Indian Street Food

Overs the years Indian street food has gained lot of popularity all over the world. The street food in India is the admixture of the variety of flavors that stimulate the taste buds of the tourists as well as the locals in the country. Despite the sudden burgeon of Chinese fast food joints across Indian metropolitan cities convulsing out their monotonous fares of noodles and momos and jejune soups, the grassroot level of street food will always be there.

There are many theories related to the popularity of Indian street food. Some say that the low cost nature of many of the dishes is the key. One of its biggest strengths is that it adapts itself most effortlessly to local tastes. The global popularity of the India street food is largely a consequence of the emigration of large number of Indian from the mainland to the other parts of the world. No matter wherever in India you go, you are certainly to find the Indian restaurant. It may not be the fancy place. It could be the take away selling junk but Indian restaurants are ubiquitous all over the world.

The street food in India varies from state to state. And it is prepared in different styles in different parts of the country. There are so may varieties that it can not be categorized by one name. But I have tried to sum up some of the most favorite items that are popular throughout the country.

Well, I will start with Bhel Puri, which is the mixture of puffed rice with generous servings of 'sev' mixed with chopped onions, oiled potatoes, green chillies and coriander. Bhel Puri is sweet, sour and spicy. The most lovable are Aloo Tikkis – made of smashed potatoes mixed with the salt, red chillies, and flour. They all are mixed together and made into flattened balls that are fried in oil on a huge pan.

Ah! how can I forget to mention about the famous Gol Gappas or Pani Puri. Gal Gappas are the small balls made of flour, that are usually filled with smashed potatoes, spicy sauces, and chutneys, dipped in tangy water and are to be eaten as whole. If you try to take a bite, the balls break and the water flows down. Another exotic item is the Sev Puri – prepared with the hard crunchy papdis and made delicious with the variety of chutneys, raw onions, lime juice and coriander.

Similar to the Sev Puri are the Dahi Puri. The only difference between the two is that we mix sweetened yogurt in Dahi Puri. Try our Samosas – the triangular shaped savory filled with potatoes, peanuts and lot of spices. They are served with sweet and green chutney. Some of the other basic street food items includes Pav Bhaji, Wada Pav, Cholay Samosa, Samosa Chaat, Daho Kachori, Khasta Kachori, Dahi Papdi and many more.

Aparana Chauhan