Cuisine is one of the great equalizers among people from all walks of life – it’s a delicious way to get to know a new place and its culture. India is especially rich in culinary variety, with 28 states, 8 union territories, and each state boasting its own unique dishes, flavors, and traditions. While it would be impossible to cover all the street foods of India in one article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 street foods that are sure to satisfy your cravings. So next time you’re in India, be sure to check out these delectable street foods and where to find them!
Table of Contents
15 Best Indian Street Foods You Must Try:
Here are some delicious street foods to try the next time you’re out and about on vacation:
- Churros
- Al pastor tacos
- Tamales
- Ceviche
- Pupusas
- Aloo Bonda:
Mangalore Aloo Bonda is a delicious street food that’s easy to find. It’s made with mashed potatoes, spices, coriander, and gram flour, and then deep-fried. It’s usually served with coconut chutney, which makes it even more delicious. If you’re looking for a tasty snack, Mangalore Aloo Bonda is a great option.
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Kerala Fried Fish:
Seafood-lovers rejoice! The smell of deep-fried fish is sure to pull you in and tempt you instantly. A variety of spices are used to marinate the fish before it is fried in oil, resulting in a crispy outer crust and soft, moist inner flesh. Add a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor and enjoy while hot!
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Punugulu:
This popular street food from the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Vijayawada is made with fermented rice batter. The batter is mixed with small sliced onions, coriander, chilies, and then deep-fried in oil. These deep-fried crispy taste yummy when added with tomato or coconut chutney.
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Idiyappam:
This delicious road snack is made with rice flour and widely available on the streets of Tamilnadu and Kerala. A presser is used to push out long strands of noodles that are steamed and served with a delicious combination of curries like avail, egg curry, and spicy fish curry. This filling snack is perfect for the mornings!
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Idli:
Idli is a delicious street food available all over south India. It is steamed, making it a healthy option for many people. Idli is served in many different ways – with karampodi and ghee, or with chutneys made from coconut and peanuts. Idli sambar is an instant and filling roadside food that can be enjoyed by everyone.
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Aloo Tikki:
This roadside food is a popular staple in North India. It’s made with spices, mashed potatoes, peas, and deep-fried to perfection. Serve it hot with sweet and sour chutney for a delicious treat!
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Kaladi Kulcha:
Momos are a kind of street food that originated in Tibet, but can now be found at stalls all over Delhi. They’re so popular that there’s hardly a street stall that doesn’t sell them! You can find momos with all sorts of different fillings, like paneer, mutton, tandoori, gravy, and more. So no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find a momo that you’ll love.
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Momos:
Momos are a type of food that originally came from Tibet, but can now be found at practically any street food stall in Delhi. They’re so popular that there’s usually at least four different varieties available at any given momo stand. From hot and steaming momos filled with paneer or mutton, to tandoori or gravy-based momos, you can find just about anything if you know what you’re looking for.
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Kachori:
Kachori is a delicious and convenient snack that you can find at many street stalls in cities like Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaipur. There are several different types of kachori, each with its own unique filling. Common fillings include onion, peas, potatoes, and lentils, all spiced and garnished to perfection. Kachori is best served with a tangy tamarind chutney on the side.
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Chole Bhature:
This roadside food originated in Punjab but slowly made its way into the hearts of North Indians. Chickpeas are cooked with a lot of spices and served with fried bread, which is usually made with all-purpose flour. A single bite of this yummy street food will transport you to food heaven. The addition of thinly sliced onions and chili makes it even more delicious!
Top 10 Indian Street Food Places 2021:
If you’re looking for some of the best street food in Mumbai, Khau Galli is the place to be. You’ll find stalls selling everything from malpuas and soft nans to mouth-watering kebabs, and all from as early as 8:30 in the morning.
Delhi is another street food paradise, with delicious Jalebis, oily paranthas and chole bhature available on every corner. Chandini Chowk is a particularly popular spot for street food lovers, with a whole line of stalls offering prepared food at affordable prices.
And if you’re ever in Hyderabad, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to street food. As well as being famous for its biryanis, there are stalls selling all kinds of snacks and bites on every corner of the city. Koti is a particularly busy center, with a wide variety of chats and other snacks on offer.
Lucknow is a city well-known for its variety of nawabs and Awadhi cuisine. If you’re looking to indulge in some delicious street food, Lucknow is the place to be – especially if you’re a vegetarian or meat-eater! Make sure to try out some of their signature dishes such as kormas or galouti kebabs, but don’t forget to try a banarasi pan while you’re there.
Amritsar is not only famous for its Wagah border and golden temple, but also for its street food! You’ll be able to find fresh and hot Sarson da saag and makke di roti being sold at lightning speed – it’s almost unbelievable. Be sure to add a glass of lassi with a bowl of gajar ka halwa to your order.
India is a vast and culturally rich country, home to an endless variety of delicious street foods. While you can find all types of foods in every part of the country, for the authentic taste, you need to visit the streets of the place where they originally come from. With this list of Indian street foods at hand, start planning your trip, and don’t forget to taste these yummy licious dishes!