vary from shop to shop, but it always comes down to some delicious combination of vegetables and tangy tamarind or mint chutney.
12. Tandoori Chicken:
Spicy, roasted chicken wings marinated in an authentic Tandoori sauce. Top view, blank space
Tandoori chicken is probably one of the most famous Indian street foods, but you won’t find it on every street corner.
That’s because it takes time to prepare, and you can only do that in a tandoor—an enormous clay oven used to cook bread and other baked goods—which is why you’ll only find authentic tandoori at restaurants.
The best thing about tandoori chicken? It can be made with skinless breasts or thighs, which means even those who are health-conscious will enjoy eating it.
Just don’t expect much spice: The breading on traditional tandoori is typically very mild (to make sure meat stays tender), though you may occasionally come across more flavorful options.
13. Samosa:
Freshly Cooked Indian Popular Famous Snacks Samosa
Samosas are popular street food in many parts of India. A savory pastry, they consist of a triangular crust and typically contain spicy potatoes (or occasionally lentils), peas, onions and green peppers.
Samosas are deep-fried before serving. In addition to samosas, there are multiple other forms of fried foods that are popular throughout India.
Chicken tikka is an example of another fried food commonly eaten throughout India. This particular dish consists simply of chicken breast that has been marinated with yogurt and spices.
It is then grilled over an open flame before being served with pita bread or naan for dipping into various sauces (often yogurt). Another well-known Indian dish is tandoori chicken.
14. Dal Makhani:
dal makhani or dal makhani or daal makhani or kali dal with fresh cream and Coriander topping served in a bowl, isolated
As far as famous street foods in India go, it’s hard to beat a plate of pav bhaji.
This tangy vegetable stew is one of Mumbai’s most popular street foods and can be found throughout India. While pav bhaji may not be as iconic as Indian favorites like tandoori chicken or samosas, it may just be more appetizing—it’s definitely easier to find!
The dish combines potatoes, tomatoes, and other vegetables with butter-toasted bread called pav (hence its name).
Accompaniments include lime wedges, raw onions, and lemon juice for an added kick. It’s so simple and delicious that it has made appearances on restaurant menus across America.
15. Biryani:
Fish Biryani with basmati rice Indian food
Today, biryani is often sold as street food and can be found throughout India. Biryani consists of layers of saffron-infused rice and meat (most commonly chicken or lamb).
It’s generally served with a side of raita (yogurt), salad, or chutney.
The signature flavor in biryani comes from basmati rice that has been layered with spices and meat and then cooked over low heat until each grain has been infused with flavors.
With such long cooking times, there’s no way to mistake biryani for fast food! But don’t let its culinary pedigree fool you; it’s one of the most popular street foods in all of India.
16. Pav Bhaji:
Indian Mumbai food Pav bhaji from vegetables with bread close-up in a bowl on the table. horizontal top view from above
This traditional Maharashtrian dish is believed to have originated from Mumbai and has since spread throughout most of Western and Northern India. It’s a spicy vegetarian curry with mashed vegetables, buns, and tangy tamarind chutney.
Its flavors are simple but comforting. Originally eaten for breakfast or as a snack, it’s now popular street food served at all hours of day or night.
17. Sev Puri:
Indian Traditional Street Food Sevpuri or Katori Chaat
Sev puri, like most street foods, is a snack that’s sold by hawkers. The name means dumpling in Hindi and it has several elements; papadum (papar), potatoes, and onions topped with sev (gram-flour noodles) and tamarind chutney.
It comes wrapped up in paper—hence street food. Tamarind chutney may not be as popular now as it was five or 10 years ago but you can still find roadside vendors selling these snacks across major cities.
The seasoned puffs are crispy from being deep fried, soft from onions, and crunchy from papadum—and incredibly delicious!
18. Lassi:
Variable sizes of cups with lassi, a traditional Indian yogurt drink, at a food stall.Lassi most famous street food of India A traditional Indian drink, Lassi is a mixture of yogurt and water, sometimes flavored with fruits like mango or tamarind.
It’s served everywhere from busy markets to mom-and-pop stands across India.
The drink can be purchased at virtually any time of day, though it tends to be popular late at night after dinner; you can also order a masala lassi – a sweet lassi that comes with an additional topping of ice cream.
Conclusion
That all street food is very cheap and tasty. Whenever you go to the market, you must see their account.
